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.

Plan your trip

Stay
What's On
Things to Do
Food & Drink
Shopping

Things to Do Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

What's On Search

Dates

Start Date:

End Date:

Any date in the future

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Food & Drink Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Shopping Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Number of results: 337

, currently showing 161 to 180.

Sort By A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Blackwood Golf Centre

Bangor

Address

150 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1GB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 2706

info@theblackwoodgc.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Premier pay and play golf facility with open Stableford every Friday. Visitors are always most welcome to come along and play the course..

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Mountain Sojourns

Newcastle

Address

195 South Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0HA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 5433

info@mountainsojourns.co.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Holiday

Fiona is an internationally qualified Mountain Leader,offering informative guided mountain hikes and Nordic Walking for groups in Mourne Mountains & Forest Parks in County Down. Other activities include mountain challenges& team building activities.

More Info
Holywood Town Walk and Cultural Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A short historical walk around the town of Holywood

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Stormont Estate

Belfast

Address

Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3LP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9037 8103

stormontemu@finance-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Stormont Estate is a Green Flag Award winning public park recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s best green spaces. On a visit, you can enjoy the beautiful gardens, walking and fitness trails and children’s play park.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Discover Early Christian Down

Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

mail@downcountymuseum.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Discover Early Christian Down. Special tours for groups.
Explore the legacy of St Patrick. Discover the history of Down’s ancient high crosses. See real Early Christian artefacts from local Patrician sites.

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.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4 reviews
Millisle Beach Park

Millisle

Address

Ballywalter Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2HS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

Millisle Beach Park is an area of 150 metres of golden sand and a relatively safe bathing seawater lagoon extending out 50 metres. A jetty, slipways and paddling pool complement the lagoon area.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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

More Info
Eden Pottery

Millise

Address

218 Abbey Road, Millise, 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
Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails

Rostrevor

Address

Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails offer challenging climbs with some serious descents and Ireland's first two official downhill trails and other trails suitable for families to use.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
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.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
676 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…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Delamont Garden Walk

Killyleagh

Address

Delamont Country Park, 90 Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh, County 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
Bloody Bridge River Walk

Newcastle

Address

Bloody Bridge Car Park, Newcastle, Co Down, BT33 0LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This scenic walk leads from the Bloody Bridge car park along the edge of the Bloody Bridge River and back again.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
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
Killynether Wood

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Woodland walk with excellent views of surrounding countryside

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Pisces II: Sea Angling & Sightseeing on Carlingford Lough

Kilkeel

Address

25 Ballynahatten Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 3669

peyton@pisces2.plus.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Daily trips departing from Greencastle and Carlingford on Pisces II, which is a modern, fully licensed vessel with capacity for twelve passengers.

More Info
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
Mourne Mountain Holidays

Address

45 Newtown Road, ROSTREVOR, Co Down, BT34 3BZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7754709111

booking@mournemountainholidays.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Bike Operators

Mourne Mountain Holidays provides mountain bike guiding and lessons in the Mournes.

More Info
Reservoir Views

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A strenuous day walk passing through the heart of the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)