Castle Ward

Castle Ward is a unique 18th century house with a Gothic tone set in a stunning location overlooking Strangford Lough. Within the 820 acre walled lands you will find an exotic sunken garden and paths that wind their way through woodland and suddenly open onto the quiet shores of the Lough.

The kids can dress up in the garb of the day and play with period toys in the Victorian Past Times centre, plus see how a Victorian laundry, cornmill and sawmill would have worked (with most of the horrors of the workhouse left out!). Really educational and of course because it's so immersive, the information sticks, too!

They'll also be able to visit the horses, pigs and hens in the farmyard or play in the Woodland play area, which features sturdy outdoor natural style equipment for kids 2 to 10 years. There's also the Adventure play area and that features more modern style of physical fun and great for slightly older kids to join in with!

It should be noted for older types that this was one of the film locations for Game of Thrones, the courtyard here being used to represent Winterfell. Ooooh!

Nearby you can also canoe, climb and abseil the cliffs, and build a raft with Clearsky Adventure!