Castlewellan Forest Park

About

PUBLIC NOTICE: CASTLEWELLAN FOREST PARK IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOLLOWING THE IMPACT OF STORM EOWYN.  (Latest update: Friday 31 January 2025 at 10am)

Castlewellan Forest Park is located on Forest Park Viewin a dramatic setting of mountains and sea,home to one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world. However, Castlewellan has numerous features that draw wider attention. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. To walk around the forest park's mile-long lake, encountering some intriguing modern sculptures on the way, is to enjoy a great experience of eighteenth-century landscaping.

The planting of the walled Annesley garden, the focus of the arboretum, was begun in the 1850s and rare conifers and maples were later imported directly from Japan. Then came the addition of more rich varieties, including Chilean eucryphias, Australian athrotaxis and pittosporum and Chinese rhododendrons. The arboretum holds many trees with record heights in the British Isles.

One of Northern Ireland's most famous lakes, a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27km of Mountain Bike Trails, Nature Play perfect for the kids, an onsite multi-activity centre, hedge maze and equestrian centre, Castlewellan Forest Park boasts all of this and more making it a must-visit for all ages.

Castlewellan Forest Park is perfect for the kids. ‘Animal Wood’ is designed for four- to eleven-year-olds and is located beside Castlewellan Peace Maze. Featuring a short path, 'Animal Wood' provides lots of opportunities for playing on wild woodland animals including a badger and its den, a red squirrel, and a giant spider. In addition, it boasts a wooden play structure with a tower in the image of The Moorish Tower where children can enjoy the climbing wall, fireman’s pole and rope-bridge over to a hollow tree stump slide and Red Kite nest that are sure to keep the kids entertained!

​​​​​​Dogs are welcome at Castlewellan Forest Park but must be kept under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the Play Park or the Peace Maze.  Please pay attention to any localised safety signage when allowing your dog to swim or drink from the lake.

Beside ‘Animal Wood’ you’ll find the Peace Maze, one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze.

Access available for people with limited mobility on scooter. Manual wheelchairs - the total distance including the Peace Maze and Gardens is around six miles.

Picnic tables and designated barbeque tables are available, these are located adjacent to the main car park. A coffee cart operates during the summer months.

The main activities include, walking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing (with a permit), paddleboarding, horse-riding. Bikes, Kayaks, and Standup Paddle Boards can be hired from Life Adventure.  Please Note: swimming in Castlewellan lake is not permitted unless part of a Newry, Mourne and Down District Council approved event.

Walking Trails include 
Slievenaslat Walk:  2.7 miles 
Moorish Tower Walk:  3.2. miles 
Lakeside Walk: 2.4 miles 
Annesley Garden Walk: 2.2 miles 
Cypress Pond Walk: 3.1 miles 
Bunkers Hill Walk & Play Trail: 1.2 miles