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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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
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.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
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)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
88 reviews
Mountpanther Farm Park

Clough

Address

39 Dundrum Road, Clough, County Down, BT30 8SJ

Telephone
07715 644145

info@mountpanther.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

We are a family run farm park based just outside Newcastle, County Down. Established in 2017, we have been providing families with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for over 5 years now.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Spelga Dam

Hilltown

Address

Kilkeel Road, Hilltown, County Down, BT34 5XL

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Lake / Reservoir

Spelga Dam Reservoir sits in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, located approximately 10 miles outside of Newcastle, County Down. A man-made reservoir built in the 1950s by the Belfast engineering firm, R Ferguson and Son. It supplies water to…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Airtastic Entertainment Centre Bangor

Bangor

Address

Units 3-5, South Circular Retail Park, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 174 2933

bangor@air-tastic.com

Type

Type:

Indoor Play Area

Plan your day out at Airtastic Bangor! Our newly upgraded centre features a fantastic range of activities, including our soft play area for younger children, action-packed laser tag, a modern bowling alley, and an incredible Play to Win amusements…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

20 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Kilclief Castle

Strangford

Address

Shore Road, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Kilclief Castle was built between 1413 and 1441, reputedly by John Sely, bishop of Down. This makes it the earliest datable tower-house in County Down and is often used to date other tower-houses in the County.

Price
Free

More Info
Slieve Binnian - Mountain Ways Ireland

Annalong

Address

Carrick Little Car Park, 74 Oldtown Road, Annalong, County Down, BT34 4RW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Visit this magical mountain top landscape which inspired CS Lewis to write The Chronicles of Narnia. Let Mountain Ways Ireland guide you up Slieve Binnian, the third highest of The Mourne peaks, but in our opinion the best.

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Groomsport Beach

Groomsport

Address

Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JP

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Beach

Groomsport has one of Northern Ireland's few fully accessible beaches for all ages and abilities, located close to Bangor in County Down.

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Saul Church

Downpatrick

Address

Saul Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6PE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 4922

info@downcathedral.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Two miles outside Downpatrick is the replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland. Close by, on the crest of Slieve Patrick is a massive statue of St Patrick. Bronze panels illustrate scenes from the life of Ireland's Patron Saint.

Price
Free

More Info
Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve

Address

County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Accessible at low-tide, this walk around Rough Island provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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
Down Arts Centre

Downpatrick

Address

2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

Located in the heart of Downpatrick, Down Arts Centre manages the Season Programme and is the operational base for Arts in Newry, Mourne and Down.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Walk the Mournes

Warrenpoint

Address

56 Burren Road, Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3SA

Telephone
+44 (0) 7974768831

peter@walkthemournes.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

If these mountains could speak, they’d tell tales of hermits, smugglers and fugitives... Join Peter for an unforgettable walking experience amongst the most fabulous scenery.

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Down Leisure Centre

Downpatrick

Address

114 Market Street, Downpatrick, CountyDown, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4026

downleisurecentre@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

State of the art facility including 25m 6 lane pool, learner pool, gym & vitality health suite.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Somme Museum

Newtownards

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 3202

claire@sommeassociation.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

The Museum examines Ireland's role in the 1st World War with special reference to the cross-community involvement in the 3 local volunteer Divisions: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Portaferry Sports Centre

Portaferry

Address

Cloughey Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1ND

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4272 8833

portaferrysc@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

In Portaferry you'll find a comprehensive range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment including free hand weights, kettlebells, TRX bands and a punch bag as well as a range of bookable fitness activities and facilities.

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)
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.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)