Visiting Mount Stewart with Family

What's on this Autumn

 

European Heritage Weekend (EHOD) 2026

Join us this EHOD and explore Mount Stewart, with free entry for all visitors on 12 and 13 September 2026. Come and meet our staff and volunteers, and learn more about the amazing places we look after. Take the opportunity to explore the nearly 300 acre grounds including the historic Mansion House, world class Formal Gardens, picturesque lake walk and children's Natural Play Area. Come and meet our friendly staff and volunteers, and learn more about the amazing places we look after. 

Meet the Maker in our shop and see local artisans at work and take home a piece of Mount Stewart with you , with our plant sales at the front of House, all grown at Mount Stewart.

 

Shorelife Celebration

Join us for the Shorelife Celebration event in Mount Stewart and WWT Castle Espie on Saturday 10 October from 10am - 5pm. Enjoy free entry at this exciting event, brought to you by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Mount Stewart & WWT Castle Espie.

This event offers a rare chance to experience the wonders of our shoreline. Enjoy a day filled with fun activities, engaging talks and tours, live music, and delicious local food and drink. Lots of extra entertainment, kids’ crafts, and activities for families and nature lovers alike! Plus Live music and local food and drink available throughout the day.

 

Halloween at Mount Stewart

Over at Mount Stewart or Mount Strange as its been called recently, unusual sightings have been reported as Halloween approaches. Visitors can follow the enchanting Magic Ink Pot trail through the House, where spooky surprises await from 24 October to 1 November. Get out in nature with our Frightful Fernery trail this Halloween! Strange sightings at Mount Stewart have been become more frequent as we approach Halloween, do you dare seek them out?

 

 

Check out our What's On page here for more details!

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.