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heritage · Saturday 11 July 2026 · See website for times 
Castle Ward Summer of Play
At Castle Ward · Strangford, Co. Down BT30 7LS
At Castle Ward · Strangford, Co. Down BT30 7LS
Castle Ward has always had a lot going on - an 18th-century mansion that can’t quite decide whether it’s classical or Gothic (both owners disagreed, so they split the house down the middle), a working cornmill, farmyard, loughside trails, and Game of Thrones filming locations across the grounds. The Summer of Play programme adds another layer from 11 July to 24 August, turning the estate into a series of dedicated activity zones for families. If you have children who need to run, climb, build, and make noise in a spectacular setting, this is a solid day out.
Three zones anchor the programme: Performance Play, where children can get expressive and theatrical; Loose Parts Play, a more open-ended creative space; and Active Play with sports and physical challenges for older or more energetic visitors. A toddler and soft play area means the youngest are not left out, and a quiet space is on hand for anyone who needs a break from the energy.
Live music runs throughout the summer, and Strangford Bay Alpacas are scheduled to visit - always popular with children of most ages. On wetter days, the play den in the Stableyard is a useful fallback: it is stocked with toys and games themed around the estate’s history, from sea-life to farmyard animals.
All play activities are included in the standard Castle Ward admission. National Trust members get in free.
Castle Ward sits about 1.5 miles outside Strangford village on the A25. By car from Belfast, take the A7 south through Saintfield to Downpatrick, then the A25 east - roughly 45 minutes. From Newry, head north-east on the A25 through Clough. There is an on-site car park. Public transport to Strangford is limited, so a car suits most visitors. If you are coming from the Ards Peninsula, the Strangford - Portaferry ferry is a short crossing that drops you close to the village.
Strangford is a compact lough-side village with a ruined tower castle at the water’s edge and fine views across to Portaferry. It is worth a short walk along the quay before heading home. There is more to see in Strangford and across Co. Down.
Heading to Castle Ward in Strangford? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Strangford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.