Activities & Attractions in County Down

Things to do in County Down

The very geography of County Down offers variety in itself. There’s the Mourne mountains sweeping down to the sea. There’s Strangford Lough, the largest lough of its kind in Britain and Ireland. The Ards Peninsula has a sea-bitten flavour all of its own. Head inland, into Bronte Country, and everything changes as rock and sand quickly give way to farmland and woods.

It’s no surprise then that there’s also a wide variety of things to do and see in County Down.

Family fun never grows old here

Start with one of Northern Ireland’s most popular, fun-filled attractions. The Let’s Go Hydro Aqua Park just outside Belfast is packed with all kinds of activities, from open water swimming to waterslides, cable water sports, aqua rugby, tubing, wakeboarding and paddle-boarding. They’ve on-site glamping facilities, meaning you can make a weekend of it too.

Clearsky Adventure Centre at Old Castle Ward on the shores of Strangford Lough is another place where the sky’s the limit when it comes to things to do. Set amidst the remains of a medieval fortress, where scenes from both Vikings and Game of Thrones® were filmed, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. Axe throwing or archery? Cycling or coasteering? Sea safari or star-gazing from a glamping pod? You couldn’t make it all up and, fortunately, you don’t have to because it’s all there waiting for you.

The jewel in the crown – Hillsborough Castle

(Access is only available to the gardens and café during the winter. The Castle reopens in the spring).

Hillsborough Castle is one of the official Royal Palaces and is well worth visiting. It was built in Georgian style and splendour by Wills Hill and is beautifully set in 100 acres of well-tended parkland and gardens. A guided tour of the castle will trace the history of the palace as you move from one opulent room to another, including the magnificent State Rooms, the Red Room and Throne Room. Outside, you’re able to wander the grounds, discovering the restored Walled Garden, Lost Garden and a myriad of winding avenues, paths and lawns. After all that, head for the on-site cafe and gift shop, which are almost reasons to visit in themselves.

From a palace to a castle

Castle Ward, facing Strangford Lough, also offers another face to the world. It was in fact built in two contrasting styles. Why? Because the couple who built it, Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, and his wife, Ann, simply couldn’t agree on the style and décor - and we’re not talking white or magnolia paint here! To compromise, the half of the castle facing the lough is built and decorated in an elaborate Gothic style, while the half facing inland is in a classical Palladian style. If that alone gives you a taste for the place, just wait until you get there. Apart from the house itself, there’s a stable yard which featured heavily in Game of Thrones®, plus cycling, walking, archery, horse-riding and acres of immaculately planted and tended grounds to explore.

Grand indoors to great outdoors – Mournes, Newcastle and more

After all that grandeur, get out and clear your head in the Mourne Mountains, which are perfect for hiking, criss-crossed as they are with countless walking trails and conveniently-placed car parks. Many of the accessible trails and paths will at some point lead you down into Silent Valley or up the slopes of Slieve Donard, or both. Either way, the Mournes make for a breath-taking outdoors experience. Even stepping off a trail to admire the panoramic views across the glittering Irish sea feels like an event in itself. Look out for the Cooley peninsula to the south, the Isle of Man to the north-east, with Mount Snowdon in Wales visible through binoculars on the clearest of days.

It’s a short hop from here to the popular seaside town of Newcastle, with its long silver strand, Royal County Down championship golf course, iconic Slieve Donard hotel and the usual seaside attractions for kids of all ages.

Another option worth exploring is the water, and there’s a lot of it to go around in these parts. Strangford Lough is both immense and intimate at the same time, with harbours, villages, marinas, slipways and quays dotted along its coastline. It’s a great place to take a kayak out for a few hours exploring the many islands, with hire shops and instructors always nearby.

Refuel, revive and imbibe as you explore

County Down plays host to a number of microbreweries, and if craft beer, local gins or homemade wines are of interest, we recommend you add a few of the following to your itinerary.

Shortcross Gin Distillery in Downpatrick, and the Echlinville Distillery out on the Ards peninsula are but a few of the brewers and distillers leading the way in our burgeoning craft drink revival. Each is worth a visit to take in the setting, learn about the perfection of the process, sample the wonderful products, and even take a souvenir - or a bottle - home with you too.

That’s just a whistle-stop tour of some of the highlights of this varied and vibrant county. Hopefully you’ll have found plenty of inspiration above, with more below – so get planning and away you go!

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, we strongly advise checking in advance before you travel to your intended destination to ensure its open and book tickets if applicable.

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Number of results: 332

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Historical Walk Through Dromore

Dromore

Address

Church Street, Dromore, County Down, BT25 1RZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 406 20232

tic@banbridge.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Medium (5-20 miles)

This is an interesting 5 mile self guided, mainly on road walk, in and around the historic town of Dromore, taking in some very pleasant countryside. The town dates back to the 6th century when St. Colman founded a monastery near the site of the…

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Helen's Bay to Whitespots

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Woodland corridor

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
130 reviews
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Downpatrick

Address

The Railway Station, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5779

info@downrail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Steam Railway

Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Hillmount BBQ Academy

Belfast

Address

56/58 Upper Braniel Road, Gilnahirk, Belfast, County Antrim, BT5 7TX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 8213

alan@hillmount.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cookery School

Hillmount offers one of the largest BBQ Showrooms in Ireland with trained specialists to help you make the right decision when choosing your BBQ. View our full range of gas and charcoal grills online at www.hillmount.co.uk.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tobar Mhuire Heritage Trail

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A tranquil walk in beautifully wooded grounds

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ashtonelle Alpacas

Greyabbey

Address

23 Ballywalter Road, Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2RF

Telephone
07796692952

info@ashtonellealpacas.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

Spend up to 45 minutes feeding the alpacas their favourite treats and learning all about them. There will be plenty of time to watch and enjoy the alpacas' company and take as many photographs as you like. You will also have time to see (and feel)…

Dates

From:

1 May 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

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Kirkistown Castle Golf Club

Cloughey

Address

142 Main Road, Cloughey, County Down, BT22 1JA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1233

office@kirkistowncastlegolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Kirkistown Castle Golf Club is situated in the sleepy little village of Cloughey on the eastern seaboard of the Ards Peninsula in County Down, N.Ireland. It is the nearest links golf course to the city of Belfast (about 45 minutes by road)

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Grave

Downpatrick

Address

35 English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4922

info@downcathedral.org

Type

Type:

Cathedral

Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. The patron saint, Patrick is believed to be buried in the nearby graveyard.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bradshaws Brae Driving Range

Newtownards

Address

115 Old Belfast Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4TS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 3484

info@bradshawsbraedrivingrange.co.uk

Type

Type:

Driving Range

18 covered floodlit bays, 10 outside bays.
Also Explanar Teaching centre, resident PGA professional Gordon Fairweather.

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Top Floor Art Gallery and Open Studios

Saintfield

Address

Top Floor Art, 92 Main Street, Saintfield, County Down, BT24 7AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 782 857 0837

buyart@topfloorart.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Emma Whitehead and fine artist Stephen McClean established Top Floor Art Gallery and Studios in 2010 to showcase their art, allow visitors the opportunity to see work in progress and share their enthusiasm for creating new and innovative artworks.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Stormont Estate

Belfast

Address

Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3LP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9037 8103

stormontemu@finance-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Stormont Estate is a Green Flag Award winning public park recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s best green spaces. On a visit, you can enjoy the beautiful gardens, walking and fitness trails and children’s play park.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Revive Saunas & Hot Tubs Wellness Experience

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Mountain Lodge, 34 Lower Knockbarragh Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3DP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 41738516

contact@rostrevormountainlodge.co.uk

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Spa and Well-being

Revive Saunas, Natural Spring Mountain Spa. Where breathtaking views of the Knockbarragh Valley in the Mourne Mountains create the perfect setting for rejuvenation.

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

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Banbridge Golf Club

Banbridge

Address

116 Huntly Road, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3UR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4066 2211

info@banbridgegolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Banbridge Golf Club is situated in the heart of beautiful County Down countryside, conveniently situated 25 miles south of Belfast, easy access from the main Belfast to Dublin Road. A mature parkland course with stunning views over the countryside.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Clough Castle

Clough

Address

Main Street, Clough, County Down, BT30 8TH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

An Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey earthwork castle dating to the late 12th or early 13th century. The motte was built of earth to provide a look-out position and central defence. The bailey provided a space for domestic buildings and livestock.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Clandeboye Way – Helen’s Bay to Whitespots Country Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A woodland walk on a mix of old lanes and tracks

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Angling in the Banbridge District

Banbridge

Address

Various, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3RU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4062 3322

tic@banbridge.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

The Banbridge District is a paradise for the keen game angler, the main areas being at Corbet Lough, Lough Brickland Lake and Upper River Bann. There are also about 10 other small lakes in the area, all of which are open for coarse fishing.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Walk Saint Patrick's Way

Downpatrick

Address

Saint Patrick's Square, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 9000

sales@saintpatrickcentre.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick on Saint Patrick’s Way and discover his story with our Pilgrim Guides around the beautiful medieval town of Downpatrick.

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Mourne Mountains Cycle Route

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, 10-14 Central Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

newcastle.vic@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Cycing in the Mourne Mountains - start at the northern side of the resort of Newcastle and cycle along the A50 towards the market town of Castlewellan. Before Castlewellan, turn left onto Tollymore Road and then right onto Middle Tollymore Road.

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Bangor Castle (City Hall)

Bangor

Address

Castle Park Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TF

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 013 3333

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

This impressive building was built for the Hon Robert Edward Ward and his family in 1852. It is presently the headquarters of Ards and North Down Borough Council who use the mansions spectacular grand salon as the council chamber.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Discover Early Christian Down

Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

mail@downcountymuseum.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Discover Early Christian Down. Special tours for groups.
Explore the legacy of St Patrick. Discover the history of Down’s ancient high crosses. See real Early Christian artefacts from local Patrician sites.

More Info