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: 335

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Holywood Town Walk and Cultural Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A short historical walk around the town of Holywood

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:

Sport/Leisure Centre

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.

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The Magy’s Farm Experience – Where Music Grows

Dromara

Address

59 Dechomet Road, Dromara, County Down, BT25 2HQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7967 976 026

info@magysfarm.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

A unique trip to a contemporary farmhouse and jazz music venue in the Dromara Hills in County Down to meet writer and poet Maggie Doyle who will tell you the story of the small, dairy farm where she grew up and how it has been re-purposed to create…

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Edenmore Golf & Country Club

Craigavon

Address

67A Steps Road, Donaghcloney, Edenmore, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co Armagh, BT66 7NZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9261 9241

info@edenmore.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Set deep in the Lagan Valley, Edenmore Golf & Country Club is just 20 minutes from Belfast. The Club has a range of facilities for all visitors, including an 18 hole championship Golf Course, Spa, Restaurant, Fitness Suite and onsite accommodation.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
The Echlinville Distillery

Kircubbin

Address

62 Gransha Road, Kircubbin, County Down, BT22 1AJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Price
Price £23.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Distillery

Discover how Echlinville Distillery captures the flavour, colour and mouthfeel of their spirits, before settling down to relax and enjoy them in the bar.

Price
Price £23.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Reservoir Views

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A strenuous day walk passing through the heart of the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Goward Dolmen

Hilltown

Address

Goward Road, Hilltown, County Down, BT34 5YL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Goward Dolmen is situated approx 0.4km south of the B8 Castlewellan/Hilltown road on the north west slopes of the Mourne Mountains and is a fine portal tomb surrounded by trees.

Price
Free

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Carnalea Golf Club

Bangor

Address

Station Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1EZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0368

frances@carnaleagolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

There has been a course at Carnalea for over 100 years. Indeed Carnalea became Ireland’s first municipal golf club in 1927. Its beautiful seaside setting has superb views over Belfast Lough and the Antrim hills beyond. Long on history and ...

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Kingsland Pitch And Putt

Bangor

Address

Seacliff Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 5622

Type

Type:

Mini Golf and Pitch and Putt

One nine hole pitch and putt course. Two 18 hole putting greens. 4 Tennis courts.
There is also putting and pitch and putt equipment for hire.
For booking information, please contact Bangor Sportsplex.

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Orlock Point

Address

County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Rocky coastal path with some steep steps.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Electric Mountain Biking on the Castlewellan Red Trail – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Experience the exhilaration of the Castlewellan Red Mountain Bike Trail by E-Bike with our Self-Guided Trail Package

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Granite Trail (Donard Loop & Bogie Line)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

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

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
203 reviews
Dundonald International Ice Bowl

Dundonald

Address

111 Old Dundonald Road, Dundonald, County Down, BT16 1XT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9080 9100

icebowl@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Ice Skating

Enjoy a great day out at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Whether you are looking for a family day out, an evening out with friends or a day out for a school or youth organisation, there is a range of fun packed activities for everyone.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Donaghaguy Reservoir

Newry

Address

Newry Visitor Information Centre, Bagenal's Castle, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3031 3170

newryvic@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

This 1.25 acre trout factory is situated on the outskirts of Warrenpoint. It is a shallow spring fed reservoir stocked monthly with Rainbow and Brown Trout (1.5-8Ib).

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cloughmor Extreme Adventures

Rostrevor

Address

The Square, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3EZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 77 0687 5394

info@cloughmorextreme.com

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

At Cloughmor Extreme Adventures we like to give an experience that everyone will remember.

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Kinedale Donkeys

Ballynahinch

Address

38 Chestnut Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8JQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 73 9354 8583

info@kinedaledonkeys.co.uk

Price
Price £17.00 to £45.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Join Robert and his 25 therapy-trained donkeys for wellness and heritage experiences. You are welcomed to his family's farm in Ballynahinch, in the heart of County Down. Take a breather with Goat Meditation or explore the rolling "drumlins" with a…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £17.00 to £45.00 Activity

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Scrabo Hill

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A walk around Scrabo Hill, part of Scrabo Country Park

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Winterfell Tours - Game of Thrones®

Strangford

Address

Winterfell Castle and Demesne, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7LS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 3933

raven@winterfell-tours.com

Type

Type:

Game of Thrones Experiences

Meet the real-life Direwolf Dogs & explore over 20 key Game of Thrones tour filming location hotspots on the beautiful 1,000-acre ancient sprawling demesne of Old Castle Ward, used for filming the epic adaption of George RR Martins Game of Thrones®…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Delamont Mullagh Walk

Killyleagh

Address

Delamont Country Park, 90 Downpatrick Rd,, Killyleagh, Down, BT30 9TZ

Telephone
03301374366

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

One of the walks at Delamont Country Park. All walks are wheelchair accessible and two mobility rambler scooters are available for use in the park. Car park charge at weekends and daily during the Summer Season.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car 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)