Tourism > Local Attractions

Ballynahinch Riding Centre
15 Ballycreen Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8TZ - Tel: (028) 97 562883
Tuition, hacking on country roads, forest and beach rides in Newcastle - transport provided. Picnic ride, summer camps.

Spa Golf Club
20 Grove Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8PN - Tel: (028) 97 562365
Website: www.spagolfclub.com
Sited on undulating ground amidst the famous County Down drumlins. A highly competitive course, embracing tree lined fairways, with magnificent views of the Mourne Mountains. Plays host to annual Heart of Down Golf tournament in September.
Par: 72, SSS 72, Size 6469 yards
Green fees: £15 weekdays, £20 weekends/public holidays

---- CASTLEWELLAN ----

Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan - Tel: (028) 437 78664
Castlewellan Forest Park, Peace Maze, National Arboretum and Gardens are open to the public all year round from 10.00 a.m. until dusk. Within a mixed woodland setting, Castlewellan offers a wide range of walks and outdoor facilities including; fishing, nature watching, canoeing, pony trekking, rambling and photography. Through the local Forestry Office, guided tours can be arranged for groups who wish to visit the Arboretum and Gardens. Parking and toilet facilities are available for less able bodied visitors.
Facilities: Tea room, sculpture trail, orienteering course, way marked trails, pony trekking trails, caravan and camping, youth sites. Memories Tours in August.
Opening Hours: 10.00am - Sunset all year round
Admission: Car £3.80, Minibus £10.00, Coach £25.00, Motorcycle £2.00, Car Season permit £27.00

Drumkeeragh Forest Park
Slieve Croob, Castlewellan - Tel: (028) 437 78664
All trails commence at the car park information point. Choose the trail you wish to walk from the map on display and follow the corresponding coloured waymarkers. Lengths vary from ¼ mile to 3½ miles and take the visitor to various parts of the forest. Drumkeeragh is a commercial conifer forest covering an area of 200 hectares with an elevation which rises from 190m to 310m.
Opening Hours: 10.00am - Dusk.
Admission: Free

Mount Pleasant Trekking and Horse Riding Centre
15 Bannonstown Road, Castlewellan BT31 9BG - Tel: (028) 437 78651
Website: www.mountpleasantcentre.com
A very safe and popular riding centre for both novice and experienced riders alike offering forest treks, beach rides and country hacks along traffic free routes. The centre also organises day trips and weekend breaks. We have now added reception rooms, new toilets, showers for disabled and abled bodies. We also have luxury mobile home accommodation (8 berth with shower room, separate kitchen, large lounge and 3 bedrooms) @ £39.00 per night BHS Approved and Qualified Instructors.
Cost: Adult £10.00 per hour, £19.00 per 2 hours, Children £9.00 per hour, £17.00 per 2 hours
Special Rates on request for parties of 10 or more ie youth/school groups £6.50 per person per hour

---- DOWNPATRICK ----

St Patrick Centre
St Patrick Centre, Market Street, Downpatrick - Tel: (028) 44 619000
Web: www.saintpatrickcentre.com
The Saint Patrick Centre tells the story of Ireland's patron saint in his own words. This will be the first time that St Patrick's story has been comprehensively and credibly presented as a permanent exhibition anywhere in Ireland. Appropriately, the Centre is being built in Downpatrick below St Patrick's reputed burial site and will present an authentic view of St Patrick exploring him through his own words and in the context of the period.
Opening Hours:

October - March Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

April/May/Sep Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

June - August Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 7.00pm
Sunday 10.00am - 6.00pm

Admission: Adult £4.50, Group £3.00 each, Child £2.35
Family £11.00 (2 adults and up to 5 children)

Down County Museum
The Mall, Downpatrick, BT30 6AH - Tel: (028) 44 615218
Website: www.downcountymuseum.com
This former gaol and military barracks where famous United Irishman Thomas Russel (The Man from God Knows Where) was hanged in 1803, now houses the St Patrick Heritage Centre, telling the story of Ireland's Patron Saint and the area's strong links to the founding of Christianity in Ireland. The Museum complex also contains a restored Governor's Residence where visitors can see fascinating displays about life in earlier times, as well as a reconstruction of 18th century cells where prisoners were held before transportation to Australia.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours:
June - September Monday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday - Sunday 2.00pm - 5.00pm
October - May Tuesday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Downpatrick Golf Course
43 Saul Road, Downpatrick BT30 6PA. - Tel: (028) 44 615947
Website: www.downpatrickgolfclub.com
A classic parkland course, designed by Mr FW Hawtree situated 1 mile from the town centre, off the Saul Road. Course comprises four Par 3's, twelve Par 4's and two Par 5's, most holes boasting spectacular views of County Down, Strangford Lough and even the Isle of Man, on a clear day. Undulating fairways, strategically placed sand traps, and quick but true greens make the course a testing, yet pleasurable, challenge to golfers of all abilities. Plays host to annual Heart of Down Golf Tournament in September.
Par 70, SSS 69, Size 6120 yards
Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Snooker Room, Practice area, putting green
Full catering, Club Hire, Buggy and Trolley Hire
Green fees: £15 - 17 Weekdays, £17.00 - £20 Weekends.

---- NEWCASTLE ----

Tropicana
Central Promenade, Newcastle - Tel : (028) 437 25034
Tropicana is real family entertainment paradise, offering outdoor heated seawater fun pools, giant slides, bouncy castle and an adventure playground. Inside an exhibition space provides a haven for adults to relax, knowing that their children are in safe hands in the Tropicana's creche or kiddies' club. An extensive programme of evening variety shows, concerts and cinema presentations enhances the Tropicana's family appeal.
Opening Hours:
June Saturday 10.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday 2.00pm - 6.00pm
July/August Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 6.00pm,
Sunday 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Admission: U8 £1.50, Over 8 £2.20, OAP £1.00, Adult non-swim £1.00. After 6.00pm = £1.00

Tollymore Forest Park
Bryansford Road, Bryansford Village - Tel: (028) 437 22428

Home to Northern Ireland's first forest park. The forest park was given to the Department of Agriculture by the Roden Family in 1957, and its stunning views of the Mournes play host to thousands of visitors to the Park annually. There are many splendid walks through the beautiful forest to attractions including Hermitage, the Salmon Leap and the Drinns. The arboretum contains a wide variety of mature confers, broadleaves and colourful shrubs including Cork Oak from Portugal and a Strawberry Tree, the only tree special native to Ireland and not Great Britain.

Follow the banks of the tumbling Shimna River deep into beautiful Mourne Country, past the remarkable 19th century follies. Situated in the quaint village of Bryansford, the park has benefited from Bryansford winning the Ulster and Britain in Bloom titles for many years.
Facilities: Restaurant, gift shop, confectionery shop, village store, camping and caravanning

Guided Tours Available during summer. School tours by appointment Deer Safaris and Memories Tours in July and August.

Opening Hours: Open every day all year round 10.00 a.m - Sunset
Charges: Entrance Fee Cars £3.80, Minibus £10.00, Coach £25.00, and Motorcycle £2.00, Season Permit £27.00. Pedestrian entrance from Bryansford Village £2.00, Child £0.50

Royal County Down Golf Course
36 Golf Links Road, Newcastle BT33 0AN - Tel: (028) 437 23314
Website: www.royalcountydown.org
1. 18 Holes. Championship Course, one of the world's top ten links.
2. 18 Holes Annesley Links also located in the picturesque setting of the
Mourne Mountains.
Par : (1)71 2 (66) SSS (1) 73, (2) 63, SIZE (1) 6722 yds, (2) 4681 yds

Facilities: Light lunches in Centenary Room, no meals after 6pm. Professional Shops, caddies, trolley (pull carts), club hire, handicap certificates, practice area, changing facilities. Accept Visa, Amex and Mastercard.

Mourne Trail Riding Centre
96 Castlewellan Road, Newcastle, BT33 0JP - Tel: (028) 437 24351
Website: www.mournetrailridingcentre.com
The centre has about 15 quality horses and cobs to suit the more experienced rider. We do not cater for beginners. We offer one hour rides on quiet roads and tracks, and 2 hour rides in Tollymore Forest Park. We also occasionally organise beach rides for very experienced riders and can arrange longer rides for small groups.
Age Range: From 10 years
Opening Times Seven days a week
Cost £10.00 per hour
Pre Booking by telephone essential

---- SEAFORDE ----

Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House and Gardens
Seaforde Demesne, Seaforde, Downpatrick BT30 - Tel: (028) 44 811225
Situated in the grounds of Seaforde Demesne, Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House and Gardens is owned and managed by Mr Patrick Forde. Clouds of butterflies flutter free at this fascinating and educational leisure facility, which also offers visitors acres of beautifully tended gardens and unique hornbeam maze. There is an extensive tropical insect and reptile collection, which is housed safely behind glass.
Facilities: Tea rooms, shop, playground, Tropical Butterfly House
Opening Hours
Easter -September, Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Admission: Adults £2.50 Children £1.75

Drumgooland House and Equestrian Centre
29 Dunnanew Road, Seaforde, BT30 8PJ - Tel: (028) 44 811956
Website: www.horsetrek-ireland.com
Set in 60 acres of land with own trout stocked lake, Drumgooland House offers high quality accommodation to match their well equipped equestrian centre. They provide equestrian breaks, trail holidays and horsemanship courses. 1 Hour treks forest and beach rides. For a more gentle equestrian experience, pony and trap rides are available. BHS approved. Qualified instructors. Age range from 6 years.
Opening Times: Seven days a week from 9.00 a.m.
Charges: 1 Hour Trek Adult £10.00, Child £8.00
2 ½ Hour Forest Ride £25.00
2 ½ Hour Beach Ride £25.00
Equestrian Breaks from £170.00
Trail Rides - 4 night 3 day from £307.00
Horsemanship Courses available