Discover more at Mount Stewart
Find out when Mount Stewart is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Children and young people hub at Mount Stewart
The children and young people hub provides learning opportunities for schools, universities and youth groups. We’ve created self-led and guided visit options that will encourage children and young people to connect with nature, beauty and history.
Why choose Mount Stewart for your group visit?
Mount Stewart is a unique and special space, situated on the shoreline of Strangford Lough and nestled in 1000 acres of ancient farm and woodland. It is home to a nineteenth-century mansion house, steeped in history and filled with a rare and precious collection waiting to be explored. The world class gardens burst into life through colour, mythology and history at every turn. The wider demesne is home to five-and-half-miles of walking trails, the natural play area and the outdoor classroom, perfect for connecting with nature.
We are committed to supporting children and young people to learn about nature, beauty and history. We’re keen to offer access through school visits, uniformed organisations and community partnerships.
We offer school visits 10am - 2pm Monday to Friday during the academic year. We also offer after hours and weekend access for other organisations, these must be booked in advance.
Find out more about our current offer here.
Self Led Experiences
Seasonal Walks
Bring your group for a walk through our beautiful woodlands and gardens. Contact the CYP team for some seasonal inspiration to help you make the most of your visit.
Natural Play Area
A woodland area created to provide physical challenged and fun, and to spark the imagination with creative outdoor play. A great place for your group to explore.
Self Guided Visits
Self guided visits must be pre-booked. Combine any of these elements to create a great day out for your class or group. Arrange a pre-visit for one of your group leaders to familiarise you with our site. From carpark 1 the walk to the Natural play area is a moderate incline and a 15 minute walk.
Costs and memberships
With Educational Group Access Pass – free
Non Educational Group Access Pass £3.50/child
Accompanying adults free
Connect with Nature Days
Foundation Stage
Use the incredible gardens to explore your senses. Compare how humans and animals use their sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch differently. This program is all outdoors and therefore best suited to late Spring, Summer and early Autumn.
Key Stage 1
Investigate the bugs, birds and wild life that live at the property. Find out why they like to live at Mount Stewart, how they survive and how we help to protect their habitat. Get stuck into bug hunts, bird calls, woodland art and much more.
Key Stage 2
Test your survival skills and team work by building shelters & lighting fires. Embrace your inner cave person by honing your tracking and stalking instincts. Then take some time to tune into nature and be inspired by the colours, shapes and sounds everywhere you look.
We can adapt the programmes to incorporate seasonal topics for example, Seeds & Leaves in the Autumn, please contact the CYP team for further information and inspiration.
These facilitated programmes will deliver a truly memorable day for your group which will deepen your understanding of the importance of nature, how you can connect with it and how you can protect it for the future.
Costs
With Educational Group Access Pass - £6.95/child
Non Educational Group Access Pass - £8.95/child
Accompanying adults free
Hire an experience maker
Hire one of our Experience Makers to help you create a memorable day. They can offer ideas and use their knowledge of the site to make sure you make the most of your visit. The Experience Maker can accompany you for part or all of your time to the property and support you as you lead your group.This is an ideal way to enhance a self guided visit.
Costs
£75 per guide for up to 3 hours
Connect with History Days (Not available on Tuesdays)
Step back in time with our exciting living history experiences and discover life at the Big House through the ages. Costumed options for KS1 & KS2. Including our Victorian Schoolroom, The Big House, Toys & Games and a visit to see the coachman. Our much loved Christmas Estate Party will be available from mid November.
You Rang M’Lord
A Costumed Living History Programme on life in early 19th century. Suitable for KS2
Servants are urgently required to assist in the preparation and serving of a great dinner to be held in Mount Stewart.
This is to celebrate the arrival of Kind Edward 7th and his wife, who are here to open the Royal Victoria Hospital in honour of his mother the late Queen Victoria.
Victorian Life
A Costumed Living History programme for KS1
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wealthy child living in Mount Stewart House or a young girl working there as a servant? Come and let us show you how…
Estate Party
Runs from Mid Nov to Mid December. Suited to Upper KS1 and lower KS2.
Go back in time to December 1950 and find out how the grandchildren of the late 7th Marquis are helping their grandmother prepare for the annual Christmas Party for the staff and tenants.
Costs for all Connect with History Days
With Educational Group Access Pass - £6.95/child
Non Educational Group Access Pass - £8.95/child
Accompanying adults free
The Connect with Nature and History days last for 3 hours from arrival to departure including break and lunch. You're welcome to stay on the property after this time, without a guide until the property closes
Outreach Programmes
Toytime with Nanny (1 hour)
Lady Mairi's childhood nanny comes to you from Mount Stewart to show you the toys the children would have played with in the early 20th century, as well as giving plenty of time for the children to have a play too. All shared toys will be cleaned and quarantined between visits.
Costs: £65 for one class and £45 for any subsequent class plus £0.55 per mile for any travel over 20 miles. Book your session here cyp.mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk.
What else do I need to know?
- Guided groups can make use of our indoor space 'Ed Shed' for break and lunch and weather permitting the outdoor classroom.
- Evening visits can be set up for your youth organisation.
Educational Group Access Pass
Educational Group Access Pass (EGAP) supports the National Trust to look after the special places that you will visit and allows education groups free entry self guided to most places owned by the National Trust.
Who is eligible to purchase the Education Group Access Pass?
The Education Group Access Pass (EGAP) is available to eligible education organisations whose students or members are in full-time or early years education.
There are three categories of EGAP:
- Home educating groups
- Not-for-profit education groups
- For-profit education groups
Eligible groups may include:
- Childminders
- Colleges/sixth forms
- Education centres/field study centres
- Home-educators
- Pre-schools/nurseries
- Schools
- Scout and Guide groups
- Universities/university societies
- Youth clubs
The eligibility for either the not-for-profit or for-profit EGAP categories depends on the specific circumstances of the group that is applying:
- Private schools are eligible for the not-for-profit tier if established as a not-for-profit organisation or charity.
- For academies made up of multiple schools or institutions, we recommend that each school should hold its own EGAP.
- Commercial companies without a specific or core focus on education aren’t eligible to hold the EGAP. For example:
- A commercial company that runs tours or activities to people of any age, and/or where education is not their core focus, would not be eligible for any EGAP.
- An outdoor education centre/field study centre with a clear focus on those in full-time or early years education would be eligible for an EGAP of the appropriate category.
- Outdoor experience providers who are not eligible for an EGAP may be eligible to run activities or events at our places via the Responsible Experience Providers Scheme. Find out more details.
The National Trust reserves the right to make the final decision on whether a group falls within the definitions of the respective EGAP categories.
All groups (except home educators visiting solely with their own children) must ensure sufficient insurance is in place for all group visits. Groups without sufficient insurance are not permitted to purchase or use an EGAP.
Costs and payment
Subscriptions cover one year from the date of purchase.
| Education Group Access Pass category | Rate (inclusive of VAT) |
| Home educating family | £63.00 |
| Not-for-profit education group | £63.00 |
| For-profit education group | £189.00 |
Payment for Education Group Access Passes must currently be made through the Supporter Services Centre via an approved debit or credit card, cheque, BACS or bank transfer. We can't issue invoices for access passes, and you won't be able to apply for an EGAP at the places in our care.
For each subscription paid, you'll receive one access pass for your school or organisation. If your school or organisation regularly runs multiple trips to different National Trust places at the same time, each visiting group would require their own EGAP. You can buy any subsequent passes for your group at the same price as the first pass, and each pass would have its own start and end date.
Education Group Access Passes don't automatically renew and currently can't be renewed before the group's existing pass expires. When the pass expires (one year after purchase) you can contact the Supporter Services Centre to re-apply.
At Mount Stewart, Education Group Access Pass is required for most self-led activities, and EGAP members receive a discount on any National Trust led visits booked with us.
How do I book?
Make your booking enquiry at cyp.mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk. Once you've completed your booking enquiry form we’ll be in touch to plan the visit for your group.
Additional information
We are continually improving and increasing the learning offer at Mount Stewart. We’re currently working on some new and exciting heritage and history based offers along with an environmental outreach option. Watch this space for news of these launching soon.
You might also be interested in
Downloadable CYP Flyer
Pre-bookable activities for schools and youth groups.
Education Group Access Pass
If you’re planning educational group visits to National Trust places, then you could benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives you free admission for a year.
Explore the garden at Mount Stewart
Take a stroll through the world-class garden at Mount Stewart and discover an extraordinary scope of plant collections and original, historic features.
Winterwatch at Mount Stewart
Pull on your walking boots, choose your route and head out for a walk on the Mount Stewart estate. Spot seasonal wildlife as you go, or run wild in the natural play area.
Family-friendly places in Northern Ireland
Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in Northern Ireland with a day out at the places in our care. With outdoor trails for inquisitive minds and natural play areas to let off steam, family adventures await all year round. If rain descends on your outdoor playground, take shelter in our family-friendly cafés for some well-deserved treats. Check property websites for specific opening times and events.
