Family Fun Break 

Day 1

Morning: Take the kids on a trip to the Victorian Playroom at Castleward or, if it is fine weather, why not try the Adventure Park and Orienteering Course

Afternoon: Summer option: a choice of beautiful beaches with rockpools and castles to explore, only 5 minutes drive. Cooler climates: follow the life story of St Patrick in St Patricks Centre, Downpatrick or step back in time at Down County Museum. Finish your day with an exciting choice of food for children and adults alike at The Cuan.

Day 2

Morning: Why not treat yourself and your family to a fun family to a fun family picnic in the scenic surroundings of Delamont Country Park, a play in the Adventure Playground or enjoy the wonderful wildlife on one of its five leisurely rural trails.

Afternoon: Stroll along the sandy beach at Newcastle or, if the kids like the splashing but not the sand, there is the heated outdoor fun pool at Tropicana which caters for children (and adults) of all ages. (summer only)

Day 3

Morning:Catch the ferry across Strangford Lough to Portaferry for the chance to hold a starfish, or even a pet shark, at the Exploris Aquarium!

Afternoon:Enjoy the great outdoors! Make a splash or conquer a mountain with activities co-ordinated by Peak Discovery. The kids will love it and thebig folks too!

Family Fun

Stimulating, entertaining and bags of fun, Down District is perfect for families. Let kids go crazy at Newcastle's Tropicana and Coco's, enjoy picnics in forest parks, walk along Newcastle & Murlough beach, hire a boat, go fishing, what more could a family want!

Ardglass

Triton Marine Charter Services
17 Whiterock Drive, Ardglass, Downpatrick, 028 4484 2865
Email: enquiries@tritonexplorer.com

Triton Explorer is a charter boat capable of carrying up to 12 passengers, perfect for bird watching, Photography and Coastal Tours.

• Available for:  schools and college who are welcome to charter the boat for whatever activity they require whether it is educational or recreational for instance, charting local wrecks and land marks for history, using the underwater camera and video equipment to study marine life for science or fishing just to give the students a hard earned break.
  
• Angling and Diving
• Bird watching
• Photography
• Coastal Tours

Castlewellan

Blue Lough Mountain & Water Sports Centre
The Grange Courtyard, Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan.
Tel: 028437 70715  Fax: 028 4377 1865
Email: info@mountainandwater.com

Bluelough Mountain and Water Sports Centre occupies the 18th century Grange Courtyard in the 1200 acre Castlewellan Forest Park. We are situated right in the heart of the Mourne area of outstanding natural Beauty and only a short distance from the high Mournes and the sea loughs of Strangford and Carlingford.

Throughout the year we have a fantastic range of mountain and water sports on offer at all levels - Rockclimbing, Abseiling, Hillwalking, Mountain Scrambles, Orienteering, Archery, Bouldering, Coasteering, Tyroleans, Raft Building, Canoeing, Kayaking, White-ater Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Kayak Touring Voyaging, etc....  for more information on activies and courses visit our website. 

The Highpoint Group
The Corncrane Building, Lower Square, Castlewellan
Tel: 028437 70714
Email: stephen@thehighpointgroup.com

Outdoor activities including canoeing, archery, rock climbing etc.

Castlewellan Peace Maze
Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan
Tel:

The Peace Maze is in an area of 2.7 acres planted with 6,000 Yew trees, forming the largest hedge maze in the world. The time taken to solve the puzzle of the maze will vary but the average time should be about 40 minutes.

Predator Combat Games
7a Dundrinne Rise, Castlewellan
Tel: 028 437 70566  Mobile: 07989 301 740

Home of the Ultimate Combat Simulation - Predator Combat Games is the largest Airsoft site in Ireland! Prepare for an adrenalin pumping, fast action and exhilarating experience.!

The Co Down Mighty Maize Maze
Ballybannon Road, Castlewellan
Tel: 028 437 78281 or 07753 464999

Admission: Adults: 4.50; Child £3.50; Family £14.00 (2 adults + 2 children)

Activities: Have fun in the Giant 6 acre Maize Maze. Find the clues and solve the puzzle then .. Mini Diggers, Go Karts, Motorised cars, Sand Pit, Splash Zone, Dino Football Game, Trampolines, Quad Train Ride, Puzzles or try your hand at Giant Garden Games, Laser Clay Pigeon Shoot, and Frisbee Golf. Some activities are an extra charge. 

Also - from the shop, sweets, toys, tea/coffee, cold drinks, ice cream and freshly BBQ'd hot dogs and burgers.

Located at the foot of the Mourne Mountains just 4 miles from Newcastle and 3 miles from Castlewellan. The Maze is sign posted off the A25 between Castlewellan and Clough.

Downpatrick

Tyrella Beach
Tel/Fax 02844 828333

With its miles of sandy beach, sparkling clean water and walks through the dunes, Tyrella Beach and Dune Conservation Area is a firm favourite with olidaymakers. Tyrella has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Award from 1997-2004 in recognition of high levels of beach cleanliness, safety, water quality and management. it has also been recommended by the Good Beach Guide as safe for bathing. Beach Centre, gift shop, disabled access.
Opening Hours: Open all year. Warden service - summer season only. Admission: Car £3.00, Motorcycle £1.50, Minibus £8.00, Coach £25.00.
Directions: Tyrella Beach is situated on the A2 Killough to Clough Road, 11km from Downpatrick and 8km from Newcastle.

Dundrum

Mountpanther Farm Park
Between Dundrum and Clough
Tel: 07887 988983

Admission: Adults: £4.50; children under 15 £3.50; Family of Five £16.00; OAP's £2.00

Come and see County Down's newest and most exciting Farm Park, see Laurence the Camel, Antonio the minature Zebu Bull, Walla `A' and Walla `B' the Australian Wallabies, Holly the pygmy goat and her twin kids, Ali G and `Fish' the Alpaccas, Tina Turner the mini horse and many more favourites.

Climbing Frames, Trampolines, Tea & Coffee or bring your own picnic

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 1.00pm - 5.00pm

Directions: On the main road between Clough and Dundrum

Newcastle

Coco's Indoor Adventure Playground
27a Central Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down
Tel 028437 26226
For children from 2-14 years.

Open all year round.
Kids will have the time of their lives at Coco's fabulous Adventure Playground
Opening hours: Weekends, Easter and Summer Season 10.00am - 9.00pm. Off season, weekdays 1.30pm to 8.00pm extended hours for schools and groups
Admission: Children £4.00, Toddlers £3.00
Directions: On opposite side of street from Newcastle Tourist Information Centre.

Tropicana
Central Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down
Tel 02843725034

Tropicana is real family entertainment paradise, offering outdoor heated seawater fun pools, and giant slide.
Opening Hours: Open weekends in June. July & August open 7 days a week. Contact Tropicana for times.
Admission: Under 8 £1.80, Over 8 £2.30, OAP £1.00, Adult non swim £1.00, after 6.00pm £1.20, under review.
Directions: Come down main street onto Central Promenade, Tropicana is situated on left. 

Rock Pool
South Promenade, Newcastle
Tel: 028437 25034
Come along to the Rock Pool and enjoy, swimming lessons, lifesaving lessons, and public swimming in Newcastle's famous landmark pool.
Opening Hours: July & August 7 days a week
Directions: Drive down Main Street, Central Promenade, Rock Pool is situated on South Promenade, on left hand side

Surfin'Dirt - Ireland's First ATB Centre
Track Address: Tullyree Road, Bryansford, Newcastle
Tel: 07739210119  Fax: 028 40632755
Email: info@surfindirt.co.uk

Located in the spectacular surroundings of the Mourne Mountains, Surfin' Dirt mountain board centre provides a new and exciting venue for mountain boarders of all skills and ages.

Beginners have the opportunity to learn and develop skills on the nursery slope, while more advanced riders will enjoy the long carving runs, jumps
and features of the main hill. We have all the boards and safety gear for hire, instruction from ATBA qualified instructors, as well as boards, equipment, clothing and accessories for sale.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult who must sign a disclaimer

Fifty Six Indoor Skatepark
56 Main Street, Newcastle Tel: 028437 25556
Indoor Skatepark - bring you own board - helmets and protective gear must be worn and can be rented or purchased. Skate school for novices will be run at weekends.

Winter Opening Hours: Friday 5.00pm - 9.00pm; Saturday 3.00pm - 7.00pm; Sunday 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Skate School: Tuesday 6.00pm - 8.00pm; Saturday 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Groups by arrangement: 028 437 25556 or 07739210119

Seaforde

Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House
Seaforde Demesne
Tel: 028 4481 1225, Fax: 028 4481 1370
Hundreds of free flying tropical butterflies, also parrots, reptiles,
and insects, beautiful gardens with many rare trees and shrubs, also maze.
Opening Hours for Butterfly House:
Easter - Sept; Mon - Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sun 1.00pm - 6.00pm.
Gardens open all year Mon-Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sun 1.00pm - 6.00pm