County Down in Northern Ireland offers a rich mix of dramatic landscapes, historic towns, cultural heritage sites, and seaside scenery, ideal for tourists seeking outdoor activities and cultural exploration.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
National Trust curators Elizabeth Green and James Rothwell discuss the history, design and significance of a featured room in Castle Ward, alongside a free-flow meet and greet. The event includes entry to the house and gardens, with the talk taking place in the Castle Ward Theatre.
16 Oct (next Friday)
Guests investigate the fictional 1900 death of a servant at Castle Ward, questioning suspects and gathering clues to solve the mystery. The evening includes welcome drinks, followed by drinks and canapés after the investigation.
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can follow a Hallowe’en trail through Castle Ward’s garden, encountering spooky details and learning about Mary Ward and her “creepy crawly” creations.
Strangford Lough is the UK's largest sea lough and a key wildlife habitat offering outstanding outdoor experiences including wildlife watching, coastal and woodland walks, and boat trips. It features mixed terrains with some wheelchair accessible paths and multiple car parks around the area. Dogs are welcome but should be kept under control.
19 Dec
A Winter Solstice sound spa retreat at Mount Stewart’s Temple of the Winds, led by Tessa Ann and featuring live sound, singing bowls, gentle percussion and periods of stillness. The experience is followed by a light seasonal lunch, with the option to visit the gardens afterward.
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can follow a Halloween-themed sensory trail through Mount Stewart House, discovering stories and magical creatures including witches and dragons.
11 Oct, 15 Nov…
The Backyard Photography Company offers one-to-one dog photography sessions in the grounds of Mount Stewart. A photographer will set up in different locations, and visitors can bring their dogs for a session.
Mount Stewart is a 19th-century historic residence in Northern Ireland featuring a neoclassically refurbished house, expansive themed gardens, and the octagonal Temple of the Winds. Owned by the National Trust, it showcases rich political history and elegant garden design inspired by Mediterranean influences, offering visitors both indoor and outdoor experiences.
3 Nov
An expert-led tour of Rowallane Garden explores its plant life, rhododendron collection and history. Attendees can meet at the welcome hut and join the garden ramble.
29 Oct
A Halloween-themed music and movement session for children aged 0–3, with songs, puppets, music and play led by Squiggles & Giggles.
Rowallane Garden is a noteworthy historic garden in Northern Ireland featuring extensive collections of azaleas, rhododendrons, and penstemons across 50 acres, including walled gardens, woodlands, and meadows, with walking paths and a tea room for visitors.
18–19 Dec
Visitors can explore Mount Stewart’s Christmas-decorated historic house after dark, with Christmas music, activities and entertainment. The event also offers the chance to take photos by the tree, have a hot chocolate and do some Christmas shopping.
27 Nov
A late-night Christmas opening at Mount Stewart, where visitors can explore the historic house decorated for the festive season and enjoy Christmas music, activities and entertainment.
Mount Stewart is a historic Irish demesne featuring beautiful woodland, orchards, farmland, and notable architecture including stable blocks and walled gardens. Visitors can enjoy outdoor walks, themed gardens, and child-friendly areas in a rich landscape steeped in history.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
A guided walk through Castle Ward’s woodlands explores red squirrel behaviour, habitat and conservation, with opportunities to look for signs of squirrel activity and other woodland wildlife.
Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust estate in Northern Ireland featuring distinctive dual architecture, extensive gardens, historic buildings, and visitor amenities including a restaurant and theatre. It offers a blend of indoor and outdoor experiences and is family-friendly.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Shorelife Celebration is a family-focused event exploring shoreline nature and heritage through creative workshops, nature activities, guided walks, talks, demonstrations, screenings and live music. Visitors can also find local food and drink and drop-in activities throughout the day.
Grey Abbey House is a Georgian mansion on the banks of Strangford Lough with gardens rich in unusual flora. Visitors can explore both the historic house and the adjacent Cistercian Abbey ruins. The estate hosts historical and horticultural group visits and provides catering on request.
7–12 Oct, 14–19 Oct…
Visitors can explore historic cabinets in Castle Ward’s Mansion House, revealing objects and curiosities from the collection and the stories behind them. Weekday visits include a guided house tour, while visitors can explore at their own pace on weekends.
Castle Ward is an eccentric 18th-century mansion in County Down featuring contrasting Gothic and Palladian architecture, set within extensive woodland, gardens, and loughside trails. Visitors can tour the Georgian house, explore historic gardens, enjoy family-friendly play zones, and visit filming locations from Game of Thrones. The venue also offers a tea-room, shops, and various trails for walking, cycling, and horse riding.
8 Nov, 29 Nov
The Backyard Photography Company offers one-to-one dog photography sessions in the grounds of Rowallane Garden. Visitors can bring their dog for a session, with digital photographs available to purchase separately afterwards.
7 Nov
A birdwatching event at Strangford Lough where National Trust rangers introduce visitors to wintering birds, wildlife surveys and bird ringing. Attendees can watch for migrating geese, ducks and waders along the shoreline.
21 Mar, 18 Apr…
Join a guided walk around Rowallane Garden led by a volunteer beekeeper, who will explain how to identify bumblebees and record their activity. Attendees can also ask questions about bees.
25 Oct–1 Nov
Rowallowe’en Fun in the Garden is a Halloween family event with outdoor games and treats. Visitors can walk in the old wood, make a scary movie in the Stableyard film studio and join a hunt in the walled garden.
31 Oct
Children aged 4 and up can join Halloween-themed music and movement sessions with Jump, Jiggle and Jive, dancing in the stableyard at Rowallane Garden.
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can walk the Frightful Fernery Halloween trail at Mount Stewart, where ghouls and other eerie figures inspired by folklore and literature have appeared.