🏰Killyleagh Castle

Delamont Country Park is a sprawling 200-acre parkland set on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. It's a wonderful destination for families, offering a mix of woodland walks, open meadows, and a large lake. The park features a fantastic children's adventure playground with equipment for all ages, including slides, swings, climbing frames, and a zip line. There are also waymarked walking and cycling trails, a tea room with indoor and outdoor seating, and a visitor centre with interactive exhibits about the park's wildlife and history. - **Highlights for kids**: Adventure playground, fairy trail, butterfly house, and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts and Halloween trails. - **Facilities**: Free parking (though there is a small charge for cars), accessible toilets, baby changing, picnic areas, and a café serving snacks and hot meals. - **Practical tips**: The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The adventure playground can get busy on weekends. Bring wellies if it's been rainy, as some paths can be muddy. The café has a kids' menu and high chairs are available.

Housed in the historic 18th-century county gaol, Down County Museum offers families a fascinating journey through local history. Kids will enjoy exploring the original prison cells, the interactive 'Discovery Room' with hands-on activities, and the fascinating 'Downpatrick Hoard' of gold and silver. The museum's engaging exhibits cover topics from the Vikings to the Troubles, with plenty of dressing-up boxes and trails to keep children entertained. Facilities include a gift shop, baby-changing area, and accessible toilets. The museum is free to enter and offers free parking. Allow 1–2 hours for a visit. There is a small outdoor courtyard with picnic tables, but most exhibits are indoors. Guided tours and special family events run throughout the year. Practical tips: Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Down Cathedral and St Patrick's Grave. The museum is wheelchair-accessible and pushchair-friendly. No café on site, but Downpatrick town centre is a short walk away.

The Saint Patrick Centre is an award-winning, interactive exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, located in Downpatrick, County Down. It offers a family-friendly experience with a 3D film, hands-on displays, and a sensory garden. Kids can explore the story of Patrick through engaging exhibits, including a replica of a Celtic roundhouse and a chance to see real artifacts. - Suitable for all ages, with dedicated activities for younger children (crafts, dress-up) and older kids (interactive quizzes, digital trail). - Facilities include baby changing, wheelchair access, and a café serving children's meals. - Practical tip: allow 1.5-2 hours for a visit; combine with a trip to nearby Down Cathedral and Patrick's Grave.

Inch Abbey is a ruined Cistercian abbey located on the banks of the River Quoile near Downpatrick, County Down. Founded in 1180 by John de Courcy, it offers a peaceful, scenic spot for families to explore history and nature. The ruins include the nave, chancel, and a distinctive tower, with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. - Ideal for older children interested in history and archaeology. - Open air site; no indoor facilities. - Free entry and parking nearby (limited). - No playground or café; bring your own snacks and water. - Accessible via a short walk from the car park; paths may be uneven. A visit can be combined with Down Cathedral and Saul Church for a fuller historical experience. Best on a dry day.

Castle Ward is a fascinating 18th-century country house with an unusual architectural split – one half is Gothic, the other Classical – set in 800 acres of parkland overlooking Strangford Lough. Families can explore the house with dressing-up costumes and interactive exhibits, then head outside to the adventure playground, woodland trails, and the farmyard with rare breeds. Highlights for kids include: - The adventure playground with zip wire, swings, and climbing frames - The farmyard where children can feed lambs and see goats, pigs, and chickens - The Game of Thrones connection: Castle Ward served as Winterfell in the TV series; fans can spot filming locations and try archery in the courtyard - Woodland and shoreline walks, plus a boathouse café Practical tips: The site is spread out, so wear comfortable shoes. Pushchairs can manage most paths. The farmyard has hand-washing stations. Best for ages 2–12, but older children enjoy the archery and trails. Parking is free for National Trust members, otherwise £5 per car (refundable with admission). Toilets and baby-changing facilities are near the visitor centre.

Rowallane Garden is a stunning National Trust property in County Down, Northern Ireland, spanning over 50 acres of formal gardens, woodland walks, and a walled garden. Families with kids will love the natural play area, which includes den-building, balance beams, and a mud kitchen, perfect for ages 2-12. The garden also features a sensory garden with fragrant plants and a fairy trail to spark imagination. - Highlights: The famous bluebell wood in spring, the Victorian walled garden, and the rhododendron collection. - Facilities: Toilets with baby changing, a café serving child-friendly meals and snacks, and pushchair-friendly paths (though some areas have steep slopes). - Practical tips: Parking is free for National Trust members (£6 for non-members). Bring wellies in wet weather as some paths can be muddy. The garden is large, so plan for at least 2-3 hours.

Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry is Northern Ireland's only public aquarium, showcasing the diverse marine life of Strangford Lough and beyond. Families can explore interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and a seal sanctuary with rescued grey seals. Highlights include the otter enclosure, the underwater tunnel, and daily feeding demonstrations. - Hands-on rock pool experiences for kids - Seal hospital viewing area - Indoor and outdoor play areas - Café and gift shop on site Practical tips: Allow 2-3 hours. Tickets can be booked online to avoid queues. Suitable for all ages, particularly preschoolers to teens. Pushchair accessible.

Castle Espie Wetland Centre, run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), is a family-friendly nature reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough. It features over 1,000 waterfowl from around the world, including ducks, geese, swans, and flamingos, with daily bird feeds and talks. - Highlights include an adventure playground, interactive discovery centre, bird hides, and a floating boardwalk. Families can feed the birds from their hands in the wildfowl collection. - Best for ages 2–12, but enjoyable for all ages. Facilities include a café with kids' meals, baby-changing, and pushchair-friendly paths. Wellies recommended in wet weather. - Practical tips: book online for a discount, allow 2–4 hours, and check the daily feeding schedule on arrival.

A family-friendly attraction set in 4 acres of beautiful gardens. The highlight is the Tropical Butterfly House, where hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world can be seen up close. Children can also enjoy the outdoor adventure playground, fairy trail, maze, and animal petting area. - Highlights: tropical butterflies, outdoor play areas, fairy trail, animal encounters - Suitable for ages 2-12, but fun for all - Facilities: café, picnic areas, gift shop, baby changing, wheelchair accessible paths - Tips: best on a warm day for outdoor areas; butterflies are active in warmer weather

A stunning 19th-century house and garden on the shores of Strangford Lough, managed by the National Trust. Families can explore the vibrant themed gardens including the Italian Garden, Shamrock Garden, and the Dodo Terrace with whimsical topiary. The house offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Londonderry family. - Highlights for kids: large adventure playground, woodland trails, garden scavenger hunts (seasonal), and a family-friendly Tearoom serving hot meals and snacks. Baby changing facilities and pushchair-friendly paths make it easy for families with young children. - Practical tips: Free entry for National Trust members, otherwise book tickets online to guarantee entry. Dogs on leads welcome in gardens. Indoor areas include the house (limited pushchair access) and the restaurant.