Upcoming events
This summer, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Castle Ward.
Visiting Castle Ward with Family
- Published:
- 10 February 2023
Looking for activities the whole family can enjoy? Castle Ward offers unique experiences that blend history, culture, and fun for all ages. From browsing locally handcrafted gifts to stepping back in time with immersive historical experiences, there’s something for everyone.
This Autumn, Castle Ward is bursting with adventure and mystery! Check out the full list of Autumn events happening throughout the season at What's on at Castle Ward.
Foraging Workshop
Buzzard Bushcraft are back to run another one of their popular foraging walks. Autumn is an exciting time of year for foragers - join this workshop to learn more about the edible and medicinal plants to be found at this time of year across our varied habitats at Castle Ward. Families are welcome!
Buzzard Bushcraft Foraging Workshop
Hallowe'en Trail at Castle Ward
This half-term, take the trail through the woodland at Castle Ward if you dare... Take a stroll down laurel walk to join in some activities and put your bravery to the test. Watch out for some fiendish foes along the way.
Running 25 October - 2 November daily.
Hallowe'en Trail at Castle Ward
Outdoor activities for the family
Swipe through the selection of outdoor activities on offer at Castle Ward
Explore 34km of Scenic Trails
Bring the whole family and enjoy 34km of trails around the estate grounds. Check out the wildlife by the shore, stop off at the Stableyard tearoom for refreshments and visit the historical grounds of Audley's Castle.
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Pick up an explorer bag or a calm bag
Keep the kids entertained on a walk around the trails with a calm bag or explore bag from Reception. Explorer bags have a selection of toys, books and activities while calm bags are filled with fidget toys and ways to help express emotions. These are available for both kids and adults. The bags are free to book out but a deposit may be required.
Build up a sweat at the Adventure Playpark
Get ready for some serious fun at the Adventure Playpark at Castle Ward! Swing, slide and play to your heart's content on our fantastic range of play equipment. Perfect for both little and older kids, our playpark has everything you need to ensure your children have an absolute blast.
Get set to ride a balance bike - or a big bike!
Will you be able to keep up with your children once they’ve learned to cycle? Balance bikes are the perfect way to help your future cyclists learn how to ride, in beautiful, traffic-free surroundings.
The balance bikes and helmets are available to borrow from the reception. You don’t need to book anything and the balance bikes are free to use on a first come, first served basis – just turn up and get going.
For bike hire - that's done from Reception. We have a range of kids and adults bikes available to hire. More info here.
Secret Shore Trail
Create your own adventure as you explore the Secret Shore Trail. This hidden gem is waiting for you to explore and get up close and personal with some of the wildlife that lives along the loughshore.
Follow the trail and you'll discover the bird 'hideout', where you can observe some of the feathered friends that call Strangford Lough home. Keep your eyes peeled and see how many different birds you can spot on your journey.
This adventure is perfect for the little explorers in all of us! Pack your bags, grab your walking shoes, and get ready for an adventure like no other at Castle Ward's Secret Shore Trail.
Visit the Farmyard
In the farmyard, immerse yourself in a historical setting, the very one used as the set of Winterfell in the famous 'Game Of Thrones' series.
The pond at Castle Ward is home to a variety of ducks, including the beautiful mallards, who love to splash around and play.
Indoor Activities for Families
Swipe through the selection of Indoor Activities available on offer at Castle Ward
Castle Ward's new play den
Discover the new play den in the Stableyard. Filled with play equipment and soft seats, parents will find a space to rest while the kids play and everyone stays dry. Located in the Stableyard so handy to both the toilets and tea-room.
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Indoor Activities for the Family
Visiting the house
The Gothic Georgian house is filled with treasures and fascinating stories. Inside the mansion, you will find magnificent collection pieces that will really get children's imaginations flowing. They can see Bertha the bear in the Dining room or re-enact the ‘boxing squirrels’ in the morning room.
The second-hand bookshop
Our bookshop is full of interesting titles, from heartwarming bedtime stories to exciting travel guides, delicious cookbooks, and page-turning novels perfect for enjoying by the fire.
Not only will you be helping to support Castle Ward, but you'll also be able to take home some fantastic new stories and inspirations for the whole family to enjoy. Please remember to pay for your books in the honesty box provided or in the shop with your card.
Castle Ward gift shop
Visit the gift shop for a curated selection of goods, many of which unique to Castle Ward. Find historical mementos, delicious goodies, and local crafts to take home a piece of Castle Ward's charm. Whether it's a keepsake to remember your visit or a thoughtful gift for family and friends, Castle Ward's National Trust gift shop offers a selection of treasures to cherish and share.
Clock Tower and Cornmill
Have you ever wondered how flour is made from corn? Look no further than Castle Ward's historic Cornmill and clock tower! Dating back to 1835, this incredible mill was once a bustling center of activity that ground corn into flour for the estate. Bring your children to this fascinating historical site and give them a chance to learn about the fascinating process of milling corn. It's an educational and fun experience that the whole family will enjoy! You might even recognize the farmyard from the first season of Game of Thrones, where it was featured as Winterfell.
The play den
Castle Ward recently opened a play den in the Stableyard - a haven for families on rainy days. Filled with toys and games reflecting the estate at Castle Ward, from sea-life to farmyard animals and even your own mansion house to fill with stories. With soft seating for kids and adults, the new play den offers a handy spot to take a rest and let the kids play - all while keeping dry! The space is located in the stableyard up a flight of stairs but can be access via a ramp - please just enquire in Reception. The space is open Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Somewhere to Eat
The stableyard tearoom offers a selection of food including pastries, sandwiches, wraps, scones, and a variety of traybakes. We serve drinks such as coffee, sparkling lemonade, and apple juice. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
You're welcome to bring a picnic. There's plenty of picnic tables, benches, and spots to lay out a blanket. Please use the bins provided when you're finished.
Calm bags
At Castle Ward, we understand that places can be busy and overwhelming for some. That's why we're proud to offer calm bags for those who need a little extra support during this time.
Our calm bags include fidget toys, ear defenders, and other sensory items to help create a calm and comfortable environment. Our Loughview Quite Space, an accessible quiet hut, which is a sensory-friendly, safe space, to relax, unwind and get away from the hustle, bustle and loud areas of the estate, is also open daily. Please note; these bags are available to borrow only and are to be returned after use to visitor reception.
Things to see and do
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.
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.
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.
