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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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)

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tollymore Forest Park - Mountain & Drinns Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A pleasant walk through both conifer and broadleaved woodland passing the Shimna River, duckponds and several points of historical interest. The Drinns Trail is an optional loop for those wishing to have a greater challenge.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ballyquintin Farm

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A coastal grassland walk on the tip of the Ards Peninsula

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Facilities

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

Comber

Address

Castle Street, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 4350

comberlc@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

Comber has a modern well equipped gym and separate heavy weights room, book any number of fitness classes or why not take time to relax and unwind in our health suite.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ballyquintin Point

Portaferry

Address

8 Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5520

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Ballyquintin Nature Reserve includes Ballyquintin Point at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, County Down where the Irish Sea enters Strangford Lough.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
162 reviews
Delamont Country Park

Killyleagh

Address

90 Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh, County Down, BT30 9TZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

delamont.park@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Public Park

Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh offers peace, beauty and tranquillity. The stunning views across Strangford Lough and the relaxing atmosphere make Delamont…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Charges apply for the parking of vehicles.
Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex

Bangor

Address

3 Valentine Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0271

chris.kelly@serco.com

Type

Type:

Swimming Pool

Bangor Aurora Leisure complex is situated in the heart of Bangor. Featuring 3 swimming pools, leisure waters and extensive gym facilities the Aurora offers a great family fun day out.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Banbridge Angling Club - Corbet Lough

Banbridge

Address

Corbet Lough, Aughnacloy Road, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3RU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4062 5039

info@banbridgeanglingclub.com

Type

Type:

Game Fishing

Corbet Lough, under the management of Banbridge Angling Club, is a 70 acre premier trout angling fishery set in the scenic Co Down countryside aganist the backdrop of the famous Mourne Mountains. It has much to offer local anglers and tourists alike.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
91 reviews
Ward Park

Bangor

Address

Hamilton Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

A perfect park in the centre of Bangor. An ideal spot to enjoy the local wildlife and feed the ducks.

Price
Free

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

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
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.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
9 reviews
Hillsborough Forest

Royal Hillsborough

Address

22 Large Park, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AL

margaret.mcavoy@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

The looped walk around the forest lake is a popular choice among bird-watchers, dog walkers, photographers and nature-lovers. Enjoy free entry to the forest, with on site parking available, and almost 200 acres with way-marked routes providing a…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Substantial free parking is available for 137 cars. There are 6 dedicated marked bays available for disabled visitors. Overflow parking is also available during weekends and school holidays. Bicycle racks are available for visitors who wish to cycle to the park, however bicycles are not permitted on the forest trails.
Maghera Church And Round Tower

Newcastle

Address

Carrigs Road, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0JT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Maghera Church and Round Tower is of major historical importance and is among many important heritage sites throughout County Down.

Price
Free

More Info
The GI Trail

Kilkeel

Address

The Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4AX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

gitrail.ni@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

The GI Trail, a Heritage Lottery Funded project aims to map out all the sites at which the American GIs were based in Northern Ireland during The Second World War.

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The Lodge Studio

Dundrum

Address

187 Main Street, Dundrum, County Down, BT33 0LY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4375 1281

croftlodge1@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Set in spectacular surroundings overlooking Dundrum inner Bay these fine Georgian buildings include a working studio for Helen Kerr and Richard Croft with gallery.

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Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex

Newtownards

Address

1 Dairy Hall Lane, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4DB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 2837

ardslc@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex is a modern sports and leisure facility on the edge of Newtownards town.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
685 reviews
Castle Ward

Strangford

Address

Downpatrick Road, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7BA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4488 1204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and…

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Lough Shannagh

Address

Co Down

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lough Shannagh walk leads up hill on the 'Banns Road', an off road farm track. The route circles Lough Shannagh (in an anti-clockwise direction) with a high point of 587m at Carn Mountain. It also follows and crosses the Mourne Wall on places.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Holywood Priory Church

Holywood

Address

High Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Holywood Priory is an intersting and historic site close to the bustling town of Holywood.

Price
Free

More Info
Holywood Motte

Holywood

Address

Brook Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9BB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman castle mound, which probably had a ditch round its base and a timber palisade round the summit.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)