Visiting Rowallane Garden with family

Family exploring the Christmas trail at Rowallane Garden, County Down | © James Beck

Whether you're looking for rainy day indoor activities or running, skipping and jumping around the Pleasure Ground play area, or looking for things to do with the kids there’s something to occupy all ages here at Rowallane Garden. Find out what's on offer and the details you need to plan your visit.

Planning your family visit

If you're planning a day out at Rowallane Garden with the family, here is some useful information

Getting around Rowallane Garden:

The gardens are buggy-friendly, with step-free access from the archway by the side of the house. The natural play area, Explore and Play, is located at the top of the Pleasure Ground are a popular area for families.

Walk past the house, along East Drive to see views of The Cage and go deer spotting as you pass the deer sanctuary.

The Spring Ground has sweeping vistas out onto the natural landscape and a backdrop of colour offered by the mix of rhododendrons, azaleas and bulbs in spring and the warm tones of viburnums and changing foliage in autumn. There's always a display on offer in this calm corner of the garden.
Pick n mix children's lunch

There’s a 'pick and mix' style picnic box available for children in the cafe. Choose a sandwich, drink and a selection of three snacks for £5.25.

High chairs

High chairs are available to borrow at the café - please ask a member of staff to bring one to your table.

Upcoming family-friendly events

Storytelling Sessions at Rowallane Garden
6 November and 4 December, 11.30am-12noon.

Wrap up warm and snuggle into a story in our second hand bookshop at Rowallane Garden. Particularly aimed at the little ones in the family, come and join us for a story every Wednesday morning in the bookshop.

The perfect thing for a cold, wet winters morning.

Deck out your Gingerbread Man

1 December, 11am - 12 noon & 1pm - 2pm.

Join us for a festive Sunday afternoon in the Rowallane Garden Cafe for gingerbread men decorating!Your little elves can use their awesome decorating skills to design and decorate their scrumptious gingerbread man.

Santa Letter Trail

1 - 24 December, 10am - 3.30pm daily.

Have you written a letter to Santa? Come and post it with us to make sure your Christmas wishes make their way to the North Pole in time for the big day.Follow the arrows across the garden and solve clues along the way to work out Santa’s postcode.

This festive fun filled walk will lead you to our Christmas Postbox hidden somewhere in the garden. Wrap up warm and make some magic memories with us.

For full listings of events at Rowallane Garden visit our What's On page

Play areas

Explore and Play

The natural play area, Explore and Play, is located at the top of the Pleasure Ground. It's been made using completely natural materials. Fallen trees have been reimagined as climbing frames, activity dens are made from branches from the garden and stepping stones are inventively fashioned from cut stumps and logs. Intricate chainsaw sculptures depicting exotic animals.

Our aim was to create an interactive environment that feels like part of the landscape providing a pathway to a deeper connection with nature. We hope it encourages kids big and small to engage with their senses, appreciate being outdoors and indulge their imaginations.

Balance bikes

Balance Bikes are the perfect way to help your future cyclists learn how to ride in the safety of the great outdoors. That's why we are delighted to offer free-to-hire balance bikes to our visitors, with helmets, from visitor reception. You don’t need to book anything, and the balance bikes are free to use – just turn up and get going.

PLEASE NOTE - Balance bikes and bikes with stabilisers are welcome - our trails are not designed for larger cycles.

Rowallane Garden Bike Policy

In the interest of protecting our plant collection and preventing injury to cyclists and others as our paths are not suitable for high speed or large bikes, the following bike policy has been agreed. Children on bikes with a wheel size up to 14 inches are welcome to cycle in the garden. • Please remain on paths (this includes mown paths on lawns). • Bikes are not permitted in the Walled Garden & Rock Garden. • Castleward have more extensive bike trails suitable for larger bikes. Please ask a member of staff for more details. • People arriving on bicycles that do not meet the above criteria can access the property via the main avenue and are welcome to leave their bike at the bicycle rack located by the admissions area. • Please demonstrate consideration to visitors at all times when cycling on the property.

Rainy and Sunny day activities

Whether sunshine or a little downpour, we’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves with our top indoor and outdoor adventures for days at Rowallane Garden. From exploring the natural play area to indoor fun in the barn, there's plenty of interactive fun for all weathers. Click the arrows to find out more...

Mother and child in the children's play area at Rowallane Garden | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Come and explore the natural playground

Let your little ones run wild in our natural playground. It's been made using completely natural materials. Fallen trees have been reimagined as climbing frames, activity dens are made from branches from the garden and stepping stones are inventively fashioned from cut stumps and logs. Intricate chainsaw sculptures depicting exotic animals.

A bright red balance bike rests against a table at on the porch of the Welcome Hut at Rowallane Garden — Borrow a balance bike | © Catriona Corrigan

Get set to ride a balance 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 our welcome hut. 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. There are plenty of paths to follow through the garden and the wide-open space of the spring meadow makes it a great place to ride around.

Famliy in the play barn at Rowallane Garden | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Play in the warmth of the family-fun Barn

Let your creativity run wild and bond with your family as you explore the wonderful world of arts and crafts! Our barn provides the perfect setting for a fun-filled day of painting, drawing, and creating. [Please note, the barn may be closed during quieter periods of the year, ask a staff member for its opening times].

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What's Next?

Looking for more events for the whole family? Have a look at our highlights for the next few months.

14 and 15 December

After a long wait, we’re decking the halls, prepping the stalls and bringing back this much-loved family favourite. Back by popular demand, local traders return to the Stableyard for a weekend of festive fun.

Get in the Christmas spirit with us as you browse the stalls in search of those special gifts, take in the smells of the season and hear the sounds of choirs floating through the garden.

While you’re here, look out for Santa! He may just be out for a walk around the garden and we’re sure he’ll be happy to meet you!
1 - 24 December

Have you written a letter to Santa? Come and post it with us to make sure your Christmas wishes make their way to the North Pole in time for the big day.

Follow the arrows across the garden and solve clues along the way to work out Santa’s postcode.

This festive fun filled walk will lead you to our Christmas Postbox hidden somewhere in the garden. Wrap up warm and make some magic memories with us.

See all events at Rowallane

Perfect for picnics

There are picnic tables across the garden, and some off the beaten track spots where you can enjoy the peace and quiet. You can bring a picnic blanket or borrow one of ours, pack your own picnic basket or stock up in the café which serves range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and sweet treats for you to grab.

Look out for signs of the changing seasons

Rowallane Garden is a garden for every season. Enjoy the seasonal changes as you explore the woodlands and gardens. Look out for the wildlife that calls Rowallane Garden home. Why not have a go at checking off the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' check list on your next visit. Take a look at our full list of '50 things'

Family walking in Rowallane Garden, County Down in November

Discover more at Rowallane Garden

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Plan your visit

Visitors enjoying their refreshments in the cafe at Rowallane Garden, County Down

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Things to do at Rowallane Garden

Discover one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful gardens and explore the Victorian pleasure grounds, walled garden and woodland. There's something to see all year round.

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‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’

Plan fresh-air activities, discover facts about nature and wildlife or learn a new skill with our suggestions for ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.

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Family-friendly places to visit

Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.

Family-friendly places in Northern Ireland

Discover the best family-friendly places to visit in Northern Ireland this autumn with a day out at the places in our care. Enjoy crisp, colourful woodland walks that spark curiosity and natural play areas perfect for burning off energy. As the vibrant autumn leaves fall, family adventures await around every corner. If the weather turns chilly or damp, take shelter in our cosy, family-friendly cafés and indulge in some seasonal treats. Be sure to check property websites for up-to-date opening times and special autumn events.

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Things to do

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Visiting Rowallane Garden with family

Planning your family visit

Upcoming family-friendly events