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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Kiri Cottage Crafts

Ardkeen

Address

Kiri Cottage, 6 Loughdoo Road, Ardkeen, County Down, BT22 1HJ

Telephone
+44 (0)7968 342 928

kiricottagecrafts@aol.com

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

Spinner, dyeing and knitting expert Christine Casey will help you find pleasure in the possibilities of wool. She empowers people with the knowledge, and hands on skills to go home and make. People with all level of skill can benefit from a trip to…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
51 reviews
Ballycopeland Windmill

Millisle

Address

Windmill Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2DS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Windmill

Late 18th-century tower mill in use until 1915 and still in working order. Take a virtual tour and discover this unique building.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport

Address

The Harbour, Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9109 3038

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Take a step back in time with a visit to the lovingly restored Cockle Row Cottages located beside the harbour, Groomsport.

Dates

From:

5 June 2026to14 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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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Rowallane Garden - Woodland Walk

Saintfield

Address

Crossgar Road, Saintfield, County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Whatever the season there's always something new to see at Rowallane Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in Northern Ireland.
Carved from the County Down landscape, the garden has grown from the 19th century beginnings of the Reverend John…

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Slieve Donard (via Glen River)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Slieve Donard at 850m (2,789 ft) is the highest of the Mourne Mtns. The views from the summit are extensive and on a clear day the Isle of Man, Wicklow, Donegal, Wales and Scotland may be seen, as well as the long stretch of Newcastle Beach.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Heli Power

Newtownards

Address

61 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8SG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 1971

info@helipower.co.uk

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Heli Power is a well established Helicopter flight training school for beginners or experienced flyers. We also offer tours of Northern Ireland, transport for wedding and golf parties and many more tailor made packages.

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Tollymore Forest Park - Arboretum Path

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Follow the blue waymarker arrows along this trail, passing along the lower edge of the arboretum. The trail gently descends through a stand of semi-mature broad leaved trees before entering the forest plots area.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Mahee Castle

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:

Castle / Fort

This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. The house was built in 1570 by an English soldier called Captain Browne. Today, it is badly ruined but still of considerable interest.

Price
Free

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Crawfordsburn Country Park, Coastal Walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk ambles through a hay meadow, which is full of wild flowers in the summer months. The route then leads along sandy beaches, including Crawfordsburn Beach and Helen's Bay.
Grey Point Fort is a restored coastal battery.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ballyhafry & Beyond by Electric Bike– Bike Mourne

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Forest Park, Rostrevor, County Down, BT33 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Experience Mourne by road with our Self-Guided Tour of the townlands of Ballyhafry, Ballymagreehan, Ballymaginaghy & Beyond by Electric Bike.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Narnia Trail

Rostrevor

Address

Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44(0)33 0137 4046

kilbroney.park@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The famous writer, C S Lewis, as a young boy, spent much holiday time in the Mournes and Rostrevor in particular, allowing him to imagine, dream and wonder, and inspiring his creation of the magical world of Narnia.

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Eisenhower Pier

Bangor

Address

The Seafront, Quay Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Marinas

At the seafront in the City of Bangor in Ards and North Down, a short stroll from the promenade, past Bregenz House (Headquarters to HM Coastguard), takes you to the Eisenhower Pier

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Stormont Woodland Walks & Fitness Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only five miles out of the city, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
194 reviews
Seaforde Gardens and Tropical Butterfly House

Seaforde

Address

Seaforde, Seaforde Demesne, Seaforde, County Down, BT30 8PG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4481 1225

info@seafordegardens.com

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Seaforde Gardens, Maze and Tropical Butterfly House promises a truly plant rich and nature-filled experience for visitors. Situated in the historic Demesne of Seaforde in County Down, which has been a family home for almost 400 years, visitors will…

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Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails

Castlewellan

Address

Castlewellan Forest Park, Forest Park View, Castlewellan, Co Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Castlewellan Forest Park, with green, blue and red grade trails (including black options) is a must-visit for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.

Dates

From:

1 Nov 2025to28 Feb 2026

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Whitewater Brewery Tours and Tap Room

Castlewellan

Address

Lakeside Brae, Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9RH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 8900

brewery.whitewater@gmail.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Brewery/Distillery Tour

Join us for a look around our brewery, see how we make some of our award winning brews, then head back to the Tap House where you can try some ales and hear some tales.

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Ins, Outs & Whereabouts of the Silent Valley by E-Bike – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Experience Mourne by road with our self-guided tour of the Ins, Outs and Whereabouts of the Silent Valley by Electric Bike.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Irish Monastic Tours

Belfast

Address

35 Ava Avenue, Ballynafoy, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT7 3BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7513 295 292

theresecullen@irishmonastictours.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Irish Monastic Tours offers expert-led guided tours to some of the most historic and evocative sites on the island of Ireland. From settlements of the earliest inhabitants to the island to the most venerated sites associated with its Saints.

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