Overview
Castlewellan Forest Park lies on the edge of the Mourne Mountains, just south‑west of the village of Castlewellan in County Down. Spanning roughly 460 ha, the park combines ancient woodlands, a 40‑hectare lake and meticulously landscaped gardens. It is a magnet for botanists, families, hikers and adventure‑seekers alike, offering everything from champion‑tree collections to a world‑renowned hedge maze.
History
The estate was originally the private demesne of the Annesley family. In 1740 Hugh Annesley, 5th Earl Annesley, began assembling what would become the National Arboretum of Northern Ireland, planting over 1 800 species of trees and shrubs across a walled garden that later expanded to 120 acres. Giant Sequoia saplings, sourced from California by plant‑collector William Lobb, were planted in the 1850s and one now boasts an extraordinary 19‑trunk form, earning the title of Northern Ireland’s Tree of the Year in 2018.
The Scottish‑baronial Castlewellan Castle was constructed between 1856‑1858 by the 4th Earl Annesley, designed by William Burn and built from locally quarried granite. After a period of vacancy, the castle has served as a Christian conference centre since 1974.
In the early 2000s the community‑planted Peace Maze was created, using 6 000 yew trees. It held the record for the longest permanent hedge maze in the world until 2007. Recent restoration work, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, has revitalised the arboretum, greenhouses and the Moorish Tower, ensuring the park’s long‑term conservation.
What to See & Do
Arboretum & Annesley Garden
The arboretum is celebrated as “one of the most remarkable tree collections not only in Ireland but in the whole of Europe”. Visitors can wander the five‑hectare walled garden, admire champion specimens such as the original ‘Castlewellan Gold’ Leylandii, Ginkgo biloba, hand‑kerchief tree (Davidia involucrata) and a host of magnolias, rhododendrons and conifers. The collection spans Asia, Australasia and the Americas, with over 700 taxa still thriving.
Peace Maze
Located beside the children’s play area ‘Animal Wood’, the Peace Maze invites you to lose yourself among 6 000 yew hedges and emerge at the central peace bell. Planted in 2000 with extensive community involvement, it remains a symbolic walk for a peaceful future in Northern Ireland.
Animal Wood (Nature Play)
Designed for ages 4‑11, Animal Wood offers a short woodland trail dotted with animal sculptures (badger, red squirrel, giant spider) and a wooden play tower modelled on the Moorish Tower, complete with climbing wall, fire‑man’s pole, rope bridge and hollow‑tree slide.
Castlewellan Castle & Lakeside Walk
The castle overlooks the lake and can be admired from the popular 2.4‑mile (3.9 km) Lakeside Walk, a flat, circular route that provides panoramic views of Slievenaslat and the castle itself. Other marked walks include Slievenaslat (2.7 mi), Moorish Tower (3.2 mi), Annesley Garden (2.2 mi), Cypress Pond (3.1 mi) and Bunkers Hill Play Trail (1.2 mi).
Adventure Activities
The park hosts a thriving adventure scene. Life Adventure Centre rents bikes, mountain‑bikes, electric bikes, kayaks and stand‑up paddleboards. Activities on offer include mountain biking (27 km of trails ranging from green family loops to black‑grade technical tracks), canoeing, paddle‑boarding, fishing (permit required) and guided hill‑walking. Swimming in the lake is prohibited except during council‑approved events.
Facilities & Amenities
Picnic tables and designated barbecue spots sit adjacent to the main car park, and a seasonal coffee cart serves refreshments during the summer months. Toilets, baby‑changing facilities and disabled‑accessible toilets are available. The park accepts coach parties and offers on‑site parking for cars, minibusses, coaches and motorbikes.
Practical Information
Getting Here
From Belfast, follow the A24 through Ballynahinch, Seaforde and Clough, then the A25 into Castlewellan. From Dublin, take the M1 to Newry, then the A1 to the A25. The park entrance is on Forest Park View, Castlewellan, BT31 9BU.
Opening Hours
| Season | Days | Opening Times |
|---|---|---|
| March & October | Mon‑Sun | 09:00‑18:00 |
| April & September | Mon‑Sun | 09:00‑20:00 |
| May‑August | Mon‑Sun | 09:00‑21:00 |
| November‑February | Mon‑Sun | 09:00‑17:00 |
| Christmas Day | Friday | Closed |
Admission & Parking
| Visitor type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Walking or cycling (no vehicle) | Free |
| Car (single entry) | £5 |
| All‑Park Car Permit (annual) | £60 |
| All‑Park Minibus (8‑24 seats) | £65 |
| Coach (over 24 seats) | £50 |
| Minibus (up to 24 seats) | £15 |
| Motorbike | £3 |
| Single‑Park Season Car Permit | £25 |
Accessibility
- Scooters are welcome on all main routes.
- Manual wheelchairs can navigate the primary network (≈6 mi total, including the Peace Maze and gardens).
- Disabled‑accessible toilets are located near the car park.
- Dogs are allowed on a leash but are prohibited in the Play Park and Peace Maze.
Contact & Further Details
- Phone: +44 (0) 330 137 4046
- Website: https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/castlewellan-forest-park-p675411
- Life Adventure Centre (equipment hire): https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/life-adventure-centre-p697521
Whether you are tracing the lineage of champion trees, solving the twists of the Peace Maze, or chasing adrenaline on the red‑grade mountain‑bike trails, Castlewellan Forest Park delivers a richly layered experience that showcases the natural and cultural heritage of Northern Ireland.