Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland, is a place where mountains meet the sea and human creativity intertwines with ancient landscapes. At its heart lies Castlewellan Forest Park, a living museum of global flora boasting towering Chilean eucryphias, Japanese maples, and rare conifers that have graced these slopes since 1740. The park’s crown jewel, the Peace Maze - a labyrinth of 6,000 yew trees - embodies Northern Ireland’s journey toward unity, planted by community members with input from thousands of schoolchildren. Navigate its two-mile hedges to reach a central bell, where visitors can literally ring in understanding amid life’s twists and turns.
Step into autumn here, and the trails transform into golden corridors beneath canopies older than the hills they cling to. Families lose themselves in Animal Wood’s treehouse forts or paddle kayaks on Castlewellan Lake’s glassy surface, while hikers conquer Slievenaslat Mountain for vistas of Strangford Lough stretching to the Mournes’ jagged spines. Ancient history lingers too: touch a 5,000-year-old Legannany Dolmen or wander Drumena Cashel’s medieval ruins. Whether sipping coffee at Grange Yard’s seasonal café or tracing pathways first trodden by Victorian botanists, Castlewellan offers timeless adventures where every turn - literal or metaphorical - is infused with purpose.
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Things to See and Do
Castlewellan Forest Park
A dramatic forest park featuring Europe's finest tree collections in its National Arboretum, including champion species from around the globe. Offers walking trails like Lakeside Walk (2.4 miles) and mountain biking trails (currently closed post-storm damage). Canoeing/kayaking rentals available at Life Adventure near Castlewellan Lake.
Castlewellan Peace Maze
Formerly the world's largest permanent hedge maze until 2007, with over 6,000 yew trees. Represents Northern Ireland's peace journey; solve the maze (40-min average) and ring its central bell.
Castlewellan Castle
Scottish Baronial-style castle built in 1856, now a Christian conference center with restricted access. Notable for its architecture overlooking the lake.
Annesley Walled Garden & Rhododendron Wood
A restored 19th-century garden with rare conifers and vibrant seasonal blooms in the historic demesne. Features reopening pathways and champion trees within its protected woodland area.
Animal Wood Play Park
Interactive children's play area with themed trails, climbing structures, and a badger den near the Peace Maze. Suitable for ages 4-11.
Slievenaslat Walk
2.7-mile trail ascending Slievenaslat Mountain for panoramic views of Strangford Lough and the Mournes. Known as one of Northern Ireland's toughest hikes.
Legannany Dolmen
Neolithic portal tomb dating to 3000 BCE, situated on Slieve Croob's slopes. Part of Castlewellan's ancient heritage sites.
Castlewellan Lake & Grange Yard
Man-made Victorian lake offering boating permits and scenic walks. Includes the historic Grange Yard complex with seasonal coffee house and rentals at the forest park entrance.
Moorish Tower Overlook
19th-century folly overlooking Castlewellan Lake, featuring a historic tower design replicated in nearby play areas.
Goward Dolmen
Megalithic burial monument with a displaced granite capstone near Hilltown, showcasing prehistoric Mourne region practices.
Drumena Cashel
Early Christian farmstead ruins 2 miles from Castlewellan on the A25 road, illustrating medieval settlement history.
Getting There
By Car
- From Belfast:
- Follow the A24 through Ballynahinch, Seaforde, and Clough.
- In Clough, follow the A25.
- Castlewellan Forest Park is located on the right in the town of Castlewellan.
- From Dublin:
- Take the M1 to Newry.
- From the A1, take the exit towards Newry/A28/Downpatrick/A25.
- Follow the A25 to Castlewellan.
- The forest park is located on the left in Castlewellan town.
By Air
- Belfast International Airport (approx. 45 miles from Castlewellan)
- George Best Belfast City Airport (approx. 40 miles from Castlewellan)
- Dublin Airport (approx. 95 miles from Castlewellan)
No direct flights to Castlewellan are available. However, nearby airports include:
Parking
- Car parking facilities are available at Castlewellan Forest Park.
- Charges apply for parking:
- Car: £5 per ticket
- All-Park Car Permit: £60 per ticket
By Rail
- Historically, Castlewellan railway station connected Newcastle and Belfast via Lisburn from 1906 to 1955.
The nearest railway station is in Newcastle or Belfast, with no direct trains to Castlewellan.
By Bus
- Visitors can use online journey planners or contact local transportation providers for more information on bus services to Castlewellan.
No specific bus routes are provided, but coach parking is available at Castlewellan Forest Park.
Events & Festivals 2025
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History
The history of Castlewellan dates back to ancient times, with evidence of settlement in the area including the Drumena Cashel, a small stone-built farmstead enclosure from the Early Christian period. Nearby, the Legannany Dolmen and Goward Dolmen are megalithic monuments that attest to the region's rich cultural heritage.
In the 18th century, the Annesley family acquired the land from the Maginess family and began to shape the town's layout, with William Annesley planning the tree-lined squares and wide main street in the 1750s. The old market house, built in 1764, still stands today, housing the public library, although its history is also marked by the site of public executions until this practice was outlawed.
The 19th century saw significant developments in Castlewellan, including the extension of the natural lake in Castlewellan Forest Park by the Annesley family and the construction of Castlewellan Castle, a Scottish baronial castle built between 1856 and 1858. The castle was designed by Scottish architect William Burn and commissioned by the 4th Earl Annesley. However, this period was also marked by turmoil, as evidenced by the Dolly's Brae conflict in 1849, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 80 Catholics and the burning of homes.
The town's history is also intertwined with the story of the Annesley family, who enhanced the arboretum and developed the Castlewellan Estate. The estate passed through several generations of the family before being sold to the government. In 1967, the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture purchased the land and opened the park to the public.
The Troubles had a significant impact on Castlewellan, with incidents such as the killing of three members of the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1980 and the presence of paramilitary groups, including the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The town has historically been an Irish Republican stronghold, with commemorations and marches held to mark significant events, including the 1916 Rising and the 1981 hunger strikes.
In more recent years, Castlewellan has continued to evolve, with the creation of the Peace Maze in 2000, one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes, and the restoration of the Annesley Gardens as part of the 'Re-Rooting our past in the Future: Castlewellan Historic Demesne' project. The National Arboretum of Northern Ireland, located in the park, is home to a dendrological collection of exceptional merit, featuring trees from Asia, Australasia, and North and South America, including Japanese Maple and Giant sequoia planted in the 1850s.