Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is home to expansive woodlands and dedicated parks. Whether you want to escape to the forest, or spend a fun family day out in one of our many adventure play parks, you’ll be well catered for in Counties Down and Armagh.
Step into a world of magic and wonder at Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Kids will adore exploring the Giant’s Lair, featuring a range of outdoor art installations, to create an immersive world of fairies, dragons and even witches.
The accessible trail at Slieve Gullion creates a spectacular experience of sound and vision for children and adults with complex sensory needs.
Located against the backdrop of the dramatic slopes of the Mourne Mountains, Castlewellan Forest Park is one of the area’s most exciting outdoor spaces. The park itself is home to one of the widest varieties of trees and shrubs in Europe, as well as Northern Ireland’s National Arboretum.
Castlewellan is perhaps best known for its Peace Maze. Completed in the year 2000, it is one of the largest permanent hedge mazes in the world. Wander among the meticulously maintained foliage as you breathe in the tranquil country air, or take on the lake walks and mountain bike trails.
Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough, just outside Killyleagh, Delamont Country Park is full of surprises. The park is the home of the Strangford Stone, which at ten metres high is the tallest monolith in Ireland.
For kids, there’s the Outdoor Adventure Playground, while the whole family will love the Steamers Cafe and Delamont Miniature Railway.
Kilbroney Park offers some of the most scenic views around Visit Mourne. Located overlooking the village of Rostrevor, Kilbroney’s scenic forest drive culminates in unparalleled views over Carlingford Lough below.
Intrepid walkers can scale Cloughmore, known to locals as the ‘Big Stone’. Legend has it that this thirty tonne erratic was thrown here by Finn McCool during a battle with a rival Scottish giant.
Enjoy unbeatable peace and solitude at Silent Valley Mountain Park. The site centres around the man made Silent Valley Reservoir, with glassy waters offering a sharp contrast to the rocky faces of the surrounding mountains.
The park is crossed by a variety of mountain trails. Seven podcast episodes are available from the NI Water to accompany different routes, and tell the story of the park’s history.
Countryside Elegance at Castle Ward
Comprising the grounds of a country mansion, the Castle Ward Estate has played a starring role in Visit Mourne for centuries. The house itself is an architectural marvel, having been built to suit the differing architectural preferences of its residents. The lord of the manor, Bernard Ward preferred the Palladian style, while his wife Ann was a fan of all things gothic.
The wider Castle Ward Estate is set on the shores of Strangford Lough, with options for outdoor activities like canoeing, trail walking and mountain biking.
Nested in the heart of the countryside, Montalto Estate is a privately owned demesne, dating back to the 1600s. Since 2018, its dense woods, scenic lakes and imposing country manor have been open to public visitors, who can enjoy a variety of walking trails and a specially built children’s play area.
Set above the town of Newcastle, Tollymore Forest Park sits on the lower slopes of the Mournes, overlooking the Irish Sea. The Shimna river snakes through the park’s trees, giving way to craggy outcrops, caves and grottos.
Tollymore Forest Park placed itself firmly in the history books by providing the wood for the oak interior of the Titanic’s first class cabins. More recently, Tollymore Forest Park has served as a set for Game of Thrones®.
