Castle Ward

Important notice -

Please note that there are diversions in place for a number of the trails. The path surrounding Temple Water is currently closed due to restoration of the historic path which we hope to re-open soon.

Unique 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles

More about this place

Christmas baubles on the tree at Sizergh in Cumbria.

Christmas at Castle Ward 

Join us for a taste of a real Georgian Christmas, a festive trail and weekend crafting

The Gothic side of the mansion house at Castle Ward

Castle Ward's Split Personality 

Castle Ward is a house of contrasts. One side Gothic, one side classical Palladian - all because of a marital disagreement

A visitor with a dog at the trailhead cafe at Castle Ward, County Down.

Dog friendly Castle Ward 

Discover our new dog exercise area and dog-friendly cafe

The 16th century tower house at Castle Ward

Visit the Game of Thrones set 

Immerse yourself in the world of HBO's Game of Thrones as you explore the farmyard. Book in with Winterfell Tours and explore on-screen locations on a cycling tour or have a go at archery just like the Stark brothers.

Autumn at Castle Ward

A family out on an autumn stroll at Castle Ward, Co. Down

Autumn on the estate 

Castle Ward is particularly spectacular in autumn when the colours change and there is still plenty to discover on the estate.

A famiy exploring Strangford Lough at Castle Ward

Autumn Scavenger Hunt 

Download our scavenger hunt and locate as many as you can on your adventures around the estate

A family leave their bikes by the shore at Castle Ward

Secret Shore Natural Nature Trail 

Jump, climb and prepare to get your wellies dirty on The Secret Shore Trail at Castle Ward.

Donate

Help us restore Temple Water back to its former glory.

Learn more about our appeal
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Upcoming events

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Santa Paws

Sat 07 Dec 2019
12:00-16:00
Treat your special pup to a Christmas surprise by visiting Santa at Castle Ward.

Death Comes to Castle Ward

Fri 13 Dec 2019
20:30-22:30
Can you work out 'whodunit' at our Christmas Murder Mystery?

Storytelling with Santa

Wed 18 Dec 2019
16:00-16:40
Take your little ones on a trail through our gardens to meet Santa in the mansion house.

A Christmas Carol

Sat 21 Dec 2019
19:00-20:30
Hear the classic Dickens story of Ebeneezer Scrooge as you never have before.
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Castle Ward

Places to stay

Castle Ward Caravan Park
Potters Cottage and Artist Studio at Castle Ward
The premier glamping pods at Castle Ward
Castle Ward bunkhouse, Northern Ireland

Camping and caravanning 

A tranquil oasis at the edge of Castle Ward, the caravan site has 24 hard standing pitches, and lots of room for keen campers.

Potter's Cottage 

This quaint, single storey stone cottage is situated on the on the shores of scenic Strangford Lough and was even used during the filming of Game of Thrones.

Camping Pods 

Stay in one of our award winning camping pods. Enjoy a tranquil night under the stars in our Standard, Family or Premier pods.

The Bunkhouse at Castle Ward 

The accommodation is an ideal venue for corporate or private groups of up to 14 individuals and can also accommodate up to 12 small tents

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Castle Ward

Eating and shopping

Game of Thrones merchandise in the Slaughterhouse Shop at Castle Ward

Slaughterhouse Shop 

We've opened a new retail experience especially for our Game of Thrones fans. Introducing the Slaughterhouse Shop!

Freshly baked scones at the Stableyard Tea-room, Castle Ward

Stableyard Tea-room 

The Stableyard Tea-room is the perfect spot to stop in for lunch or for one of our freshly baked treats.

Some of the savoury items for sale in the shop at Castle Ward

Stableyard gift shop 

Pop in to the gift shop in the Stableyard to find that perfect something to take home or give to a friend.

The window of the bookshop at Castle Ward

Our bookshop 

Visit our second-hand bookshop to search the shelves for a classic and pick up a bargain to take home.

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Castle Ward

Learning

Castle Ward Education main

Engaging activities for young visitors 

Foundation, Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils will love our indoor and outdoor learning sessions led by experienced guides. Find out about education group membership and how to book a visit for your class.

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Castle Ward

Weddings

Wedding couple at Castle Ward

Get married in style 

Choose from a diverse range of indoor and outdoor settings to provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Find out more about how many guests you can invite and how to hire this venue.

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Castle Ward

Get involved

Get Involved

Volunteers at Castle Ward

Get Involved 

Volunteers help in all aspects of our places - we're have a suitable spot for your skills so find out if you're our missing piece!

Harrison Vyse, volunteer ranger at Castle Ward

Harrison Vyse: My time as a volunteer ranger 

Having swapped the classroom for the countryside and books for boots, Harrison Vyse takes time to reflect on his year’s placement as a Volunteer Ranger with the team at Castle Ward.

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Castle Ward

Groups

A family walks past the mansion house at Castle Ward on an autumn day

Bring the castle to life 

Book a guided tour of the mansion or gardens for your group. We can also offer special interest tours to really bring Castle Ward to life. All tours can be taken during the day or after hours, just get in touch to find out more.

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Castle Ward

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Castle Ward on the National Trust Collections website

Search the collections
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