How to Visit Castle Ward
Read our guide on Castle Ward in Ireland. Includes best things to do and see, tips on how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Managed by National Trust, Castle Ward is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in County Down.
This beautiful house is surrounded by extensive parkland with views of the Strangford Lough.
There are several reasons to visit Castle Ward. The estate is known for relaxing walks along extensive gardens, a self-guided tour of a beautiful mansion, and easy access to one of the Game of Thrones filming locations.
There are more things to see and do in Castle Ward, so be prepared that you can easily spend several hours here.
If you're not sure whether you should incorporate Castle Ward in your Ireland itinerary, you've come to the right place.
Here is everything you should know about Castle Ward before you go.
Things to Know Before You Go
Before we dive into it, you should know a few essential things about Castle Ward before you go.
The estate is fairly large, and some of the information we found before the trip was a bit confusing.
Simply put, we weren't sure what we should expect once we got there.
So, the Castle Ward is an 840-acre estate consisting of the old Mansion House (the interior can be explored on a self-guided tour), an Old Castle Ward (known as Winterfell from Game of Thrones), The Barn, and The Stable Yard Buildings (here you will find a shop and tea-room).
There is also a walled garden. The main entrance is from A25.
You can also walk to the nearby Audley's Castle (also a Game of Thrones site) while you're there or explore one of the six walking trails.
What to See and Do
Castle Ward is a great place to explore whether you come for a refreshing walk, coastal views of Strangford Lough, or a Game of Thrones connection.
So, what is there to see and do in Castle Ward?
Mansion House
The 18th-century mansion is the main attraction in the Castle Ward area.
Combining the gothic and classical styles, the eccentric house known for its contrasts sits on a rolling hillside, offering views of the Strangford Lough.
You will find the Gothic style on the side facing the Strangford Lough, while the Palladian style on the other.
It's said that the reason behind it was the different architectural tastes of the founder, Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, and his wife, Lady Anne.
The house can be explored on a self-guided tour, though guided tours are also available.
You'll see the unusual architecture, a collection of stuffed Kodiak bears, an intricately carved panel depicting Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvests, servant quarters, learn about the former residents, and much more.
Old Castle Ward - Farmyard
The historic farmyard is one of the most popular places to see in Castle Ward, especially if you're a Game of Thrones fan.
The Game of Thrones TV show used the old gate, stone walls, the yard, and the historic towers as the main entrance to Winterfell.
Winterfell was the seat and the ancestral home of the royal House Stark and the capital of the Kingdom of the North.
Interestingly enough, they only used this location for Winterfell in the first season.
Just make sure to set your expectations right, as the reality is not as imposing as the fiction with CGI effects.
On the other hand, this is one of those places where you really need to admire the vivid creators' vision.
Walled Garden
If you like Victorian gardens, you should visit the terraced garden at Castle Ward.
Here, you can see the 17th and 18th-century pleasure grounds with a historic pinetum that was used to house exotic shrubs and trees from all over the world.
The garden is also home to Lady Anne's Temple, featuring Doric columns and providing lovely views of the Temple Water Canal.
Another lovely place to see is the nearby Lime Tree Walk, featuring limes planted along another canal.
Audley's Castle
Another place worth seeing in the Castle Ward estate is the nearby Audley's Castle.
This lovely castle appears to be a bit further from the estate's main area but is easily accessible on foot.
In fact, we first visited Winterfell and then walked along the Lough Strangford to Audley's Castle and beyond.
We looped back to Castle Ward from here while exploring other interesting estate corners.
The walk from Castle Ward to Audley Castle takes about 15 minutes.
The remaining tower of Audley's Castle is quite impressive and dominates the rolling hill.
The views from the top are supposedly great. Unfortunately, the tower was closed when we were there.
While we visited Audley Castle from Castle Ward, it seemed that you could visit this site without entering the estate.
That said, most visitors come here for the Castle Ward, with Audley Castle being a nice addition to this trip.
The 15th-century castle was named after an Anglo-Norman family, the Audleys, who lived there in the 16th century.
Audley's Field and Castle were also used as a filming location in Game of Thrones.
The site was featured during Season 1 when King Robert Baratheon arrives at Winterfell.
Audley Castle was also used in Season 2 as a backdrop for Robb's Camp, where he first meets his future wife, Talisa.
Furthermore, it's a place where Alton Lannister is imprisoned with Jaime Lannister.
Game of Thrones
Besides the Castle Ward and Audley's Castle, there are more places where Game of Thrones was filmed.
You should check out these sites if you want to see more Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland.
Dunluce Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland.
Ballintoy Harbor is known for its lovely beach and great coast walks.
The Dark Hedges is a stunning tree tunnel.
These are some of our favorite GoT sites, though there are many more scattered across Northern Ireland.
Opening Hours
Castle Ward has seasonal opening hours. The main grounds remain open all year round, but the mansion is usually closed in winter.
We recommend checking the opening times of each attraction before you visit, as they may vary by season.
There are currently six places with different opening times - Mansion, Garden, Grounds, Second-hand bookshop, Shop, and Stableyard tea-room.
With that said, the Castle Ward grounds are generally open from 9 AM to 6 PM in the peak season and from 10 AM to 4 PM in the off-season.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Castle Ward estate is £12 per adult, which is on the pricey end if you're looking for a place to relax and unwind.
If you explore Castle Ward thoroughly, we believe the price is reasonable for what you get.
Visiting Ireland on a budget can be tricky, so make sure to read our guide, which is packed with useful tips.
How Much Time Do I Need
Allow yourself at least two hours to get the most out of Castle Ward estate.
If you're not in a hurry, you can easily spend several hours at Castle Ward estate, especially if you bring kids.
When to Go
You can visit Castle Ward any time of the year.
When it comes to weather, the best time to visit Castle Ward is from late spring to early fall, with summer being the peak season.
If you want to see the Castle Ward's interiors, you need to avoid the off-season (usually November to January).
Another thing to consider is that events and activities occur on certain days throughout the year.
If you want to go kayaking or cycling, take an archery tour, or wear Game of Thrones cosplay costumes, you will most likely need to visit Castle Ward in the peak season.
There were no activities on the Castle Ward estate on the day of our visit, and it was pretty quiet.
That was fine with us as we sought a peaceful experience, but probably not the best scenario if you bring your kids along.
Each season has pros and cons, so you should check our guide on when to visit Ireland first.
What to Pack
The weather on the day of our visit could be described as typical Irish weather.
It was pretty cloudy and had some showers, though the sun appeared from behind the sun at times.
We brought our trusty rain jackets, good runners, and a comfortable daypack.
Unless you come on a scorching summer day, make sure you have a rain and windproof jacket in your backpack.
Outside the summer season, you will also need to pack an extra layer or two to stay nice and warm.
Here is our complete Ireland packing list if you're unsure what to bring and what to leave behind.
How to Get There
Castle Ward is located less than 50 kilometers southeast of Belfast.
There are several ways to get there, including by car, boat, or bike.
Without any doubt, the easiest way to get to Castle Ward is by car.
Driving in Ireland requires some adjustment as you must stay on the left side of the road, and some rural roads are very narrow.
However, Castle Ward sits on A25, which is a regular road with two lanes.
If you decide to rent a car in Ireland, read this guide.
Car
Take A24 and A7 from Belfast, then connect onto A25 (Strangford Rd) just before reaching Downpatrick.
The 45-kilometer drive takes about an hour, depending on the current traffic in Belfast.
The main entrance is on Park Rd, and the property cannot be accessed via Audleystown Rd.
BT30 7BA are coordinations for SatNav users, according to the official website.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
The main access road will lead you to the Admission Hut, where you will need to purchase a ticket (if you don't have one).
The main parking area is less than 200 meters from the main buildings.
There is also overflow parking that can be used at peak times.
Parking is free at Castle Ward as it's included in the estate entry fee.
Ferry
As we first wanted to explore Ards Peninsula, we took a ferry from Portaferry to Strangford.
Crossing the Strangford Lough by ferry takes only a few minutes, but it's a nice little trip worth doing if you're in the area.
Just be prepared that the vehicle line can be long at peak season.
Castle Ward is a 5-minute drive from Strangford.
Bus
You can take a bus from Downpatrick to Strangford. Check the Translink website for the current timetable.
The bus stops at Castle Ward's gates.
Don't forget that some of the best places in Northern Ireland are difficult to access via public transportation.
Tours
While you can visit Castle Ward on your own, note that there are organized trips with this place on their itinerary.
If you don't want to stress out planning the trip and arranging transport, taking a guided tour is a great alternative.
One of the most interesting tours you can book is this top-rated Winterfell Tour from Belfast.
Alternatively, you can take the same Winterfell Tour from Dublin.
This is great for all fans who consider visiting Northern Ireland on a day trip.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Castle Ward, you have several options.
There are only smaller accommodations near Castle Ward. These mostly family-owned guesthouses and bed and breakfasts are comfortable but have limited availability during the peak season.
Book early, and you should be fine.
If you want to stay as close as possible, Portaferry offers a better selection of accommodations than Strangford.
Remember that Portaferry is the town across the lough, so you must take a short ferry ride. You can also consider staying in Belfast.
Exploring this area from there is fairly convenient as the city is under an hour of driving.
Belfast is the best option for travelers who want to stay close to everything. So here are tips on the best hotels near Castle Ward.
Portaferry | The Narrows - This cozy bed and breakfast is one of the most popular properties in Portaferry. Expect clean, affordable rooms, excellent location, street parking, and great Strangford Lough views.
Downpatrick | Denvir's Coaching Inn - Established in 1642, this is one of Ireland's oldest surviving Coaching inns. Expect comfortable rooms, great breakfast, and friendly staff. The property is a 15-minute drive from the Castle Ward.
Strangford | Cuan Boutique Hotel - This family-run guest inn is only a 5-minute drive from Castle Ward. This property has beautiful rooms and decor, an amazing location, and tasty food.
Belfast | ibis Belfast - This hotel has everything you need if you're looking for affordable accommodation in Belfast's city center. The rooms are modern and include air conditioning. Parking is available across the street.
Staying Safe
Castle Ward is generally a very safe place to visit.
Just make sure to wear adequate clothing and footwear for the expected weather and the time of year you visit Castle Ward.
The trails are well-maintained, and comfortable runners should be more than enough to take every trail this estate has to offer.
Even though the parking is not public and should be safe, never leave your valuables in your car.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Castle Ward Worth Visiting?
If you're in the area, Castle Ward is definitely worth seeing. The estate has a charming manor house, six trails for all ages and abilities, and Game of Thrones filming locations.
What we liked the most about Castle Ward is that it's a great place for relaxing walks.
If you're road-tripping Ireland, places like Castle Ward are ideal for stretching your legs after extensive periods of driving.
If you're not interested in Castle Ward and come just for the Winterfell, you might end up disappointed.
Therefore, make sure to set your expectations right to avoid disappointment.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
