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.

Plan your trip

Stay
What's On
Things to Do
Food & Drink
Shopping

Things to Do Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

What's On Search

Dates

Start Date:

End Date:

Any date in the future

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Food & Drink Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Shopping Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Number of results: 367

, currently showing 261 to 280.

Sort By A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

St Cooey's Wells

Portaferry

Address

Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

The church at St Cooey’s Wells is thought to date from the 7th century but only the foundation stones now remain. The Washing, Eye and Drinking wells in this peaceful, wooded dell are reputed to have healing powers.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Iveagh Ancestry

Banbridge

Address

34 Lough Road, Corbally, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 5PW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4067 1401

iveaghancestry@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Ancestry / Tracing your routes

At Iveagh Ancestry, we believe that the historical journey can give people a stronger sense of identity: we help people find out who they are and where they’re from.

More Info
Redsmith's Forge Coppersmithing Workshops

Millisle

Address

218A Abbey Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0)7926 121 282

redsmithsforge@outlook.com

Price
Price £60.00 to £90.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and courses

Every experience with Redsmith’s Forge results in at least two pieces of jewellery for you to take home and treasure. Our range of workshops are suitable for both beginners and creatives.

Price
Price £60.00 to £90.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Get up & Get on Paddleboarding

Portballintrae & Bangor

Address

Portballintrae Harbour & Helen's Bay, Portballintrae & Bangor, County Antrim, BT57 8RS

Telephone
+44 (0) 7767 443 173

info@getup-geton.co.uk

Type

Type:

Water Sports

Start your paddleboarding journey with Get Up & Get On Paddleboarding. Experience excitement, adventure and a healthy aquatic lifestyle encouraging sights, sounds and smells of nature.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 20:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Clip 'n Climb Dundonald

Address

Dundonald International Ice Bowl, 111 Old Dundonald Road, County Antrim, BT16 1XT

Telephone
+44028 90 487 777

info@clipnclimbdundonald.co.uk

Type

Type:

Climbing

Clip 'n Climb Dundonald is an exciting indoor climbing arena based at Dundonald International Ice Bowl.
With 24 different climbing challenges of varying skills and difficulty, Clip 'n Climb is ideal for all ages from school kids to retired kids.

More Info
Mourne, Cooley, Gullion Way

Newcastle

Address

Mourne Mountains, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0NQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

This breath-taking route is unique mix of three waymarked ways which remain largely undiscovered by the tourist. The 6000 year -old Sand dunes of Murlough bay and beach walking is a nice lead into this stunning cross-border walk.

More Info
Holywood Maypole

Holywood

Address

High Street/Shore Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Holywood's most well known feature is the town's Maypole, the only surviving in Ireland. Early maps show a Maypole has stood on the site since the 1620s and today is still the focus of the May Day Celebrations and Fair in the town.

Price
Free

More Info
Lessans Riding Stables

Saintfield

Address

126 Monlough Road, Saintfield, County Down, BT24 7EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9751 0141

info@lessansridingstables.com

Type

Type:

Equestrian

Lessans Riding Stables is a British Horse Society approved riding school. Lessans offers tuition, trekking and hacking on quiet country roads. Facilities include indoor school and outdoor ménage. Open all year.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Crawfordsburn Country Park, Glen Walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Gently undulating walk through mature beech wood, closely following the course of the Crawford's Burn.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
319 reviews
The Ark Open Farm

Newtownards

Address

296 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 0445

info@thearkopenfarm.co.uk

Type

Type:

Open Farm

The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. It’s home to a huge selection of farm animals and some that are a little more exotic.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Mourne Mountain Holidays

Address

45 Newtown Road, ROSTREVOR, Co Down, BT34 3BZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7754709111

booking@mournemountainholidays.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Bike Operators

Mourne Mountain Holidays provides mountain bike guiding and lessons in the Mournes.

More Info
Dundrum Castle

Dundrum

Address

Castle Hill, Dundrum, County Down, BT33 0NF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Believed to have been built in or around 1177, Dundrum Castle was built by John De Courcy as part of his coastal defence after he invaded Ulster. Dundrum Castle is located on a wooded hill north-west of Dundrum village near Newcastle.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
251 reviews
Life Adventure Centre

Castlewellan

Address

The Forest Park, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 437 70714

iwant@onegreatadventure.com

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

Epic adventures are on offer all year round at Life Adventure Centre. Their extensive range of activities include mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, wet bouldering, rock climbing, sit on top kayaking, coasteering, electric biking and open…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Eastwell Farm Alpacas

Carrowdore

Address

6 Ballyblack Road East, Carrowdore, County Down, BT22 2HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7734 905 152

eastwellfarm@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Whether you're on holiday, celebrating a special occasion, looking for a unique adventure with the kids or just mad about alpacas, this experience will be one to remember and a great activity for all to enjoy. All visits are personal and cater to…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
19 reviews
East Coast Adventure Centre

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Mountain Lodge & East Coast Glamping, 34 Lower Knockbarragh Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3DP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4173 8516

jennifer@eastcoastadventure.com

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

East Coast Adventure Centre - Newry & Mourne Mountain area. Water sports, Cycling, Hiking, School Activities - Family Fun - Glamping - a perfect location outside Rostrevor Village and 5 mins from Warrenpoint

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
65 reviews
Redburn Country Park

Holywood

Address

Old Holywood Road, Holywood, County Down, BT4 2HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3621

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

Redburn Country Park is set on an escarpment above Belfast Lough. There are 7km of pathways with spectacular views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Nendrum Monastic Site

Comber

Address

Mahee Island, Ringneill Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has links to St Patrick in later sources. The monastery consists of 3 round dry stone walled enclosures, one within the other.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Granite Trail (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Granite Trail to Thomas’s Mountain is just over 1,100 metres

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Newry Leisure Centre

Newry

Address

Newry Leisure Centre, 60 Cecil Street, Newry, County Down, BT35 6AU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3190

poolreception@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Swimming Pool

Newry Leisure Centre is a new multi-million pound complex located in the city centre and is Northern Ireland’s latest state of the art leisure complex in the heart of Newry City.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
152 reviews
Silent Valley Mountain Park

Kilkeel

Address

Head Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4HU

Telephone
+44 (0)345 7440 088

waterline@niwater.com

Type

Type:

Lake / Reservoir

The Silent Valley Reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne Mountains and is the main water supply source for most of County Down and a large part of Belfast. The famous Mourne Wall was constructed to enclose the reservoir's catchment area.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking