Castlewellan Forest Park covers 450 hectares of land lying north of the Mourne Mountains. Outdoor activities include camping and touring, walking, cycling, horse riding, fishing on the lake, canoeing and orienteering. Located in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea, this is one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world.
Beside ‘Castlewellan Forest’ you’ll find the Peace Maze, one of the world’s largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze. It covers 2.7 acres (11,000 square meters) with a hedge length of over 2 miles (3,550 meters), a path length of 3,147 meters, and a hedge height of 1.5 meters, which is lower than the usual hedge maze height, done so to facilitate communication and interaction between visitors in different areas of the paths.
You might be a couple, a family or a group of friends, either way Life Adventure Centre will tailor the adventure to age, ability & itinerary.
Whatever your next outdoor adventure, be it simply stand up paddle board hire, mountain bike hire, kayak hire or electric bike hire from our extensive range of equipment, creating your own adventure on a self-guided experience or maximising the adventure on a guided experience with passionate guides.
Likewise, you could hone your rock climbing skills in the care of professional coaches, explore more on one of their Coasteering tours in the company of their friendly guides, or you could join like-minded souls at one of their many Hill Walking events, or maybe you’ve something else in mind and want to go bespoke.
Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It’s open to the public all year. Tollymore Forest Park offers many outdoor activities like camping and touring, walking, horse riding and orienteering. Other activities include sporting events or educational visits.
The Mourne Mountains are the highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland, its summits crowned by granite tors. The mountains themselves are criss-crossed by an unrivalled network of paths and tracks. The routes provide enthusiastic walkers with incredible opportunities for exploration. The Mournes are divided into 2 very distinctive areas – the Eastern or ‘High’ Mournes and the Western or ‘Low’ Mournes. Any newcomer to the Mournes will be simply amazed at the variety of landscapes that can be encountered within such a confined geographical area.
Newcastle Beach is a popular tourist destination located on the South Down coast. Newcastle Beach comprises of sand, pebbles and larger stones and is approximately 2.5 km in length. The major part of Newcastle Beach is backed by a promenade and the seaside town of Newcastle, which has lots of shops, amusements and other attractions. The beach has a very gentle slope with the Mountains of Mourne in the background.
Ringed by mountains, Silent Valley, located within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has become an important visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. An absolutely beautiful valley. All trails start and end at the car park and are graded according to difficulty. Silent Valley is not just a water reservoir – it is a spectacular example of the stunning scenery and wildlife that the Mourne Mountains have to offer.
The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick is the starting point for any visitor who wishes to know more about Ireland’s patron saint. The exhibition explores the legacy of Patrick, ancient and modern, and recalls the saint’s own story – in his own words. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore how Patrick’s legacy developed in early Christian times and reveals the fabulous artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age. The exhibition also examines the major impact of Irish missionaries in Europe between the fifth and ninth centuries, a legacy which remains to this day.
Hillsborough Castle has been a grand family home and is now the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and a royal residence. Members of the Royal Family stay at Hillsborough when visiting Northern Ireland. Hillsborough has played an important role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland since the 1980s. In 2014, Historic Royal Palaces took over the running of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and began an ambitious project to restore the house and gardens to its former glory.
Rowallane Garden is a special place for you to enjoy a great days out. It is one of the most beautiful gardens to visit in Northern Ireland and is often described as a hidden gem. A mix of formal and informal garden spaces are waiting to be explored. Journey through the garden and discover the secret worlds within our world apart. Whatever the season there’s always something new to see.
Seaforde Gardens, Maze and Tropical Butterfly House promises a truly plant rich and nature-filled experience for visitors. Situated in the historic Demesne of Seaforde in County Down, which has been a family home for almost 400 years, visitors will discover an historic walled garden that has something for everyone. The perfect place in which to unwind for an afternoon or to hunt out your favourite spot.
Slieve Croob is a mountain with a height of 534 metres (1,752 ft) in the middle of County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the heart of a mountainous area known as the Dromara Hills, north of the Mourne Mountains. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the source of the River Lagan. There is a small road to the summit, where there is an ancient burial cairn and several transmitter stations with radio masts. It has wide views over all of County Down and further afield. The Dromara Hills also includes Slievenisky, Cratlieve, Slievegarran and Slievenaboley.
With many restaurants, cafes and eateries within walking distance, you are spoilt for choice, Being only 5 minutes drive from Dundrum means we are very close to some of the countries best restaurants, from Seafood to a good steak. In Newcastle you will find Indian restaurants, Italians Restaurants and even some nice fish and chips.
