Castle Ward

Important notice -

Due to filming onsite between 17 September and 1 October, the mansion house will be temporarily closed. The shop, tearoom and trails will remain open. The Slaughterhouse shop is open on weekends. There is no need to book your visit in advance.

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

More about this place

Old Castle Ward Mansion

Filming at Castle Ward 

Due to filming at Castle Ward between 17 September and 1 October, our Mansion house will be temporarily closed. The shop, tearoom and trails will remain open. The Mansion house will reopen on Saturday 2 October. We are always looking for ways to fund our vital conservation work and the location fee for this project will go towards those projects and help us secure the future of this historic estate for generations to come. Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward

The mansion house at Castle Ward, Co. Down

Castle Ward's Split Personality 

Castle Ward is famed as a house of contrasts. One side Gothic, one side classical Palladian - allegedly all because of a marital disagreement - but is that the whole truth about this eccentric 18th century house overlooking Strangford Lough?

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 and surround landscape. Keen fans will spot the locations of several key scenes from season one.

Autumn at Castle Ward

A family leave their bikes by the shore at Castle Ward

Explore the trails 

Discover the trails at Castle Ward from short scenic strolls to our 13km Boundary Trail

A person holds an acorn in their hand at Castle Ward, Strangford

Autumn Scavenger Hunt 

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

Mushrooms growing in Autumn at Castle Ward

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.

Castle Ward   County Down

Your visit

Visiting Castle Ward: What's open and where are the best places to explore?

Plan your visit

Upcoming events

See all events

Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail at Castle Ward

Sat 04 Dec 2021
10:00-18:00
This winter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Castle Ward on the Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail.
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Castle Ward

Eating and shopping

A family at the Stableyard Tea-room at Castle Ward

Stableyard Tea-room 

The tea-room is open and serving a range of hot and cold drinks and light snacks. Take your coffee to go or take a seat in the Courtyard.

2020 retail products

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 the second-hand bookshop to search the shelves for a classic and take home a bargain. Open daily from 10am.

Game of Thrones merchandise in the Slaughterhouse Shop at Castle Ward

Slaughterhouse Shop 

We've opened a summer pop-up for our Game of Thrones fans in the Slaughterhouse shop.

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Castle Ward

Get involved

Castle Ward volunteers

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!

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Castle Ward

Places to stay

Staying at Castle Ward

Castle Ward Caravan Park

Camping and caravanning 

We've reopened for caravans with self-contained facilities. Visit this tranquil oasis at the edge of Castle Ward. Camping will resume on 24 May, pending up to date regulations.

The premier glamping pods at Castle Ward

Camping Pods 

The Camping pods will reopen on the 24 May pending up to date regulations.

Potters Cottage and Artist Studio at Castle Ward

Potter's Cottage 

This quaint, single storey stone cottage is situated on the on the shores of scenic Strangford Lough and has now reopened for bookings.

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Castle Ward

History

The family crest of the Bangor family in the pediment at Castle Ward

Making a home 

Castle Ward is now a museum, but for a few hundred years it was a family home. How do you make a house a home?

Section of a portrait of Lady Anne Ward (nee Bligh) of Castle Ward

Lady Anne Ward 

We've simplified our history, but life is always a little more complicated. To uncover the real story, we're delving into the background of Lady Anne Ward.

eighteenth-century wooden wall panel, carved in the shape of the goddess Demeter, the goddess of Agriculture and Harvests

Harvest and the delights of dining at Castle Ward  

A plentiful harvest played a key role in the successful running of the Castle Ward estate and its importance is represented through symbolism in the dining room of the house.

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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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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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