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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Ballymacormick Point

Bangor

Address

Bangor, Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Rocky coastal path with some steep steps.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Orlock Point

Address

County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Rocky coastal path with some steep steps.

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
Derry Churches

Portaferry

Address

11 Cloughey Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

These ruined churches are situated one and a half miles north east of Portaferry on the Tullymally Road, east of the A2 to Cloughey and are signposted from Portaferry.

Price
Free

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
232 reviews
Scrabo Tower

Newtownards

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Tower

At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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

Castlewellan

Address

11 Burrenreagh Road, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7519 882 372

info@mournearchery.co.uk

Type

Type:

Archery

Located close to Newcastle, the Mourne Archery Centre is an activity suitable for individuals, families and private groups. Catering for up to 25 people at a time, the centre provides instruction and appropriate equipment for all ages in a safe and…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Electric Mountain Biking on the Castlewellan Red Trail – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

The Forest Park, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Experience the exhilaration of the Castlewellan Red Mountain Bike Trail by E-Bike with our Self-Guided Trail Package

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Lough Shannagh - The Heart of the Mournes - Mountain Ways Ireland

Kilkeel

Address

The Game Keeper Lodge, 270 Moyad Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Trek to the heart of The Mournes as we trace the fascinating story of Granite.We'll demonstrate this ancient art and also visit the largest and most beautiful natural mountain lake with views far below into the stunning Mountain reservoirs.

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Walk Saint Patrick's Way

Downpatrick

Address

Saint Patrick's Square, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 9000

sales@saintpatrickcentre.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick on Saint Patrick’s Way and discover his story with our Pilgrim Guides around the beautiful medieval town of Downpatrick.

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Bright Castle Golf Course

Downpatrick

Address

14 Coniamstown Road, Bright, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 8LU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4484 1319

brightcastlegolfclub@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Bright Castle Golf Club is a 18 hole parkland course located in County Down with stunning views of the Mourne Mountains and nearby Bright Castle.

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Kiltonga Nature Reserve

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lakeland walk with wildfowl

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
The Bradley Gallery

Bangor

Address

105-107 High Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5BD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9147 3508

info@terrybradley.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

Destination spot for Terry Bradley collectors and art enthusiasts from across the globe. Whether you are passing through or spending the day on the beautiful Peninsula, be sure to pop in and experience all that Bradley Art has to offer.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

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

Establishment Features
- Wifi
North Down Coastal Path

Address

Extends from Holywood to Orlock near Donaghadee, County Down

Telephone
028 9127 0069

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This relatively flat scenic coastline known as the North Down Coastal Path extends from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east. The path passes through coastline and parkland. Historic relics and flora and fauna are found in abundance, including…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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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Dromore Motte and Bailey

Dromore

Address

Mount Street, Dromore, County Down, BT25 1FA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Dromore Mound or Dromore Motte and Bailey as it is commonly known is the best preserved and most impressive Anglo-Norman motte and bailey structure in Ulster. It was built by Sir John de Courcy after the Norman Conquest in the 13th Century.

Price
Free

More Info
Ashtonelle Alpacas

Greyabbey

Address

23 Ballywalter Road, Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2RF

Telephone
07796692952

info@ashtonellealpacas.co.uk

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

Spend up to 45 minutes feeding the alpacas their favourite treats and learning all about them. There will be plenty of time to watch and enjoy the alpacas' company and take as many photographs as you like. You will also have time to see (and feel)…

Dates

From:

1 May 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

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
Hillsborough Fort

Royal Hillsborough

Address

The Square, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG

Telephone
0333 320 6000

info@hrp.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Owned by Historic Royal Palaces, Hillsborough Fort was constructed in the 17th Century, and sits nestled in picturesque parkland in the heart of the town. Built to protect the road leading from Carrickfergus to Dublin, the fort has been a place of…

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Castlewellan Peace Maze

Castlewellan

Address

Castlewellan Forest Park, Forest Park View, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

castlewellanpark@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Maze

Castlewellan Peace Maze, is one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bike Mourne

Address

Various Locations, Castlewellan/Rostrevor, County Down, BT319BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling and Mountain Biking

Experience the Mournes by bike on road, track and trail with the guided and self-guided bike and electric bike tours or do it yourself with bike and electric bike hire. Explore the majestic mountains, dramatic coasts, stunning landscapes,…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available