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Castle Ward
Northern IrelandUnique 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles
Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7BA
Important notice
Castle Ward trails have reopened, thank you for your understanding.
Opening times for 21 December 2025
Asset Opening time Mansion Closed Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Grounds 10:00 - 16:00 Second-hand bookshop 11:00 - 16:00 Shop 11:00 - 16:00 Stableyard tea-room 11:00 - 16:00 Please note the last tour is at 3pm on days the house is guided tours only.
MTWTFSS123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311234OpenPartially openClosed2025 Pricing (From 1 March)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £15.40 £14.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £7.70 £7.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £38.50 £35.00 Family (one adult) £23.10 £21.00 Group (Adult 18+) £13.00 Group (Child 5-17) £6.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
Our Second-Hand bookshop is open from 10am - 4pm daily.
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
Dogs (on leads) welcome in wider estate and tea-room.
- Guided tour
February to May: The house will be open for tours every hour on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11.00am. Last tour is at 3.00pm. Tickets can be collected from visitor reception. On Saturdays and Sundays, self-guided tours from 11.00-16.00. No tickets required.
- Shop
Pop into the gift shop in the stableyard to find that perfect something to take home or to give a friend.
- Tea-room
The tea-room is open and serving a range of hot and cold drinks and light snacks daily. take your coffee to go or take a seat in the courtyard. Dog friendly cafe.
- Toilet
A variety of additional support available to help you enjoy your visit, including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, sensory backpacks and advice. For any specific access requirements, please email castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk or give us a call. For our accessibility overview, visit: https://www.accessable.co.uk/national-trust/castle-ward-national-trust
- Accessible route and/or map
- Accessible toilet
- Level access/terrain
- Powered mobility vehicle available
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Wheelchairs available
- By road
- 7 miles north-east of Downpatrick, 1 mile from Strangford on A25Parking: Blue badge parking available.Sat Nav: Please use BT30 7BA and follow signs for Castle Ward only. The property cannot be accessed via the Audleystown road.
- On foot
- Enter through main property gates. This is a short walk from the nearest bus stop.
- By bus
- Downpatrick to Strangford, bus stop at gates. Please check Translink for timetable.
- Cycling
- By ferry
- from Portaferry
Planning your visit
What's on at Castle Ward!
Find your next adventure here: discover all the events and activities happening at Castle Ward!
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Visiting Castle Ward with Family
From events and activities to inspiring your inner explorer, here's what you need to know about a family day out at Castle Ward.
Activity
Multi-use trails at Castle Ward
Whether you’re walking, in a wheelchair, cycling or horse riding, explore the 21 miles of trails on the Castle Ward estate and discover woodland, meadows and loughside views.
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Visiting Castle Ward with your dog
Castle Ward is a three pawprint rated place. Discover Castle Ward with your dog. With miles of trails to explore there's plenty of space for them to bound, sniff, jump and splash.
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Group visits to Castle Ward
Find out how to book a group visit to Castle Ward and learn about the guided tours and additional benefits available when visiting this unique 18th-century mansion as a group.
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Exploring the estate at Castle Ward
Explore miles of trails, soak up coastal views and stroll through atmospheric woodland scenes. Tune into the seasons and see where Game of Thrones was filmed.
Highlights
Mansion
An 18th-century mansion house famed as a house of contrasts, one side Gothic, one side classical Palladian.
Trails
Six enjoyable trails for walkers, cyclists, and riders, with options for all difficulty levels and distances. Our trails offer scenic routes through nature, with gorgeous landscapes and wildlife to spot along the way.
Sunken Garden
Visit our sunken garden, restored with a design based on the 1864 painting by Mary Ward.
Clock tower
Located in Castle Ward's historic farmyard, the location and backdrop of HBO's Winterfell in Game of Thrones.
Eating
Stable yard tea-room, serving a selection of hot and cold food, drinks, and sweets.
Woodland & Adventure Playparks
Jump into outdoor fun—explore and conquer our playparks! Open daily.
Shopping
Get stocked up on gifts for loved ones (or yourself) at the Stableyard Gift Shop - the perfect spot for seasonal finds!
Temple Water
A tranquil oasis at the heart of the estate. Take a stroll around the water's edge and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Things to see and do
Activity
Bike Hire at Castle Ward
We offer bike hire from Reception for families. We have a small selection of bikes available each day to make the most of your day on site
Article
Visiting Castle Ward with Family
From events and activities to inspiring your inner explorer, here's what you need to know about a family day out at Castle Ward
Article
Things to do in the garden at Castle Ward
Discover one of the best examples of a Victorian garden in Ireland. Explore the 17th and 18th-century pleasure grounds, stroll by the lake and see an important piece of history.
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Visiting Castle Ward House
Wander through the Georgian rooms of this eccentric mansion, famed for its contrasting architecture and interiors, and explore the servants' world below stairs. The house is open daily except Tuesdays, from 11am to 4pm for free-flow exploration. Last entry is at 3.45pm.
Top trails
Trail
Castle Ward Boundary Trail
A challenging eight-mile trail that takes in some of the best sights around Castle Ward, from Audley's Castle to the Deer Park.
Trail
Castle Ward Hoof Trail
The Hoof Trail is a 7.5-mile route through woodland and along the shore of Strangford Lough with views of Audley's Castle and the Castle Ward Demesne.
Trail
Castle Ward Shore Trail
Follow this short accessible trail at Castle Ward, County Down and take in the beautiful surroundings and scenery of Strangford Lough and architecture of the castle.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Castle Ward
Tuck into a delightful menu and treat yourself or someone special in the shops. Watch artists in action or pick up a gift to take home.
Places to stay
With three beautifully finished cottages to stay in on site, camping pods, caravan pitches and campsite, find your next trip here at Castle Ward.
Castle Ward Caravan Park
Historical attractions and nature trails on the lough shore, a short walk from vibrant Strangford village.
The Potter's Cottage
In the farmyard at Castle Ward, this dog-friendly, stone cottage has Strangford Lough and miles of footpaths on the doorstep.
Castle Ward Gamekeeper's Lodge
A Victorian cottage in a quiet spot at Castle Ward, tucked away among meadows and woodland.
Downpatrick Gate Lodge
A pretty, tucked-away lodge on the Castle Ward estate, surrounded by wildlife and walks with woodland, meadow and loughside views.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Castle Ward
See the gothic and classical collide at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th-century mansion resting on a rolling hillside and looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down.
Walk or cycle along the Lough trail or through the sheltered woodlands and spot butterflies, rabbits, ducks and swans.
Step into a fantasy world of castles and dragons as you explore the Georgian farmyard and the lough shore, film locations for the hit television series Game of Thrones.
Stroll through the sunken garden and see vivid reds, yellows, greens and pinks from seasonal flowers in this newly restored Victorian garden.
Round the day off with a treat in our tea-room or browse the gift shop and pick up a bargain at the second-hand bookshop.
History
Project
The Portrait of Lady Ann Bligh: A Conservation Journey
The newly-acquired portrait of Lady Ann Bligh—the only known image of her—sheds light on her overlooked role in shaping Castle Ward in the 1760s and enriches the site’s understanding of women’s history. After expert conservation work, the painting is now on display, reuniting the house with one of its most significant yet marginalised figures.
Project
Article
History of Castle Ward
Unique and unusual, this eccentric 18th-century house is famed for having been built with two completely different architectural styles, both inside and out. Find out why.
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Notable people in Castle Ward’s history
Discover the stories of some of the most notable people who have lived at Castle Ward over the centuries, from one of the mansion’s creators to a celebrated war correspondent.
Art and collections
Castle Ward's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Castle Ward on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
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Our work at Castle Ward
Find out about some of the conservation work that staff and volunteers carry out throughout the year to preserve the Castle Ward mansion and estate for everyone, for ever.
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Film and TV at Castle Ward
From historic castles to wild coastline, follow in the footsteps of the Starks and Lannisters with a visit to some of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.
Support us
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Volunteer opportunities at Castle Ward
Find out more about the volunteering opportunities available at Castle Ward, the benefits of volunteering and how you can apply to join the team at this unique place.
