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Places to go and see in Down
Looking for somewhere to visit in the UK. We have highlighted the most popular locations
in the UK below. There are also a selection of Farm house bed and breakfast and
other farm based accommodations for you to choose from.
For the student of garden follies, Tollymore is a rare treat. a barn dressed up to look like a church, stone cones atop gate piers and gothic-style gate arches all show the influence of that highly individualistic designer, Thomas Wright of Durham (1711-1786), who was a friend of Lord Clanbrassil, owner of Tollymore at that time. A walk along the Shimna river is marked by many curiosities, natural and artificial - rocky outcrops, bridges, grottos and caves. Elsewhere in the park the tree lover can examine experimental forest plots - some of exotic trees such as monkey puzzle and eucalyptus - or admire the tall giant redwoods and Monterey pines.
The Royal County Down Golf Club was founded in 1889 by a group of influential business and professional men from Belfast. There is some evidence to suggest that even before then a rudimentary form of golf was being played by the townsfolk on the rabbit warren at Newcastle. However, it was the development of a railway line from Belfast to Newcastle by the Belfast & County Down Railway and the emergence of Newcastle as a desirable seaside resort in Victorian times which provided the impetus for the first formal golf course.
The railway was founded in 1985 with the intention of rebuilding the entire former Belfast and County Down Railway branch line to Ardglass. However, it soon became apparent that this was an unrealistic goal and instead the railway was or is being rebuilt to Inch Abbey and Ballydugan - both of which are on the former BCDR Belfast to Newcastle main line.
This is a community museum helping to explain the history and environment of County Down. It occupies the restored buildings of the old Down County Gaol, built between 1789 and 1796. This is the most complete surviving Irish Gaol of its type and period. Its best known prisoner was the United Irishman, Thomas Russell, who was hanged at the gateway in 1803. The building ceased to function as a prison in the 1830s, after a new gaol was built nearby. For the next 150 years it had a chequered history, often serving as a military barracks, and falling into ruin.
Kilclief Castle (Ordnance Survey ref: J597457) is a tower-house castle beside Strangford Lough and 2.5 miles (4km) south of the village of Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland. Kilclief is a hamlet of historical value on the Strangford to Ardglass road. This kind of tower-house is sometimes called the gatehouse type, because of its similarity to a castle gatehouse. It is among the oldest tower houses in Lecale. Kilclief Castle tower house is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Kilclief.
Welcome to Down Cathedral, close to which we believe the mortal remains of Patrick, our Patron Saint, lie buried. The Cathedral stands prominently and majestically as a memorial to our historic past. It is good that it should and that it is preserved as such. But it stands for much more. An historic building such as this lifts us out of the realms of things and circumstances which change into the realm of things which are eternal and do not change; out of the world of passing fancy and fashion into the world of lasting value and intrinsic worth. It gives us a sense of perspective both in space and time.
The Mourne Mountains or Mournes, a granite mountain range located in County Down in the south-east of Northern Ireland, are among the most famous of the mountains in the country. The surrounding area is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is proposed as the first national park in Northern Ireland. The Mournes are partly owned by the National Trust and see a large number of visitors every year. The highest mountain is Slieve Donard at 2,790 ft. The name Mourne is derived from the name of a Gaelic clann or sept called the Múghdorna.
Located in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea, this is one of the most oustanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Aboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world. However, Castlewellan has numerous features that draw wider attention. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. To walk around the forest park's mile-long lake, encountering some intriguing modern sculptures on the way, is to enjoy a great experience of eighteenth-century landscaping.
Inch Abbey is a large, ruined monastic site 0.75 miles north-west of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, on the north bank of the River Quoile in a hollow between two drumlins and featuring early Gothic architecture. The site was originally on an island in the Quoile Marshes. The pre-Norman Celtic monastic settlement here, known as Inis Cumhscraigh, was in existence by the year 800. In 1002 it was plundered by the Vikings led by Sitric, King of the Danes, who came up the Quoile with a fleet from the sea.
Based on the shores of Strangford Lough; just 45 minutes from Belfast. Come to Clearsky Adventure Centre for a wide range of activities on offer to everyone from the young to the young at heart. Adventure days and courses for individuals to large groups. Canoeing, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Coasteering, Raft Build and Racing, Archery, Crate Stacking and more. Experience Clearsky inspiration, fun and enjoyment for everyone.
Tollymore Forest Park
Tollymore Forest Park
For the student of garden follies, Tollymore is a rare treat. a barn dressed up to look like a church, stone cones atop gate piers and gothic-style gate arches all show the influence of that highly individualistic designer, Thomas Wright of Durham (1711-1786), who was a friend of Lord Clanbrassil, owner of Tollymore at that time. A walk along the Shimna river is marked by many curiosities, natural and artificial - rocky outcrops, bridges, grottos and caves. Elsewhere in the park the tree lover can examine experimental forest plots - some of exotic trees such as monkey puzzle and eucalyptus - or admire the tall giant redwoods and Monterey pines.
The Royal County Down Golf Club
The Royal County Down Golf Club
The Royal County Down Golf Club was founded in 1889 by a group of influential business and professional men from Belfast. There is some evidence to suggest that even before then a rudimentary form of golf was being played by the townsfolk on the rabbit warren at Newcastle. However, it was the development of a railway line from Belfast to Newcastle by the Belfast & County Down Railway and the emergence of Newcastle as a desirable seaside resort in Victorian times which provided the impetus for the first formal golf course.
Downpatrick Railway Museum
Downpatrick Railway Museum
The railway was founded in 1985 with the intention of rebuilding the entire former Belfast and County Down Railway branch line to Ardglass. However, it soon became apparent that this was an unrealistic goal and instead the railway was or is being rebuilt to Inch Abbey and Ballydugan - both of which are on the former BCDR Belfast to Newcastle main line.
Down County Museum
Down County Museum
This is a community museum helping to explain the history and environment of County Down. It occupies the restored buildings of the old Down County Gaol, built between 1789 and 1796. This is the most complete surviving Irish Gaol of its type and period. Its best known prisoner was the United Irishman, Thomas Russell, who was hanged at the gateway in 1803. The building ceased to function as a prison in the 1830s, after a new gaol was built nearby. For the next 150 years it had a chequered history, often serving as a military barracks, and falling into ruin.
Kilclief Castle
Kilclief Castle
Kilclief Castle (Ordnance Survey ref: J597457) is a tower-house castle beside Strangford Lough and 2.5 miles (4km) south of the village of Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland. Kilclief is a hamlet of historical value on the Strangford to Ardglass road. This kind of tower-house is sometimes called the gatehouse type, because of its similarity to a castle gatehouse. It is among the oldest tower houses in Lecale. Kilclief Castle tower house is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Kilclief.
Down Cathedral
Down Cathedral
Welcome to Down Cathedral, close to which we believe the mortal remains of Patrick, our Patron Saint, lie buried. The Cathedral stands prominently and majestically as a memorial to our historic past. It is good that it should and that it is preserved as such. But it stands for much more. An historic building such as this lifts us out of the realms of things and circumstances which change into the realm of things which are eternal and do not change; out of the world of passing fancy and fashion into the world of lasting value and intrinsic worth. It gives us a sense of perspective both in space and time.
Mourne Mountains
Mourne Mountains
The Mourne Mountains or Mournes, a granite mountain range located in County Down in the south-east of Northern Ireland, are among the most famous of the mountains in the country. The surrounding area is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is proposed as the first national park in Northern Ireland. The Mournes are partly owned by the National Trust and see a large number of visitors every year. The highest mountain is Slieve Donard at 2,790 ft. The name Mourne is derived from the name of a Gaelic clann or sept called the Múghdorna.
Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan Forest Park
Located in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea, this is one of the most oustanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Aboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world. However, Castlewellan has numerous features that draw wider attention. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. To walk around the forest park's mile-long lake, encountering some intriguing modern sculptures on the way, is to enjoy a great experience of eighteenth-century landscaping.
Inch Abbey
Inch Abbey
Inch Abbey is a large, ruined monastic site 0.75 miles north-west of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, on the north bank of the River Quoile in a hollow between two drumlins and featuring early Gothic architecture. The site was originally on an island in the Quoile Marshes. The pre-Norman Celtic monastic settlement here, known as Inis Cumhscraigh, was in existence by the year 800. In 1002 it was plundered by the Vikings led by Sitric, King of the Danes, who came up the Quoile with a fleet from the sea.
Clearsky Adventure Centre
Clearsky Adventure Centre
Based on the shores of Strangford Lough; just 45 minutes from Belfast. Come to Clearsky Adventure Centre for a wide range of activities on offer to everyone from the young to the young at heart. Adventure days and courses for individuals to large groups. Canoeing, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Coasteering, Raft Build and Racing, Archery, Crate Stacking and more. Experience Clearsky inspiration, fun and enjoyment for everyone.
