Castle Ward

Important notice -

Please note the main showrooms of Castle Ward are closed for vital conservation work. Tickets for the Life Below Stairs tour may be collected in Visitor Reception.

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

More about this place

Pirate picnic at Castle Ward, 12 July

Pirates Picnic 

Ahoy me hearty's! Captain Ward's Pirate Ship returns to Castle Ward on 12 July for Pirates' Picnic and this year they're staying for the 13 July too!

The wash-room at Castle Ward

Life Below Stairs 

Take our Life Below Stairs house tour to follow in the footsteps of the servants at Castle Ward.

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.

Summer at Castle Ward

Families relax and listen to music at Castle Ward, Co. Down

Summer Music Sundays 

Join us at Castle Ward this August for our Summer Music Series on Sundays from 2.30pm - 5pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of live music.

Fun in the barn at Castle Ward, County Down

Farmyard fun for kids 

The kids can get a taste of the farmyard at Castle Ward, County Down, whatever the weather. They can drive mini tractors around the barn and dress up as animals.

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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Midsummer Music

Fri 21 Jun 2019
19:30-22:00
Enjoy an evening of Swing music at Castle Ward on the longest day of the year.

Castle Ward at Night - Bat Walk

Fri 28 Jun 2019
21:00-23:00
Led by our Rangers, find out more about the secret lives of bats on a guided walk around Castle Ward.

Pirates' Picnic

Fri 12 Jul 2019
13:00-17:00
Ahoy me hearty's! We are back from sailing the seven seas for a fun filled two days at Castle Ward. Captain Ward is looking for fresh swashbucklers to join him. Join or prepare to 'Walk the plank'! Come dressed in your pirate finest and...

Summer Music Sundays

Sun 14 Jul 2019
14:30-17:00
The summer is here and that can only mean one thing - the annual Sunday Music season starts.

European Heritage Open Day

Sat 14 Sep 2019
10:00-17:00
Visit Castle Ward for free as part of European Heritage Open Day and discover the eccentric sights of the mansion house, the views of Strangford Lough and explore 34km of trails.
See Fiona and the team at Castle Ward on July 25 2019

Antiques Roadshow at Castle Ward 

Could you have a fortune in your attic? Antiques Roadshow is coming to Castle Ward on Thursday 25 July 2019

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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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