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: 332

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Kilkeel Harbour

Kilkeel

Address

The Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel, Down, BT34 4AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

kdakilkeel@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Kilkeel Harbour was developed in the 1800s and is now home to Northern Irelands largest fishing fleet. In the ealy days schooners exported granite, potatoes and grain and imported coal, bricks etc.
It is also home to `Salt n Pepper' the resident…

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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)
Delamont Corbally 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 Delamont Country Park Walks. 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
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.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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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The Brandy Pad Smugglers Route - Mountain Ways Ireland

Newcastle

Address

Bloody Bridge, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Mountain Ways Ireland will guide you along The Brandy Pad ,a beautiful old Smuggling route through the heart of The High Mournes. Listen to the stories of the smugglers and the men who built the mighty Mourne wall.

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Ballydugan Medieval Settlement

Downpatrick

Address

Drumcullan Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 8HZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7731 441 978

magnusvikings@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Themed

Interactive Medieval history Village, offering the opportunity to step back in time and learn about the Dark Ages in Ireland.

Dates

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
48 reviews
Castle Park

Bangor

Address

Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Stroll through this beautiful wooded wonderland which is an exhilarating experience throughout the seasons.

Price
Free

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Carlingford Lough Ferry

Greencastle

Address

80 Greencastle Pier Road, Greencastle, County Down, BT34 4LR

Telephone
+44 (0) 80 0471 4665

info@carlingfordferry.com

Type

Type:

Boat Tours

Carlingford Lough Ferry, a voyage of discovery & unforgettable scenery as you cross the lough of myths and legends.

Dates

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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
Brack Tours Northern Ireland

Newry

Address

6 Margaret Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 1DF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3044 5060

info@bracktours.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Our bespoke customized tours are carefully planned to offer the best value and memorable touring experience, in conjunction with unique accommodation providers and immersive, cultural experiences delivered by our “Giant Hosts” and Experience…

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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.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Fairy Glen - linear walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Fairy Glen in Rostrevor provides a pleasant venue for a short stroll. From the centre of Rostrevor village, go down Bridge Street. The Fairy Glen is on the left immediately after the bridge beside the entrance to Kilbroney Park.

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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.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Moira Demesne

Moira

Address

110 Main Street, Moira, County Down, BT67 0DS

Telephone
028 9244 7300

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Moira Demesne is a parkland offering beautiful walks, picnic sites and a children's play area.

Price
Free

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Scrabo Country Park

Newtownards

Address

203A Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 1491

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

This charming park is situated around the upper slopes and top of Scrabo Hill, near the area of Newtownards. When visitors come and explore, they will be able to view the panoramic sights of Strangford Lough as well as the surrounding countryside.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Delamont Strangford 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 Delamont Country Park Walks. 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
Finnebrogue Woods Gourmet Wild Food and Foraging

Downpatrick

Address

26 Killyleagh Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 9BL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4410 3104

gowild@finnebroguewoods.com

Price
Price £80.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

On your foraging walk through the woods with our resident expert Bushman Rob, you will be safely guided through identifying and collecting seasonal wild edibles of greens, herbs, vegetables, fungi and berries. With Rob's expert eye you will explore,…

Dates

From:
23 Sept 2026

Price
Price £80.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Slieve Donard Tour - Mountain Ways Ireland

Newcastle

Address

Slieve Donard, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0GR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

This is the one that everybody wants to do.Let Mountain ways Ireland guide you, 853 m up to the roof of Ulster.For the first part we trace cascading river pools and channels through a fragrant pine forest.
The Mountain rises beyond!

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Lecale Way

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Long, flat walk around very scenic coastline

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)