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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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
814 reviews
Tollymore Forest Park

Newcastle

Address

Bryansford Road, Tollymore Park, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0PR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 2428

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking - There is a charge for parking in Tollymore Forest Park.
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
Donaghadee Town Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This urban walk provides an opportunity to learn more about the buildings, monuments and streetscapes which have given the town its historical character.
Millisle Beach is a nearby attraction.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Dundrum Castle Woods Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Dundrum Castle Woods

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Greencastle Royal Castle

Kilkeel

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Commanding the mouth of Carlingford Lough, the Castle has an eventful history. It was built in the 13th century, taken by Edward Bruce in 1316, attacked at least twice by the Irish in the late 14th century and maintained as a garrison up to 1590.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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)
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

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Portaferry Castle

Portaferry

Address

Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

Portaferry Castle is a 16th Century tower-house, built by the Savage family. It is located on the slope overlooking Portaferry harbour.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Hen, Cock and Pigeon Rock

Newry

Address

Newry, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A circular route in the western Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bangor Seafront

Bangor

Address

Bangor Seafront, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Marinas

Picturesque promenade, leading from town centre to coastal path, past the prestigious marina. Sites include historic McKee Clock, Bregenz House the Headquarters of HM Coastguard, and Pickie Funpark.

More Info
Facilities

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

More Info
Knock Golf Club

Belfast

Address

Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast, County Antrim, BT16 2QX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9048 3251

knockgolfclub@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Designed in the early 1920’s by a top team of English golf architects, Colt, Mackenzie and Allison.
Knock has developed into one of Ireland’s finest inland courses - the par of 70 is reputed to rank among the toughest in the country.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Ballymenoch Park

Holywood

Address

Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT19 6JF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

A lovely park perfect for families located only a short distance from Holywood.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
39 reviews
Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve and Countryside Centre

Downpatrick

Address

Quoile Countryside Centre, 5 Quay Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7JB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5520

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

The Reserve provides a relaxing natural retreat and offers visitors tranquil riverside and woodland walks.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Free Car Parking is available all year round with 4 car parks to choose from. One is located on the Quoile Road, another at the Quoile Countryside Centre on Quay Road and two additional parking areas further along Quay Road.
Ardglass Golf Club

Ardglass

Address

4 Castle Place, Ardglass, County Down, BT30 7TP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4484 1219

golf@ardglassgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Links Golf Course

Located 30miles from Belfast on the beautiful County Down coast, Ardglass Golf Club is links as it should be.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Eden Pottery

Millilse

Address

218 Abbey Road, Millilse, County Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9186 2300

sales@edenpotteryshop.co.uk

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

Eden Pottery's studio, shop and café are set in the countryside of Ards Peninsula, surrounded by fields, with Strangford Lough on one side and beaches and the seaside on the other. You can come along and create your own masterpiece in the studio.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
387 reviews
Let's Go Hydro Resort & Spa

Carryduff

Address

1 Mealough Road, Carryduff, County Down, BT8 8GB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9081 4662

info@letsgohydro.com

Type

Type:

Water Sports

If you enjoy water-based fun, then Let’s Go Hydro is a must visit. The impressive outdoor attraction, including an inflatable floating obstacle course, provides fun for all. The course features an XXL Tower, slides, climbing wall, hurdles, wiggle…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Eastwell Farm Alpacas

Carrowdore

Address

6 Ballyblack Road East, Carrowdore, County Down, BT22 2HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7734 905 152

eastwellfarm@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Whether you're on holiday, celebrating a special occasion, looking for a unique adventure with the kids or just mad about alpacas, this experience will be one to remember and a great activity for all to enjoy. All visits are personal and cater to…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Clandeboye Way – Helen’s Bay to Whitespots Country Park

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A woodland walk on a mix of old lanes and tracks

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Gransha Equestrian Centre

Bangor

Address

10 Kerrs Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7QD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7855 462 614

granshariding@yahoo.com

Type

Type:

Equestrian

At Gransha Equestrian Centre we welcome beginners and more experienced riders. We can taylor a ride out or lesson in any of our 4 arenas to suit your individual requirements on our lovely horses and ponies, accompanied by our friendly qualified staff

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking