National Trust - Castle Ward

Lots of trails to follow around this estate. We just done the 3km one as we'd got there later in the day. Beautiful view across Strangford lough over to Portaferry. Easy trail, mainly flat. Would return again. As its a National Trust property you have to pay to get in and it's per person not per car the way it used to be so maybe an expensive day for families

We had a lovely 3hrs at Castle Ward. You enter the estate via the pretty sunken garden which is well worth a walk around. The house is not open in October on Tuesdays and in December closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But check the website. Walking around the house is by tour only and the tour guide (Billy?) was excellent. Look for the very different styles of the front and back sections of the castle. The castle has stunning interiors that are looked after very well. The laundry is well worth a visit especially if you remember your mother or grandmother using the flat irons and the mangle. Plenty of marked walks and cycle tracks around the estate. I noticed bikes put out in the courtyard by staff which I guess are for hire, but check first. The trails are from 2km to 13kms and walkers and bikers are asked to walk in an anti clockwise direction. We enjoyed the Farm Trail 4km circular walk taking in the shoreline and the filming location for the Battle of Oxcross in Game of Thrones. The cafe and shop offer a good selection and we bought several books from the secondhand bookshop at very reasonable prices. In all a beautiful day at a lovely location with friendly staff.

Volunteers around house were excellent at painting a picture of life there. Very good walks around the grounds with Game of Thrones film sites. Plenty of picnic tables to eat your lunch. Views over the Loch beautiful.

We always love it here. Some beautiful bike rides to be had, and the vegan scones are delicious at the cafe. The bookshop is always well stocked and cheap as chips. 50p - £1, total bargains to be found.

Having seen this property on a couple of TV programmes over the last year, was really looking forward to visiting and not disappointed. The house really is one of two halves, the classic and the gothic, and being related to Horace Walpole, I was delighted to find out about his influence on the gothic half! The room guides are very knowledgeable and friendly, and had a few chats with them and lots of interesting items to see. When we visited, as it was the weekend before Halloween, there was a themed craft fair, in the stable block and I did purchase a couple of presents for friends. The area was nicely decorated for Halloween and there is also a cafe, gift shop and the obligatory 2nd hand bookshop! Unfortunately due to time and the heavy rain, we couldn't visit the rest of the site so we have a good reason to revisit. There is an entry fee but free to National Trust members.

Beautiful day to visit! Emma's tour of the house was great- very knowledgable. The seals were out on the coastal trail walk too. Well worth a visit

Never fails to impress. Beautiful walk even in the rain. Toilets are spotless. Scenery is beautiful. Trees around the lake are stunning and such a variety. Birdsong is quite deafening but gorgeous 😍

Beautiful, well maintained, National Trust site. I found the castle tour very interesting and the cafe it’s nice. The path along the coast its very nice. It has Game of Thrones filming locations which nerds like me would enjoy.