PrimeCarers
Castle Ward, Strangford

Companionship careDown

Days out in Down for an older parent

Ten places in Down that make a good day out for an older parent, from Castle Ward to Montalto Estate. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Castle Ward. Photo: Irishdeltaforce, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ten days out across eight towns

The best places to take an older parent in Down

Two of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for three confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Castle Ward, Strangford

Photo: Irishdeltaforce, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Strangford

Castle Ward

Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust mansion above Strangford Lough, famous for having one side built in Gothic style and the other in classical Palladian style. Its 332-hectare walled estate includes parkland, a farmyard with a water-powered cornmill and sawmill, and walks along the lough shore.

There are toilets for disabled visitors, a tea room, picnic areas and parking on site, so a carer can combine a look at the house and farmyard with a sit-down.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Rowallane Garden, Saintfield

Photo: Peter Clarke at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Saintfield

Rowallane Garden

Rowallane is a National Trust garden just outside Saintfield, with a mix of formal walled gardens and informal woodland and meadow spaces. In spring it is known for its rhododendrons, azaleas and bulbs, with herbaceous borders through the summer.

There is a tea room, picnic area, toilets and parking on site, so a carer can plan a gentle walk in the walled garden and a break for tea.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Saintfield

Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle

Photo: Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Newcastle

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore Forest Park covers almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with views to the mountains and the sea at Newcastle. A walk along the Shimna River passes old stone bridges, grottos and follies, and there are giant redwoods and other tall trees throughout.

It is open all year, and a carer can drive in, park and keep to a short riverside stretch near the car park rather than the longer trails.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Parking charge on entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Newcastle

Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan

Photo: Ryan Mcdonald, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Castlewellan

Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park has a mile-long lake below a Victorian castle, with sculptures along the lakeside path, a hedge maze and views to the Mourne Mountains. The Annesley walled garden and arboretum hold one of the finest tree and shrub collections in Europe, with terraces, fountains and flower borders.

There are toilets for disabled visitors and places to eat, and a carer can choose a short walk in the walled garden rather than the full lake circuit.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Castlewellan

Murlough National Nature Reserve, Dundrum

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Dundrum

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Murlough is a 6,000-year-old sand dune system on Dundrum Bay, owned by the National Trust and Ireland's first nature reserve. Paths and boardwalks lead through dunes, heath and woodland to a long beach with views of the Mourne Mountains, and seals haul out along the shore.

There are boardwalks through the dunes, so a carer can plan a short out-and-back walk to the beach view without tackling the soft sand.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Dundrum

Down County Museum, Downpatrick

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Downpatrick

Down County Museum

Down County Museum is in the restored 18th-century county gaol in Downpatrick, with an exhibition covering 9,000 years of local history. You can also walk through the old cell block, where life-size figures show prisoners and their gaolers.

The museum describes itself as fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties, entry is free and there are toilets, though the tea room is closed for now.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free admission, some events charged

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Downpatrick

Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral, Downpatrick

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Downpatrick

Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral

The Saint Patrick Centre is a multimedia exhibition telling the story of Ireland's patron saint in his own words, with a craft shop and a garden café. It stands beside Down Cathedral, where Saint Patrick is believed to be buried in the churchyard, and the cathedral has fine stained glass and box pews.

Wheelchairs are available free, there are toilets for disabled visitors and a café, which makes it an easy base before a short look at the cathedral next door.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Downpatrick

Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve, Downpatrick

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Downpatrick

Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve

The Quoile Pondage is a nature reserve on the Quoile river just outside Downpatrick, created when a tidal barrage was built in 1957, with old quays and the timbers of a sailing ship from its days as a port. There is a riverside path, a bird hide over the freshwater lake and a countryside centre with exhibitions.

The reserve has a route for people with limited mobility along the wooded riverside path, plus picnic areas and a bird hide for a sit-down.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Downpatrick

Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh

Photo: Christine Johnstone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Killyleagh

Delamont Country Park

Delamont Country Park is 200 acres of parkland on the shore of Strangford Lough near Killyleagh, with woodland walks and wide views over the lough. It is home to the Strangford Stone, the tallest megalith in Ireland.

Mobility scooters can be hired free through Shopmobility membership, which is also free, so a carer can arrange one in advance and enjoy the lough views without a long walk.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Killyleagh

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

Photo: David M Clark, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Ballynahinch

Montalto Estate

Montalto is an 18th-century Georgian estate near Ballynahinch, with more than 8km of trails and gardens, including a secluded walled garden. There is a café, an estate shop and a dog park.

With a café and estate shop on site, a carer can plan a short garden walk and a sit-down rather than one of the longer trails.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Ballynahinch

Regular groups and events in Down

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Down.

  • Dancing · NewtownardsCouncil tea dances at the Queen's HallArds and North Down Borough Council runs afternoon tea dances of sequence and ballroom dancing for over fifties, with more than a hundred people at recent events. A carer can book tickets, provide the lift there and back, and sit with the tea and music if dancing every number is too much.Details
  • Photography · NewtownardsArds Camera ClubA Newtownards club for amateur and experienced photographers, with meetings, competitions and exhibitions, and a clubroom with studio lighting and computers. A carer can help with transport to evening meetings and with getting images printed or loaded for club competitions.Details
  • Painting · DownpatrickDrawing and painting classes at Down Arts CentreThe council arts centre in Downpatrick runs termly classes and workshops, including drawing and painting, alongside its exhibitions and performances. A carer can book a term, bring the materials along and stay for the session if company makes it easier to start.Details
  • ReadingFree library reading groupsLibraries NI runs free reading groups at branches across County Down, including Downpatrick, Killyleagh, Saintfield, Castlewellan, Newcastle and Portaferry. A carer can check the branch timetable, arrange the lift and collect the group's book in large print or audio if eyesight is a problem.Details
  • Reading · BangorAspects Festival in BangorNorthern Ireland's longest-running literature festival, held each autumn in Bangor with author talks, poetry events and workshops. A carer can pick one daytime author talk, book an aisle seat and keep the trip to a couple of hours.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Down

At a glance

The ten places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Castle WardStrangfordhalf a dayPaid entryAskYesYes
Rowallane GardenSaintfieldhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Tollymore Forest ParkNewcastlehalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Castlewellan Forest ParkCastlewellanhalf a dayCheck pricesAskYesYes
Murlough National Nature ReserveDundruman hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Down County MuseumDownpatrickan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Saint Patrick Centre and Down CathedralDownpatrickan hour or twoPaid entryAskYesYes
Quoile Pondage Nature ReserveDownpatrickan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Delamont Country ParkKillyleaghhalf a dayCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Montalto EstateBallynahinchhalf a dayCheck pricesAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Down

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678910
  1. 1Castle Ward, Strangford
  2. 2Rowallane Garden, Saintfield
  3. 3Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle
  4. 4Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan
  5. 5Murlough National Nature Reserve, Dundrum
  6. 6Down County Museum, Downpatrick
  7. 7Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral, Downpatrick
  8. 8Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve, Downpatrick
  9. 9Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh
  10. 10Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Down

Carers in Down charge £19 to £22 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Down has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Down

Castle Ward in Strangford, Rowallane Garden in Saintfield, Tollymore Forest Park in Newcastle, Castlewellan Forest Park in Castlewellan, Murlough National Nature Reserve in Dundrum, Down County Museum in Downpatrick, Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve in Downpatrick, Delamont Country Park in Killyleagh and Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Castle Ward, Castlewellan Forest Park and Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral have an accessible toilet. Saint Patrick Centre and Down Cathedral and Delamont Country Park lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Down County Museum and Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 10 of the carers with a rate near Down drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Down shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Down

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Down

Days out in the areas around Down

Companionship care by town in Down

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Down

See carers near Down who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

Search carers in DownCall 0203 369 3624
Free to searchNo obligationVetted & insuredYou choose the carer