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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Mourne Road Tours - Craft Brewery Tour

Castlewellan

Address

Drumee Gardens, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7368 529 714

info@mourne-road-tours.co.uk

Type

Type:

Brewery/Distillery Tour

Northern Ireland has become one of the most prominent players in the craft beer and gin boom across the world, and this exciting tour will take you to visit three of the region’s biggest players in the industry.

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Tobar Mhuire Heritage Trail

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A tranquil walk in beautifully wooded grounds

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Cuan Marine Services

Portaferry

Address

200a Shore Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4272 8297

b.rogers@cuanmarineservices.co.uk

Type

Type:

Diving & SubAqua

Marine Surveys, diving, sight seeing trips, fishing trips. All year for some activities and June –October fishing

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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

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
SOAK Seaweed Baths

Newcastle

Address

5 South Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0EX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 6002

info@soakseaweedbaths.co.uk

Type

Type:

Spa and Well-being

Soak offers customers a unique experience, a place to be spoiled or to simply ease the body and soothe the mind. Relax in a silky hot seaweed bath in our award winning bathhouse or Revive with a sensual spa treatment in our bespoke treatment rooms.

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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.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Dundrum Castle Woods Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Dundrum Castle Woods

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bloody Bridge Coastal Route

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Coastal path

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Granite Trail (Donard Loop & Bogie Line)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Granite Trail to Thomas’s Mountain is just over 1,100 metres

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Field of Dreams Field Sports

Bangor

Address

55 Upper Gransha Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7QE

Telephone
07872 837 056

info@fieldofdreamsni.com

Type

Type:

Target Sports

Field of Dreams offers a range of field sports, including clay shooting, archery, and air rifle shooting, perfect for family gatherings, corporate events, and stag and hen parties. With expert guidance, safety briefings, and all necessary gear…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Crawfordsburn Country Park, Meadow Walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A gentle walk taking in the Wildflower Meadow, areas of mature woodland, and a coastal stretch. The Wildflower Meadow and 21 acres are a blaze with colour in the summer months when the orchids and wildflowers are in bloom.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Sheepbridge Family Entertainment Centre

Newry

Address

143 Belfast Road, Newry, Newry, Co Down, BT34 1QU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3026 0000

info@sheepbridgeFEC.com

Type

Type:

Ten Pin Bowling

Bridge bowling is an excellent venue for birthday Parties, corporate and team building events or simply for a great day/night out with family and friends. We offer discount for large youth groups as well as budget packages with food 7 Bowls.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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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Corrog Wood

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Short walk through a recently planted deciduous woodland.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Newcastle Centre

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Centre, 10 - 14 Central Promaenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4026

nlc.reception@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Family

With breathtaking backdrops, Newcastle Centre offers a wide range of activities suitable for all ages. From the strenuous to the sociable.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Edenmore Golf & Country Club

Craigavon

Address

67A Steps Road, Donaghcloney, Edenmore, Magheralin, Craigavon, Co Armagh, BT66 7NZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9261 9241

info@edenmore.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Set deep in the Lagan Valley, Edenmore Golf & Country Club is just 20 minutes from Belfast. The Club has a range of facilities for all visitors, including an 18 hole championship Golf Course, Spa, Restaurant, Fitness Suite and onsite accommodation.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
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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Carlingford Lough Cruises

Greencastle

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 800 471 4665

info@carlingfordferry.com

Type

Type:

Boat Tours

A two and a half hour sunset passenger cruise which offers a rare opportunity to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Carlingford Lough and the iconic Haulbowline Lighthouse, guarding the entrance to the Lough.

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The Sound Spa Experience

Lisburn

Address

Temple Shopping Centre, 88 Carryduff Road, Temple, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 6YL

Telephone
+44 (0) 7792 925 128

info@thesoundhealingspa.com

Type

Type:

Health & Wellbeing

The Sound Spa Events & Experiences combine Tessa Ann's carefully curated soundscapes with instrumental sounds, such as gongs, bowls, voice and other instruments to promote wellbeing.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Mourne Alpacas Trekking and Cria Watch Experiences

Dromara

Address

60 Levallyreagh Road, Dromara, County Down, BT25 2DG

Telephone
+44 (0)7918 719 595

bookings@mournealpacas.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Trek with one alpaca, walking in pastures with over 100 more. Your experience includes a fascinating talk about the life of alpacas in our very large breeding herd, followed by a trek leading your own or walking with a friend leading an alpaca,…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
- Ramp to main entrance
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available