Explore the castles, parklands and seascapes of Down's endlessly fascinating countryside. Where deep green forests, warm sunlit pastures and secluded beaches welcome you to a holiday that will live forever in your memory
Castle Ward
Near Strangford, Downpatrick, BT30 7LS
Email: castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk
Within this beautiful 750 acre walled estate you will find woodland walks, an exotic sunken garden and paths that open on to the tranquil shores of Strangford Lough.
Opening Hours: Grounds October-April 10.00am-4.00pm daily, May-September 10.00am-8.00 daily
House & Wildlife Centre: march 13th - April w/ends (inc 9-18 April) 1.00-6.00pm; May daily except Tuesday 1.00pm-6.00pm; June-August 1.00pm-6.00pm daily; Sept-oct - weekends 1.00pm-6.00pm
Last House tour starts 5.00pm
Charges:Grounds and Wildlife Centre Adults £3.50; Child £1.50; Family £8.00
Grounds, Wildlife Centre and House Tour Adults £5.00; Child £2.30; Family £10.80; Group £4.00, Group outside normal hours £5.00
Castlewellan Forest Park
The Grange, Castlewellan
Tel 028437 78664 Fax 0284377 1762
Way marked trails found the lake and forest, plus a fascinating arboretum. new attraction - Castlewellan Peace Maze, Admission: Car £4.00; Minibus £10.00; Coach £25.00; Motorcycle £2.00; Season Permit - Car £30.00; Minibus £60.00. Pederstian Entrance from Castlewellan adult £2.00; Child 50p
Directions: From Newcastle take A50 to Castlewellan. At roundabout turn right to top of hill, turn left following signpost to Forest Park.
Delamont Country Park
Mullagh, Killyleagh, Co Down
Tel/Fax: 028 4482 8333
Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough in an area of natural beauty, Delamont Country park offers peace, beauty and tranquality. The stunning views across Strangford Lough and a relaxing atmosphere make Delamont a place to enjoy that "away from it all feeling". Home of the Strangford Stone - the tallest megalith in Ireland and Delamont Miniture Railway - the longest railway in Ireland, Delamont offers a full event programme and a five star camping and caravaning site.
Opening Hours: 9.00am - dusk
Admission: Car £3.50, Motorcycles £1.50, Minibus £8.00, Coach £25.00, Season Ticket £20.00
Directions: Delamont is located on the A22 Downpatrick to Comber Road.
5 minutes drive from Downpatrick
Murlough National Nature Reserve
Dundrum. Tel: 028 43751467
Fax: 028437 51467
Murlough is fantastic walking country and a haven for bird watchers. A network of paths and boardwalks enables you to discover this amazing nature reserve.
Admission: May-September Car £3.00; Minibus £7.00, Coach £12.00 Mototbike £1.00
Tollymore Forest Park 
Newcastle, Co Down
Tel: 028437 22428
Fax: 028 4377 1762
Contact: David McMullan
One of Northern Ireland's largest - and most attractive forest park.
Opening Hours: 10.00am - Dusk
Admission: Car £4.00; Minibus £10.00; Coach £25.00; Motorcycle £2.00; Season Permit - car £30.00; Minibus £60.00 pedestrian entrance from Bryansford Village Adult £2.00; Child £50p
Directions: From newcastle take the Bryansford Road, Tollymore is on left before Bryansford Village.
Rowallane Gardens
Saintfield,
Tel 028 97510131
Fax: 02897511242
Rowallane is an enchanted 52 acre garden with many trees, plants and chrubs introduced from other parts of the world.
Opening Hours: October-April 10.00am-4.00pm daily;
May-September 10.00am-8.00pm daily
Admission: Adult £3.50, child £1.50, Family £8.00, Group £2.80.
Tropical Butterfly House and Gardens
Seaforde Demesne, Seaforde
Tel: 028 4481 2250
Fax:028 4481 1370
Hundreds of free flying tropical butterflies, also parrots, reptiles, and insects. Beautiful gardens with many rare trees and shrubs. There is a maze.
Opening Hours Butterfly House: Easter - September Monday-Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 1.00pm-6.00pm
Gardens open all year Monday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 1.00pm-6.00pm
Admission: Adults £2.80, Children £1.70
Directions: From Newcastle take A24 towards Ballynahinch. At roundabout in Clough village take first turn off into Seaforde village. Tropical Butterfly Farm is situated 0.5 miles north of Seaforde.
Strangford Lough Wildlife Centre
Tel: 028 4488 1204
Fax: 028 4488 1729
Located within Castleward Estate, the Wildlife Centre provides information on marine, plant life and birdlife of Strangford Lough.
Opening Hours: March 13 - April w/ends (inc 9-18 April) 1.00pm-6.00pm; May daily except Tuesday 1.00pm-6.00pm; June-August 1.00pm-6.00pm daily; September-October weekends 1.00pm-6.00pm.
Admission: Castleward Grounds and Wildlife Centre Adults £3.50, Child £1.50, Family £8.00, Group £2.50.
Directions: Located within Castleward Estate, on A25, 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford.
Ulster Wildlife Centre
Crossgar Tel: 02844 830282
The Ulster Wildlife Centre boasts a conservatory filled with exotic flora, including vines over 100 years old.
Opening Hours: April-September Monday-Thursday 9.00am-5.00pm; Friday 9.00am-4.30pm
Admission: FREE
Directions: From Downpatrick take A7 to Crossgar, turn right at roundabout onto Killyleagh Street, pass High School on right, take next lane on right and follow signpost for Wildlife Centre.
Quoile Countryside Centre
5 Quay Road, Downpatrick
Tel 028 4461 5520 - Fax 02844 613280
Wander through lush woodlands and wetlands of this tranquil riverside haven where wildfoul nest amoung the reeds and riverbanks.
Opening Hours: 1st April-31st August Monday-Sunday 11.00am-5.00pm; 1st September -31st March Saturday and Sunday 1.00pm-5.00pm
Directions: From Downpatrick take A25 to Strangford, turn left following signposts for Quoile Countryside Centre.
