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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Quoile River Walk

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk begins at the Down County Museum, passing the Mound of Down, travelling along the Quoile River taking in sights such as Quoile Countryside Centre and Steamboat Quay.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Derry Churches

Portaferry

Address

11 Cloughey Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

These ruined churches are situated one and a half miles north east of Portaferry on the Tullymally Road, east of the A2 to Cloughey and are signposted from Portaferry.

Price
Free

More Info
Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails

Rostrevor

Address

Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails offer challenging climbs with some serious descents and Ireland's first two official downhill trails and other trails suitable for families to use.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Open Road Skies Cycling Tours

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, Co Down

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Our historical guided tour around Northern Ireland follows in the footsteps of St Patrick; stopping in Downpatrick and Armagh, cycling past Slemish in the Glens of Antrim, and visiting iconic places such as The Giant's Causeway and Belfast.

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Temple Golf Club

Lisburn

Address

60 Church Road, Boardmills, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 6UP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9263 9213

info@templegolf.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Temple is one of the finest 9 hole golf courses in Northern Ireland having hosted the ‘National Nines’ on two consecutive occasions and is a fine challenge for novice and experienced golfers alike.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Sustainable Journeys Ireland

Portaferry

Address

Slanes Point, 38 Ardminnan Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7763 898 074

brigid@sustainablejourneysireland.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Slow down, connect with nature, Irish culture and local people on a guided, coastal walk or coach tour with local, specialist tour guide, Brigid Watson.
You will journey to areas off the beaten track to places which most tourists never see and…

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The Market Cross

Newtownards

Address

High Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7HZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

At the east of High Street in Newtownards the Market Cross was built in 1636 but was destroyed by Commonwealth troops in 1653.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Royal County Down Golf Club

Newcastle

Address

36 Golf Links Road, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 3314

golf@royalcountydown.org

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Royal County Down is located in one of the world's most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Helen's Bay Golf Club

Helen's Bay

Address

Golf Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1TL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 2815

mail@helensbaygc.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Helen’s Bay Golf Club is one of the prettiest golf courses in the North Down/Greater Belfast area. Founded in 1896, it nestles on a gentle hill over Belfast Lough in the middle of a quaint village.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Hillmount BBQ Academy

Gilnahirk, 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.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Spa Golf Club

Ballynahinch

Address

20 Grove Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 2365

info@spagolfclub.net

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Nestling in the Drumlins of County Down Spa Golf Club is considered to be one of Northern Ireland’s premier parkland courses, but don't take my word for this come and play the course and experience it for yourself.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Hillsborough Fort

Royal Hillsborough

Address

The Square, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG

Telephone
0333 320 6000

info@hrp.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Owned by Historic Royal Palaces, Hillsborough Fort was constructed in the 17th Century, and sits nestled in picturesque parkland in the heart of the town. Built to protect the road leading from Carrickfergus to Dublin, the fort has been a place of…

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Warrenpoint Golf Club

Warrenpoint

Address

Lower Dromore Road, Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3LN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4175 3695

office@warrenpointgolf.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

This very attractive parkland course overlooking the dramatic scenery of Carlingford Lough has hosted several high profile events including the Irish Professional Championship and a Ladies’ European Tour.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Ardminnan Golf Club

Portaferry

Address

15 Ardminnan Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1321

info@ardminnan.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Situated in a scenic spot overlooking the Irish Sea and five minutes from both Portaferry and Kircubbin, this nine hole treat is perfect for starting a day’s touring with a quick round featuring water hazards, challenging holes and other parkland.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site