Things to Do

Newcastle is a base for walking, cycling and climbing in the Mournes and the forest parks. Mountain biking is allowed in Castlewellan Forest Park and in the Mournes, but not in Tollymore.

Guide

Things to Do

01

Slieve Donard

Highest mountain in Northern Ireland at 850 metres, climbed from Newcastle along the Glen River and the Mourne Wall

Sight
02

Tollymore Forest Park

Northern Ireland's first forest park, where the Shimna River runs past follies and sixteen bridges under the Mournes

Sight
03

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Heath-covered sand dunes and beach on Dundrum Bay with views to the Mourne Mountains

Sight
04

Castlewellan Forest Park

Forest park round a lake north of Newcastle, with one of the finest tree collections in Europe and a peace maze

Sight
05

Dundrum Castle

Ruined Norman castle with a round keep on a hill above Dundrum, looking over the bay to the Mournes

Sight
06

Royal County Down Golf Club

Links golf course laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1889 between Newcastle and the Murlough dunes