Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park is one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The Forest Park is located within the Mourne Mountains in County Down.  A dramatic setting of mountains and sea. The Forest Park is home to one of Northern Ireland's most famous lakes, the stunning Victorian Castlewellan Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27km of Mountain Bike Trails, Nature Play perfect for the kids, an onsite multi-activity centre, the Peace Maze, Life Adventure Centre, an equestrian centre and Castlewellan Caravan Park. The Forest Park boasts all of this and more making it a must-visit for all ages.

PUBLIC NOTICE: CASTLEWELLAN FOREST PARK HAS REOPENED, WITH RESTRICTIONS, FOLLOWING THE IMPACT OF STORM EOWYN. The following facilities remain closed - remote walking trails, horse trails and Annesley Walled Garden & Arboretum.

Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails Update - RED trail between 12-43 open - proceed with care. Diversion in place at 43 - proceed to 62 and continue along fire road back to 12.  Exit trails via lake path. Crow Road remains closed. All BLACK trails remain closed. We ask visitors to adhere to the safety signage in place and please DO NOT access trails which are closed. (Latest update: Friday 28 March 2025 at 5pm.)

Map of Castlewellan Forest Park 

Click here to view the map of Castlewellan Forest Park.

Things to do in Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park offers a stunning natural setting, and staying nearby provides easy access to its scenic trails, peaceful lakes, and exciting outdoor activities. The main activities include, walking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing (with a permit), paddleboarding, cycling and horse-riding. Please Note: swimming in Castlewellan lake is not permitted unless part of a Newry, Mourne and Down District Council approved event. There are also plenty of thing to do nearby, find out more here.

There are designated picnic areas where visitors can enjoy a meal surrounded by the park's beautiful natural scenery. These areas are perfect for a relaxing outdoor experience with family or friends. You can barbeque at the designated picnic areas for a lovely outdoor meal. Barbecuing is not permitted elsewhere in Castlewellan Forest Park to help protect the environment and maintain the park's natural beauty. A new café is opening soon, expected in Summer 2025! In the meantime, you can grab a coffee from the coffee cart located in the main car park. Plus, an ice-cream van is available during the summer months for a sweet treat! 

Explore Castlewellan Peace Maze

Beside ‘Animal Wood’ you’ll find the Castlewellan Peace Maze, one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the centre of the maze.  The maze is 3,147 metres long and the average completion time is 40 minutes. 

Discover the Play Park at Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park features the ‘Animal Wood’ playpark, ideal for children aged four to eleven.  Located next to Castlewellan Peace Maze. Animal Wood offers a short path with exciting wild woodland animal-themed play structures, including a badger and its den, a red squirrel, and a giant spider. The play area also includes a wooden tower in the image of The Moorish Tower, complete with a climbing wall, fireman’s pole, and rope-bridge leading to a hollow tree stump slide and a Red Kite nest. It’s the perfect spot to keep kids entertained while exploring nature!

Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden (Walled Garden)

Castlewellan Arboretum is a place of great historic importance.  The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts globally. However, Castlewellan has numerous features that draw wider attention. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. To walk around the forest park's mile-long lake, encountering some intriguing modern sculptures on the way, is to enjoy a great experience of eighteenth-century landscaping. 

PUBLIC NOTICE: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is undertaking restoration works in the Annesley Gardens in Castlewellan Forest Park as part of ‘Re-Rooting our past in the Future: Castlewellan Historic Demesne’, project part funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  The works will revitalise and conserve the natural heritage of the gardens for present and future generations. Please note that the Walled Garden is closed to facilitate restoration works to the paths and fountains. We apologise for any disappointment this causes.

The planting of the walled Annesley Garden, the focus of the arboretum, begun in the 1850s and rare conifers and maples were later imported directly from Japan. Then came the addition of more rich varieties, including Chilean eucryphias, Australian athrotaxis and pittosporum and Chinese rhododendrons. The arboretum holds many trees with record heights in the British Isles.

Discover Castlewellan Historic Demesne

Discover more about Castlewellan Forest Park by exploring the Castlewellan Historic Demesne section of our website. You’ll learn about the rich heritage of Castlewellan Forest Park and how you can participate in upcoming events. Click here for more information.

Castlewellan Forest Park Opening Hours

Castlewellan Forest Park opening hours are March and October 9am - 6pm, April and September 9am - 8pm, May to August 9am - 9pm and November to February 9am - 5pm.  The Park is closed on Christmas Day. Walled Garden - closed until further notice. Click here for more details.

Dog-Friendly Guidelines at Castlewellan Forest Park

Dogs are welcome at Castlewellan Forest Park but must be kept under control at all times. Dogs are not permitted in the Play Park or Castlewellan Peace Maze.  In  Castlewellan Caravan Park, dogs must be on a lead.  Please be mindful of local safety signs when allowing your dog to swim or drink from Castlewellan Lake.

Where to stay close to Castlewellan Forest Park

Visitors can enjoy a stay at the on-site Caravan Park, or explore nearby lodgings, ranging from charming guesthouses to cosy bed and breakfasts. While the park itself is home to a privately run conference centre within the castle, there are plenty of other accommodation options in the area. Whether you prefer a relaxing retreat or an active adventure, the areas in and around Castlewellan has something to suit every traveller’s needs. Click here to find accommodation in and around Castlewellan.

Book Your Stay at Castlewellan Caravan Park

Ready to stay at Castlewellan Caravan Park? Click here to book your spot online. Please note, all bookings are online only.

Parking at Castlewellan Forest Park

Access to the park on foot or by bicycle is free. Charges apply for the parking of vehicles. Click here for more details.

Plan your Trip to Castlewellan: From Dublin and Belfast

To get to Castlewellan from Belfast follow the A24 through Ballynahinch, Seaforde and Clough.  In Clough follow the A25.  Castlewellan Forest Park is located in the town of Castlewellan on the right.  From Dublin follow the M1 to Newry.  From A1 take the exit towards Newry/A28/Downpatrick/A25.  Follow the A25 to Castlewellan.  The Forest park is located on the left in Castlewellan town.