Things to see and do…

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE:
• A browse around the market on a Sunday morning (Gaelic football pitches at the entrance to Dundrum) followed by brunch at the Blue Bay Café.
• A picnic at Dundrum castle to savour the bay and mountain views.
• Walk to Murlough Nature Reserve (walk out of the village and take the last road down to the bridge at Keel Point which takes you right through to the boardwalk for the dunes and beach). If you are a National Trust member you can access the car park on the spit for free or £5 if not!

WITHIN 5 MILES:
• Visit Tollymore Forest Park to enjoy walks in the forest and mountains.
• Walk or cycle around Castlewellan castle, lake, maze and arboretum.
• Visit Seaforde Butterfly Farm, maze and coffee shop
• A favourite with the kids, Funny Farm Adventures, with a maze, trampolines, barrel train, laser clay shooting and crazy golf.
• Enjoy a wide range of outdoor activites through the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre including Canoeing, Rockclimbing, Abseiling, Coasteering, Abseiling, Hill Walking, Sea Kayaking, Archery and Mountain Biking with the Blue Lough Adventure Centre, Castlewellan Forest Park (028 4377 0714).

Further afield…

WITHIN 10-15 MILES
• Visit the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir for picnic and walks
• Take a day trip to Strangford Lough – the villages of Strangford and Portaferry are well worth a visit and have nice restaurants (try The Lobster Pot or The Cuan) (drive to Downpatrick and follow signs). You can take the ferry between Strangford and Portaferry so you can complete a full circuit of the Lough. There is an aquarium at Portaferry “Exploris” which makes for a nice family excursion
• The National Trust have a beautiful property at Castleward, Strangford. The setting is magnificent. You can take tours of the house and/or enjoy the beautiful gardens. There is an adventure playground for children and you can also partake in canoeing, cycling and archery during the summer months. Mount Stewart, near Newtownards, also owned by the National Trust ,has a fabulous house to visit and stunning lake and gardens.

WITHIN 20-30 MILES
• In approximately 45 minutes you can be in Belfast. Enjoy a visit to the new Titanic Centre, peruse the city centre with the majestic city hall and its many shops and cafes – the Victoria Centre is well worth a visit. Also worth considering: a visit to Queen’s University and Botanic Gardens, a trip up to Stormont Buildings, an open top bus tour, the Belfast Zoo, and Belfast Castle for walks, parkland and eating.

• Enjoy designer shopping at discount prices at The Outlet, Banbridge, Co. Down.

WITHIN 100 MILES
• Take a day trip to the North Antrim Coast – it’s a spectacular coastline with lovely beaches, walks etc. Cross the Carric-a-Rede rope bridge or walk the Giant’s Causeway.
• The stunning Fermanagh lakes are within 2 hours drive perfect for boat trips and walks.
• A trip to Dublin should not be missed.

Some useful websites to help you plan your visit:
www.dundrum-county-down.co.uk
www.discovernorthernireland.com