Tollymore became Northern Ireland's first state forest park in 1955. It covers 630 hectares at the foot of the Mournes at Bryansford, just west of Newcastle, with views of both the mountains and the sea. The Shimna River runs through it, crossed by 16 bridges, the oldest built in 1726, and the 18th-century owners left grottos and follies along its banks, including the Hermitage, a stone shelter built into the side of the gorge in 1770.
Four waymarked trails start at the main car park, from a half-mile arboretum path to the 3-mile River Trail and longer mountain routes, and the Ulster Way passes through. Look out for dippers and kingfishers on the river and for the feral Mandarin ducks that have lived here since 1978. Cycling is not allowed in Tollymore.