Visiting Mount Stewart with Family

Shorelife Celebration 2025

Activities

Enjoy crafts and outdoor games. Keep an eye out for themed characters who will be exploring Mount Stewart, and listen to some storytelling - why not bring and old book and swap for another at the Book Nook?

Screenings and Stories

• Archive footage of Strangford Lough, and surrounding area (Main House) 
• BBC Tiny Wonders is a children's series created by animator Daniel Short, encouraging children to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature, nurturing mindfulness and observation skills (Sensory Room)
• 'Tales by the Tide' story time in the Tipi 

Weaving a seascape
With Kiri Cottage Crafts, and creative mermaid crafts.

Wildlife and Nature
Exploris touch tank, fungi walk with Aoife Walls, and National Trust tree trail tour.

Strangford Stone and Fossils
With Dr Mike Simms, found in the old limestone quarries at Castle Espie, and other marine fossils from around Northern Ireland.

Talks and Tours
Learn about the local wildlife, conservation efforts, and the history of Mount Stewart through guided tours and expert talks.

Live Music
Enjoy performances from local musicians throughout the day.

Find the Butterflies
Find the butterflies hidden around the venue and claim a small prize from the Ards and North Down Borough Council Visitor Information Centre caravan, located beside the house.
(Prizes are subject to availability).

Special Guests
Hear from representatives from the National Trust and local environmental organisations who will be sharing their insights and answering your questions. A unique opportunity to learn more about appreciating and protecting our beautiful shoreline.

Get creative, and close to nature

•    Free entertainment and creative activities for all ages, live music and a few surprises as you explore the stunning gardens, and lake walk and estate grounds. 

•   Kids can get creative at themed craft stations.

•   Mini beasts backpacks - borrow a mini beast backpack, perfect for budding wildlife explorers. Kids can use their very own magnifying bug collector and binoculars to take a closer look at all kinds of wildlife and bugs. 

•   Learn about native marine species with Exploris Aquarium's touch tank - a favourite for all ages!

Fungi Fun with Aoife de Bhál

Delve into the magical and mysterious world of mushrooms on a family-friendly tour through the grounds at Mount Stewart. Through games, art and storytelling, participants will discover the fascinating lives of fungi. Everyone will have a chance to find mushrooms in the wild, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the hidden world beneath our feet.

Note: Workshops are limited to 15 children per session. Parental supervision is required at all times for all Fungi Tours and Workshop participation.

Session Times (sessions last 45m):
10.30am – 11.15am
12noon – 12.45pm
2pm – 2.45pm 

Curated by Northern Ireland Science Festival

About Aoife de Bhál

Aoife de Bhál is Béal Feirste native, who set up Fálróid with the aim of connecting people of all ages to the natural world around them. Fálróid is the Irish for 'walking slowly, at your ease', and this ethos of relaxed, mindful engagement with nature is present throughout all events and workshops. Aoife offers foraging walks, forest school activities, talks and nature crafts. The connection between the Irish language and the land is at the heart of this work, and all workshops are available bilingually.

Look Closer: Screenings & Mini Lab Workshops 

Calling all little explorers! Join us for an exciting adventure as we Look Closer and Discover Nature! Watch five episodes of BBC/CBeebies Tiny Wonders on the BIG screen, and then dive into hands-on exploration in our Mini Lab Zones. Led by scientists from Queens University Belfast Marine Lab, kids will get to use real microscopes and take a closer look at fascinating little curiosities from nature.

Just like the Nogglins, your child will have the chance to 'Look Closer' at nature’s wonders and embark on a fun-filled journey of discovery! If your child has a tiny object they'd love to see under a microscope, bring it along for an up-close examination.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to introduce your child to the amazing world of science and nature!

Note: Parental supervision is required for all Mini Lab Workshop participation. Film screening will last approximately 20 minutes, followed by a 25-minute Mini Lab session.

Session Times (sessions last 45m):
11am – 11.45am 
12noon – 12.45pm 
2pm – 2.45pm 
3pm - 3.45pm

Curated by Northern Ireland Science Festival

Stories behind the Stones

This is an ongoing, drop in activity.
10.30am - 4.30pm (1-2pm break)
Location: Strangford Lough Lookout, at the entrance of the grounds.

Join Dr Mike Simms, Senior Curator of Natural Sciences at National Museums NI, for a fascinating journey into the deep past of Northern Ireland. With overall responsibility for the national geological collections — encompassing fossils, minerals, rocks, and meteorites — Mike brings a wealth of expertise and captivating stories drawn from millions of years of Earth’s history.

For this event, Mike will share fossils similar to those discovered in the old limestone quarries at Castle Espie, alongside remarkable marine fossils from across Northern Ireland. From ancient shorelines to the creatures that once thrived there, discover how these stones hold the secrets of life long before us.

Curated by Northern Ireland Science Festival

STEM Storytime - 'Tales by the Tide'

Location: Bookshop

Selection of children's stories read aloud by National Trust Volunteers at Mount Stewart. They may also have some stories of their own to tell!

Curated by Northern Ireland Science Festival

 

Halloween at Mount Stewart

Join us this Halloween for a walk on the eerie side from Saturday 25 October Sunday 2 November.

As the fog rolls in and the trees cast long, twisted shadows, venture deep into the heart of Mount Stewart for spooky fun. Stay tuned for more details.

Check out our What's On page here.

Planning your family visit

• Children under 5 go free.
• Hit the trails and head up to the Natural Play area where hours of den building fun and exploring opportunities await you.
• Tracker packs available to borrow to add to your adventure.
• Calm (sensory) bags available to borrow free of charge from the visitor reception for visitors with additional needs.
• Accessible buggy-friendly paths around the lake, gardens and up to the Natural Play Area.
• Some parts of the woodland may present a challenge to buggies.
• High chairs and children’s meals available in the Tea-room.
• Children must be supervised at all times as there are water features in the formal gardens and uneven surfaces on site.
• Baby changing facilities located in disability access toilets in the Carpark Toilets, Visitor Reception toilets and the Courtyard. 
• The Tea-room offers a selection of tasty kids meals and treats. 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.
• Spotter sheet to complete as you explore the house
• Seasonal activity sheets available to the courtyard.
• Scooters, balance bikes and bikes with stabilisers can be used at Mount Stewart (adult and bikes without stabiliser not permitted)

Where to start...

• Head off round the lake to do a spot of bird watching and on your way stop by the Squirrel Hide to see if you can spot some of Mount Stewarts resident Red Squirrels.

• Hit the trails where adventure awaits, with 10 miles of trails, dotted with bridges, streams and folly's to discover and then head up to the Natural Play area for a spot of den building.
• Take a wander round the Mansion house and hear how the Londonderry family children lived and the adventures they had. Stop by the Tea-room for a treat before finding a good read in the children's section of the second-hand bookshop & shop.

Explore the Gardens and Lake 

Take a gentle stroll around the lake walk and see how many different birds you can spot and the rainbow colours of the Rhododendrons blooming everywhere. Get lost in the Fernery and have fun finding your way through the winding paths and over bridges to find your way out. Say hello to the White Stag which is surrounded by wild flowers in the summer. Quietly make your way up to the squirrel hide and you might just see one of the Red Squirrels who call Mount Stewart home. 

Hit the Trails

With more than 10 miles of trails set in ancient wood and farm land to explore, pack a picnic and set off on an adventure. Take in the ancient Folly on the Red Trail which is surrounded by a carpet of Bluebells in spring and take a moment to lie down and do a spot of forest bathing while you're there on the log beds. Toilets can be found by behind the Temple of Winds overlooking Strangford Lough. 

Wander up to the Natural Play Area inspired by the story The Magic Ink Pot written by Edith Lady Londonderry for her children. Tip toe your way along the balance beams, seek out the carved woodland & fairytale figures and build yourself a cosy den to hide in. 

Tick off more of your ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’

Head outdoors and get your little ones closer to nature this winter. Are you ready to try out 50 of the wildest, most fun-packed and exciting things to do in the great outdoors? Do your favourite activities over and over again, or try all 50: the choice is yours.