Discover more at Mount Stewart
Find out when Mount Stewart is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Children and young people hub at Mount Stewart
The children and young people hub provides learning opportunities for schools, universities and youth groups. We’ve created self-led and guided visit options that will encourage children and young people to connect with nature, beauty and history.
Why choose Mount Stewart for your group visit?
Mount Stewart is a unique and special space, situated on the shoreline of Strangford Lough and nestled in 1000 acres of ancient farm and woodland. It is home to a nineteenth-century mansion house, steeped in history and filled with a rare and precious collection waiting to be explored. The world class gardens burst into life through colour, mythology and history at every turn. The wider demesne is home to five-and-half-miles of walking trails, the natural play area and the outdoor classroom, perfect for connecting with nature.
We are committed to supporting children and young people to learn about nature, beauty and history. We’re keen to offer access through school visits, uniformed organisations and community partnerships.
We offer school visits 10am - 2pm Monday to Friday during the academic year. We also offer after hours and weekend access for other organisations, these must be booked in advance.
Find out more about our current offer here.
Self Led Experiences
Seasonal Walks
Bring your group for a walk through our beautiful woodlands and gardens. Contact the CYP team for some seasonal inspiration to help you make the most of your visit.
Natural Play Area
A woodland area created to provide physical challenged and fun, and to spark the imagination with creative outdoor play. A great place for your group to explore.
The Big House
Discover the mansion house, home to the Londonderry family and a collection that will surprise and ignite the imaginations of our younger visitors. Groups strictly limited to one group of 15 at any one time. Visits to the House must be booked in advance to ensure availability.
Self guided visits must be pre-booked. Combine any of these elements to create a great day out for your class or group. Arrange a pre-visit for one of your group leaders to familiarise you with our site.
Costs and memberships
With Educational Group Membership – free
Non Educational Group Membership £3.50/child
Accompanying adults free
Connect with Nature Days
Foundation Stage
Use the incredible gardens to explore your senses. Compare how humans and animals use their sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch differently. This program is all outdoors and therefore best suited to late Spring, Summer and early Autumn.
Key Stage 1
Investigate the bugs, birds and wild life that live at the property. Find out why they like to live at Mount Stewart, how they survive and how we help to protect their habitat. Get stuck into bug hunts, bird calls, woodland art and much more.
Key Stage 2
Test your survival skills and team work by building shelters & lighting fires. Embrace your inner cave person by honing your tracking and stalking instincts. Then take some time to tune into nature and be inspired by the colours, shapes and sounds everywhere you look.
We can adapt the programmes to incorporate seasonal topics for example, Seeds & Leaves in the Autumn, please contact the CYP team for further information and inspiration.
These facilitated programmes will deliver a truly memorable day for your group which will deepen your understanding of the importance of nature, how you can connect with it and how you can protect it for the future.
Costs
With Educational Group Membership - £5.95/child
Non Educational Group Membership - £7.95/child
Accompanying adults free
Outreach Programmes
Toytime with Nanny (1 hour)
Lady Mairi's childhood nanny comes to you from Mount Stewart to show you the toys the children would have played with in the early 20th century, as well as giving plenty of time for the children to have a play too. All shared toys will be cleaned and quarantined between visits.
Costs: £55 for one class and £40 for any subsequent class plus £0.55 per mile for any travel over 20 miles.
Hire an experience maker
Hire one of our Experience Makers to help you create a memorable day. They can offer ideas and use their knowledge of the site to make sure you make the most of your visit. The Experience Maker can accompany you for part or all of your time to the property and support you as you lead your group.
Costs
£75 per guide for up to 3 hours
Nature on your doorstep (90 minutes)
Tailor made for you, our team come to your site, or beach or woods near you, to help your children engage and connect with their local natural environment.
Costs: £80 per class plus £0.55 per mile for any travel over 20 miles.
Connect with History Days
Step back in time with our exciting living history experiences and discover life at the Big House through the ages. Costumed options for KS1 & KS2. Including our Victorian Schoolroom, The Big House, Toys & Games and a visit to see the coachman. Our much loved Christmas Estate Party will be available from mid November.
You Rang M’Lord
A Costumed Living History Programme on life in early 19th century. Suitable for KS2
Servants are urgently required to assist in the preparation and serving of a great dinner to be held in Mount Stewart.
This is to celebrate the arrival of Kind Edward 7th and his wife, who are here to open the Royal Victoria Hospital in honour of his mother the late Queen Victoria.
Castlereagh, his life & legacy
Suitable for Upper KS2 AND KS3
Viscount Castlereagh was one of the best known members of the Londonderry family. Famous for his political career, we use his acquaintences to bring his story to life including his experiences with the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Victorian Life
A Costumed Living History programme for KS1
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wealthy child living in Mount Stewart House or a young girl working there as a servant? Come and let us show you how…
Estate Party
Runs from Mid Nov to Mid December. Suited to Upper KS1 and lower KS2.
Go back in time to December 1950 and find out how the grandchildren of the late 7th Marquis are helping their grandmother prepare for the annual Christmas Party for the staff and tenants.
Costs
With Educational Group Membership - £5.95/child
Non Educational Group Membership - £7.95/child
Accompanying adults free
The Connect with Nature and History days last for 3 hours from arrival to departure including break and lunch. You're welcome to stay on the property after this time, without a guide until the property closes
What else do I need to know?
- Guided groups can make use of our indoor space 'ed shed' for break and lunch and weather permitting the outdoor classroom.
- Groups can visit 7 days a week.
- Evening visits can be set up for your youth organisation.
Education Group Membership
Education Group Membership (EGM) supports the National Trust to look after the special places that you will visit and allows education groups free entry to most places owned by the National Trust. This annual membership is for not-for-profit groups or home educators whose members, pupils or students are in full-time education. Prices depend on the number of children on the school roll.
At Mount Stewart, Education Group Membership is required for most self-led activities, and EGM members receive a discount on any National Trust led visits booked with us.
How do I book?
Make your booking enquiry at cyp.mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk. Once you've completed your booking enquiry form we’ll be in touch to plan the visit for your group.
Additional information
We are continually improving and increasing the learning offer at Mount Stewart. We’re currently working on some new and exciting heritage and history based offers along with an environmental outreach option. Watch this space for news of these launching soon.
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Family-friendly places in Northern Ireland
Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in Northern Ireland with a day out at the places in our care. With outdoor trails for inquisitive minds and natural play areas to let off steam, family adventures await all year round. If rain descends on your outdoor playground, take shelter in our family-friendly cafés for some well-deserved treats. Check property websites for specific opening times and events.