Castlewellan

Jun 18, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 31

📍Castlewellan, County Down

💷Free to explore

🅿️On-site parking £5 per car

🚻Toilets available

♿️Accessible areas and trails

☕️Coffee & ice cream cart

🧒Best for all ages

🗺️Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan, Co. Down

What You’ll Find

Castlewellan Forest Park is HUGE, so there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

One of the main attractions for families is the Peace Maze. The kids can lead the way through the hedges as you attempt to find your way to the centre

There are also miles of woodland trails to explore, whether you fancy a gentle family stroll or something a little more adventurous.

The beautiful lake sits right at the heart of the park and makes a gorgeous backdrop for a walk or picnic. There are plenty of grassy areas too, so bring a picnic blanket and make a day of it.

Little adventurers can also burn off some energy at the play park, while older children and grown-ups can tackle some of the cycling and mountain bike trails.

Add a Little Adventure

One thing we LOVE about Castlewellan is that you don’t need to bring all your own equipment to enjoy some of the more adventurous activities.

Life Adventure Centre operates within Castlewellan Forest Park and offers outdoor activities and equipment hire, including bikes.

It’s a brilliant option if you fancy getting the family out on two wheels and exploring more of the forest without having to load the car with bikes!

For the Grown Ups

Castlewellan is one of those places that works just as well for the grown-ups as it does for the kids.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, particularly around the lake, and there are plenty of spots where you can stop for a coffee or sit down with a picnic while the kids get some fresh air.

You can make the day as relaxing or as active as you like, leisurely walk around the lake or mountain biking through the forest.

Why We Loved It

✅ So much space for the kids to explore

✅ Beautiful woodland and lake walks

✅ The Peace Maze is great family fun

✅ Play areas for little adventurers

✅ Cycling and mountain bike trails

✅ Bike and equipment hire available

✅ Perfect for picnics

✅ Something for lots of different ages

✅ Easy to turn into a full family day out

Wee Adventurer Top Tips

⭐️ Give yourself plenty of time – there’s much more here than you’ll manage in a quick visit.

⭐️Wear sensible shoes – especially if you plan on exploring the woodland trails.

⭐️Fancy cycling? Check bike hire and activities with Life Adventure Centre before you visit.

⭐️Pack a picnic – there are some gorgeous places to stop around the park.

Overall Verdict

Castlewellan Forest Park is a fantastic all-rounder for a family day out in County Down.

You can arrive with absolutely no plans and simply enjoy a walk and picnic, or make a proper adventure of it with cycling, trails, the Peace Maze and plenty of exploring.

It’s the combination of beautiful scenery and loads for the kids to do that makes this one we’d happily return to again and again.

Definitely one for the Wee Adventurers list!