Castlewellan Forest Park offers gentle walks around the castle grounds, one of the world's largest hedge mazes, the Peace Maze (entry free), and, from March to October, trout fishing in its lovely lake (three-day licence and permit £9.50). There's also a network of mountain-bike trails – see www.mountainbikeni.com for details. Bike hire is available from Life Adventure Centre.
Castlewellan Forest Park
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.16 MILES
The stunning, star-shaped Titanic Belfast is the city's number-one tourist draw. Standing majestically at the head of the slipway where the Titanic was…
23.32 MILES
Belfast's classical Renaissance-style City Hall was built in fine, white Portland stone in 1906. Highlights of the free, 45-minute guided tour include the…
22.32 MILES
You could spend hours browsing this state-of-the-art museum, but if you're pressed for time don't miss the Armada Room, with artefacts retrieved from the…
23.18 MILES
There are not many historical monuments that you can enjoy while savouring a pint of Guinness, but the National Trust's Crown Liquor Saloon is one of them…
26.79 MILES
The view from the summit of Cave Hill (368m) takes in the whole sprawl of the city, the docks, Belfast Lough and the Mourne Mountains – on a clear day you…
22.31 MILES
The showpiece of Belfast's green oasis is Charles Lanyon's beautiful Palm House, built in 1839 and completed in 1852, with its birdcage dome, a…
24.18 MILES
Guided tours of Belfast's notorious Crumlin Road Gaol take you from the tunnel beneath Crumlin Rd, built in 1850 to convey prisoners from the courthouse…
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24.63 MILES
The magnificent 18th-century Mount Stewart is one of Northern Ireland’s grandest stately homes. Entertaining tours tell the story of the house and its…
Nearby attractions
2.46 MILES
This scenic forest park, 3km west of Newcastle, offers lovely walks and bike rides along the River Shimna and across the Mournes' northern slopes…
2. Murlough National Nature Reserve
4.08 MILES
At the Murlough National Nature Reserve, footpaths and boardwalks meander among the grassy dunes leading to a wide sandy beach with great views back…
4.32 MILES
Founded in 1177 by John de Courcy of Carrickfergus, this Norman fortress overlooks Dundrum Bay. Enter the castle for wonderful views across to the Mourne…
5.19 MILES
Ulster's most famous – but rarely visited – Stone Age monument is a strangely elegant tripod dolmen (tomb chamber), that looks as if a giant's hand has…
5.65 MILES
The spectacular drystone Mourne Wall marches across the summits of 15 surrounding peaks, including the highest, Slieve Donard (853m). You can walk the 2m…
6. Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House
6.04 MILES
Adults and kids alike will enjoy this oasis in the Seaforde demesne, which is home to an 18th-century walled garden with ornamental flower beds, a hedge…
9.29 MILES
At the heart of the Mournes is the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir, where the River Kilkeel, which supplies Belfast and County Down with water, was…
8. Downpatrick & County Down Railway
10.34 MILES
From mid-June to mid-September, plus December, St Patrick’s Day, Easter, May Day and Halloween, this working railway museum runs steam-hauled trains over…