Things to do in County Down

Visit some of Northern Ireland's most iconic Game of Thrones® filming locations on this guided tour from Dublin. Dress up and captures some fantastic pictures of you reliving iconic moments from the show. Head the meeting point and hop aboard a climate-controlled bus. Make a quick coffee and comfort stop from 8:45-9:00. Pass the time in the coach with onboard entertainment, including a behind-the-scenes DVD clips and a 'Brain of Thrones' quiz to see who will be crowned King or Queen in the North. Arrive at Tollymore Forest Park at 10:15 and take a 3-kilometer trek to several iconic season one locations, including where the Night's Watch first encountered the White Walkers and where the Starks find a dead direwolf and her litter of pups. After your morning trek, travel on to Strangford, a small fishing village where you there is a break for lunch. Your guide will pass around a menu to pre-order a hot pub lunch from 13:00-14:00. You may also bring a packed lunch if you prefer. After lunch, visit Old Castle Ward, the location of Winterfell castle and courtyard in season one. Go on a second 3-kilometer walk around the estate to visit several season one and two locations including a tower house used as one of Walder Frey's Twins and Robb Stark's war camp in the Riverlands.  The final stop of the day is Inch Abbey, the 12th century ruins where Robb Stark was declared King in the North at the end of season one. Your guide will provide real wool Stark cloaks, Stark banners and metal swords and shields to help you go full immersive and channel your inner Stark solider.

Depart Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn Hotel) at 7:30. Drive one hour to the first visit of the day, Old Castle Ward, the location of Winterfell castle and courtyard in season one. Take a morning trek around the estate to visit locations including Walder Frey's Twins and Robb Stark's Camp in the Riverlands. After the morning trek, you will then stop for lunch at a charming local pub. Your guide will pass around a menu to pre-order a hot pub lunch if you wish. You may also bring a packed lunch if you prefer (cost of lunch is not included in your ticket price). After lunch, visit Inch Abbey, the film location where Robb Stark became King in the North. Here your guide will provide real wool Stark cloaks, direwolf banners, metal swords and shields for photo opportunities. Final visit of the day is Tollymore Forest Park. This is the forest where the Night's Watch first encountered the White Walkers and where the Stark's find a dead direwolf and her litter of pups. After your trek has been completed you will then return to Belfast. You'll be dropped off back at Leonardo Hotel.

Wander through 100 acres of beautiful gardens which have been developed from the 1780. Discover the contrast of ornamental grounds and peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and trimmed lawns. Explore the Lime Tree Walk, Granville Garden, the Lady Alice Temple, the Quaker Burial ground and an Ice House. Imagine the gardens in different times as you walk through the Walled Garden, dating back to the 18th Century. This is a large, four-acre site historically used to produce fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house. As part of the Hillsborough Castle Project in 2018, the gardens have been restored to create a beautiful working and productive garden. See the renovations complete with dipping pond, crop rotations, seasonal produce, potting sheds, herbaceous borders and an apple orchard.

Experience this part of Ireland as it was over 100 years ago at this remarkable open-air, living history museum located on the outskirts of Belfast. Here is a place where you can go back in time to see the ways that our recent ancestors lived and discover the traditions, stories, and skills passed down through many generations of people in Ulster. Where the bustling, fictional town of Ballycultra, made up of original exhibit buildings that once stood in places from all over Ulster, meets the rolling hills and country lanes of the countryside, in this place frozen in time. As you wander through the cobbled streets and historic buildings in this meticulously recreated village, you’ll meet costumed guides and first-person interpreters showing you a way of life from years gone by. See a variety of folk activities and traditional craft demonstrations every day, from traditional wool weaving to blacksmithing and heritage carpentry to traditional Irish bread baking. Breathe in the fresh air of the countryside and explore rural Ulster, where whitewashed farmhouses and other native dwellings dot the fields and where there’s also a full working farm with animals, farmed using traditional farming techniques. Visit the Ballycultra Tearoom for a light bite and refreshments, or bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the many picnic benches located on the museum site. McCusker's Pub exhibit building is now a fully licensed pub so why not drop in for a drink? Enjoy some fantastic shopping opportunities at the museum, including the museum gift shop which has a wide variety of gifts, books, souvenirs, and local crafts. A small selection of one-of-a-kind crafts made on-site by our talented craft demonstrators are also available – the perfect memento of your visit to the museum. Some of the exhibit shop buildings also trade like they used to back in the day - like Carruth's Corner Shop, which serves sweets the traditional way. Every bag is weighed out in ounces and quarters with vintage ounce weights. Carruth's serves a selection of old-fashioned confectionery from vanilla fudge to Strawberry bonbons - a real treat and firm visitor favorite.

This walking tour visits three iconic Game of Thrones® locations deep in Tollymore Forest. The first is the location of the opening prologue scene of the very first episode, the "wildling pit" where the Night's Watch finds dismembered wildling bodies in the snow. The second location is a campfire where Tyrion and Jon talk on their way north to the Wall. The third location is the bridge where the Stark's find a dead Direwolf and her litter of pups. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours, and will involve you joining the 10:00AM Winterfell coach tour customers on their locations trek through the forest. The total walking distance is 2 miles (3.2 kilometers), and the terrain is uneven, with a steep descent into, and final ascent out of the forest from the car park. Accordingly, this tour is not recommended for anyone with limited mobility. As you begin you tour, your guide will give you a Stark wool cloak as part of the tour, at no extra cost. Please feel free to ask the guide before the tour begins.

Immerse yourself in a truly unique experience designed for friends, family, or solo adventurers. Embark on a leisurely stroll alongside a gentle alpaca, trek a breath-taking 1.4km stoned pathway that gracefully winds through captivating farmland, enchanting woodland, and serene wetlands. Traverse over bridges and undulating picturesque terrain, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Upon completing your guided walk, indulge in a delightful interlude at our coffee trailer, nestled on a small island amidst one of our picturesque ponds. Savour the essence of a proper tea or coffee, accompanied by delectable bakes that will tantalise your taste buds. Your mini adventure commences as you arrive at our meticulously landscaped car park, boasting a variety of amenities including toilet facilities, catering to the needs of all visitors, including those with reduced mobility and families with babies. Warmly greeted by our friendly alpaca trekking guides, you will be introduced to your very own alpaca companion. Under the guidance of your expert handler, embark on our distinctive trail, which typically spans around 30 to 40 minutes. Towards the end of the trail, your guide will ensure the alpacas are securely tied up, while you venture forth to the island oasis housing the coffee trailer and inviting picnic tables, offering an array of refreshments and snacks for purchase. Subsequently, you are free to explore the remaining section of the walk at your leisure or simply bask in the company of the alpacas. For a truly indulgent experience during lunchtime slots, you have the option to pre-purchase a luxurious picnic hamper. This exquisite hamper can accompany you to any of our many strategically placed picnic tables or benches scattered along the captivating walk. Please note that each time slot is strictly limited to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or 2 hours if you opt for the luxury picnic hamper experience. It is imperative to arrive at least 10 minutes before your designated slot time to ensure a seamless experience, as the group will proceed without any latecomers. Join us on this extraordinary alpaca trekking adventure and let the tranquillity of nature and the companionship of these gentle creatures create memories that will stay with you forever.

Your adventure will start at our store situated less than a mile from the entrance to Slieve Gullion Forest (we optionally offer an uplift to Slieve Gullion car park) All bikes come with kickstand, lights, locks and are fitted with puncture proof armour so the fun doesn't stop. Helmets and high vis vests are supplied for each rider, we also offer child seat and trailer options so nobody misses out! Our very helpful and friendly staff will supply guided routes/trails to suit the riders abilities and answer any questions you may have. The dramatic and inspiring views that draw your eyes out across southern Armagh, to Dublin Bay, even Wicklow on a good day, are simply out of this world and free of charge!!!

Join your silent disco team as they take you on a journey of song and dance through the famous streets of Newcastle. This musically instructed adventure aims to have your funky moves on display and your pop star voices serenading the people of the "toon". Your hi-tech headsets will fill your body with beats, playing iconic tunes and your favorite hits from across the decades. As your inhibitions evaporate and laughter takes over, you will be part of the best all-dancing, all-singing walking tour in town. Ganging up with your super-stylish leader at the starting point, you’ll groove down the historic streets, passing famous landmarks, performers and the public, who will surely be looking on in awe and jealousy. Your moves are awesome, you just don’t know it yet.

Experience stand up paddleboarding with top-of-the-range SUP boards on the sheltered waters of Castlewellan Lake. This is a must-try for adventurers of all ages and abilities. From a warm welcome to warm showers and everything in between, have everything covered. Meet the team at the lakeside center, receive all the kit that you’ll need, including SUP boards, wetsuits, buoyancy aids, paddles, and accessories, and make full use of the center facilities including changing and showering. Whether you simply want to stay and play in the Castle Bay or go with the flow and take on the Lake Trail, you’re guaranteed an awesome time. Travel Times from regional Cities: Belfast 45 mins Dublin 1.30 hr

Explore the Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails, located in Castlewellan Forest Park, with a E-bike rental situated right beside the trail head. Follow the trails to Northern Ireland’s most famous lakes, a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, and more. Castlewellan Forest Park is a paradise for adventure lovers and biking enthusiasts with green, blue, red, and black-grade trails. With a bike rental, you can create your own itinerary and pedal at your own pace through Northern Island's lush landscapes. Our Castlewellan Bike Hire packages include everything needed to get you started on the awesome Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails… Simply Book, Go Further, See More & Feel Awesome! Travel Times from regional Cities: Belfast 45 mins Dublin 1.5 hours Collect your electric bike from our Castlewellan Hub at the foot of the Mourne Mountains NO Experience necessary Travel Times from regional Cities: Belfast 45 mins Dublin 1.5 hours,