Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan Forest Park
4.3
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
12 within 5 kms
Attractions
31 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.3
410 reviews
Excellent
247
Very good
102
Average
26
Poor
12
Terrible
23
DubTwosome
Dublin, Ireland2,085 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is a pleasant enough place for a short visit or a simple stroll. We did exactly that on a November afternoon recently. There is a charge for cars – apologies, for some unexplained reason I couldn't upload all the photos that I wanted to, specially the one with the car charges on it. Rambled up to the lake and took in the views, took lots of pics and enjoyed the peace and serenity of the surroundings. Would be much more colourful in spring or summer, but at least it was a dry November day. Lots of people out walking, taking in the scenery and of course the beautiful castle. We couldn’t stay too long as the light was fading but it is definitely worth a visit and see the old farmyard area / stables that once sustained the castle on the hill. There are a few different walks, but wear sensible footwear and take your camera!!
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pack your suitcase
Northern Ireland, UK1,047 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We came to the Park on a Bank Holiday Saturday and it was buzzing. The £5 parking fee was well worth it as the park is well kept and very expanse. The walking tracks are well cared for and maintained. The lake had a lot of boats on it and many families had picnics and BBQs. We didn't go into the maze but will next time. A great space to walk or to go with children and very inexpensive.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SCC
Scotland, UK33 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We visited the park to do the Peace Maze. Parking was £5, the only cost to go there and given the facilities on offer I thought this was very reasonable. The Peace Maze was good fun and took us quite a while to figure out. It's clearly looked after and we had a brilliant afternoon. It's worth visiting and a great day out for couples, families and groups.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GailT01
Banbridge, UK4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
I was at Castlewellan ( not the outdoor activity centre) lake yesterday. There are notices up saying the lake water is toxic due to blue green algae. In the past there were occasional issues with this in hot summer weather but now the lake is so polluted it’s toxic all year round. Too toxic to let a dog go for a swim. I’m assuming it’s not safe for human water sports either.
Yes. It’s disgraceful and no I get the impression there is no remedial action being taken.
If you want to book watersports at Castlewellan lake you should phone up first and ask about the water status first.
Yes. It’s disgraceful and no I get the impression there is no remedial action being taken.
If you want to book watersports at Castlewellan lake you should phone up first and ask about the water status first.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Lisburn, UK21 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Park is great, went during this recent extended hot weather. Very busy..hiwever, everyone seemed respectful.
The only issue I had was with camping. If you chose to go camping, please bear in mind, this is a campsite for pi55 heads!! Night 1, it was pretty loud until 12am. Night 2, this disgusting group of 5 families basically built up site around us. The beer flowed froma about 7pm until 1 or 2am with total lack of respect for all families around us. Alot of families were vocally making themselves known that they were taking the pi55....which they found hilarious and sort of egged us on.
I hope they read this, because they were disgusting. (2 x souther cars and 3 x cars from North)
A total of lack of respect. I've been to other camp sites and this just seemed to be a drinkers camp site.
Apart from that the facilities were moderate and clean
The only issue I had was with camping. If you chose to go camping, please bear in mind, this is a campsite for pi55 heads!! Night 1, it was pretty loud until 12am. Night 2, this disgusting group of 5 families basically built up site around us. The beer flowed froma about 7pm until 1 or 2am with total lack of respect for all families around us. Alot of families were vocally making themselves known that they were taking the pi55....which they found hilarious and sort of egged us on.
I hope they read this, because they were disgusting. (2 x souther cars and 3 x cars from North)
A total of lack of respect. I've been to other camp sites and this just seemed to be a drinkers camp site.
Apart from that the facilities were moderate and clean
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann Wilson
2 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a beautiful forest park. I hadn't been there for a number of years but since moving back to Co. Down my husband and I have enjoyed revisiting the park.
BUT we couldn't believe that the arrangements for getting an ice cream or cup of tea has not changed in over 25 years!!!!!
Surely a park this size which is very popular should have a new, purpose built cafe serving good quality lite bites at the very least!!!!!!!
We were there today (the first Saturday in July) and the tiny kiosk which usually serves tea/coffee?ice cream was CLOSED!!!
BUT we couldn't believe that the arrangements for getting an ice cream or cup of tea has not changed in over 25 years!!!!!
Surely a park this size which is very popular should have a new, purpose built cafe serving good quality lite bites at the very least!!!!!!!
We were there today (the first Saturday in July) and the tiny kiosk which usually serves tea/coffee?ice cream was CLOSED!!!
Written 3 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review
I am going to reply to this review, something which I never do.
The reason why we had to close is because our staff became infect with that deadly virus that is going around. You might have heard of it, but incase you didn't, its called Coronavirus or another name for it is Covid-19.
Because of the staff coming down with this Pandemic, we took the responsibility to close the business and isolate with the health authorities recommendations. We also have followed strict Covid guidelines on deep cleaning and making the business secure for both staff and customers.
Please be aware that we will be back to business as usual this weekend incase you would like to call by and apologise to us in person.
Have a nice day!!!
Written 7 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Denice M
4 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
I'm sorry but this place isn't great at all tents should not b put up same area as caravans. the place has so much diggers because of construction work it should b advertise on the website that they have construction work going on. I don't think there is any security about cars driving round with the music full blast at stupid oclock and the shower/toilet r not clean for the price is brutal. defo would not recommend
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familyof4
2 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
My husband and I along with our two small children visited Castlewellan Forest Park for the first time on Sunday. I must say we were really impressed by its beautiful gardens, lake and castle. Unfortunately the Peace Maze was closed because of Covid-19 restrictions.
The forest rangers are very friendly and like to have a bit of banter with you. The parking is free at the moment. I suppose this is to ease the parking in the local town.
The cafe is also closed, but someone there definitely is a genius... there is a small window at the front of the building and you can get all you need from there with a really excellent variety of choices. You have a brilliant choice of basic hot food, sweets, crisps, cold and hot drinks, ice lollies and an amazing choice of buns / traybakes. Seriously you couldn't ask for better.
You can hire paddle boards and kayaks if you fancy a dip in the lake.
The only downside to the whole day was, there too many bikes there. Seriously how someone hasn't been hurt or killed yet is beyond me and the forest rangers seem to be powerless to stop them. Health and safety really needs to look into this before its too late.
But don't let them put you off visiting. We will be back hopefully in the not to distant future
The forest rangers are very friendly and like to have a bit of banter with you. The parking is free at the moment. I suppose this is to ease the parking in the local town.
The cafe is also closed, but someone there definitely is a genius... there is a small window at the front of the building and you can get all you need from there with a really excellent variety of choices. You have a brilliant choice of basic hot food, sweets, crisps, cold and hot drinks, ice lollies and an amazing choice of buns / traybakes. Seriously you couldn't ask for better.
You can hire paddle boards and kayaks if you fancy a dip in the lake.
The only downside to the whole day was, there too many bikes there. Seriously how someone hasn't been hurt or killed yet is beyond me and the forest rangers seem to be powerless to stop them. Health and safety really needs to look into this before its too late.
But don't let them put you off visiting. We will be back hopefully in the not to distant future
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kat J
Bath, UK1 contribution
May 2021 • Couples
Please ignore reviews that complain that there is no toilet block in the middle of a forest. Why would there be? People that require having facilities always within 5 mins need to avoid big beautiful expanses of nature.
That said, I imagine this is the ideal place for those on mobility scooters to visit as the path around the lake is large, flat and very well kept.
It’s outstandingly beautiful. It was very peaceful. Would love to go back and explore more by venturing into the forest rather than just walking the lake.
That said, I imagine this is the ideal place for those on mobility scooters to visit as the path around the lake is large, flat and very well kept.
It’s outstandingly beautiful. It was very peaceful. Would love to go back and explore more by venturing into the forest rather than just walking the lake.
Written 15 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah J
5 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Stayed at the campsite in a tent for a weekend in May. Toilet blocks are ancient, no hot water from taps all weekend, and the hand dryers in one of the toilet blocks weren't working. The Friday night 5 lads came down in a tent, stayed up until 4pm loudly laughing, swearing & car alarm going off all night. Then at it again at 8am. Couldn't contact the out of hours security as the phone number was only posted up inside one of the two toilet blocks (which I didn't use/notice until the next day). Wouldn't camp there again.
The lake walk is nice and the maze is good (though closed currently due to COVID). Lots of open space for a picnic/day trip, and a huge car park. Also seemed to be mountain bike rentals available (though didn't rent any myself).
The lake walk is nice and the maze is good (though closed currently due to COVID). Lots of open space for a picnic/day trip, and a huge car park. Also seemed to be mountain bike rentals available (though didn't rent any myself).
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip advisor thinks this is a question? If so you can easily hire electric bikes in Castlewellan forest park. Life Adventure is set up there to rent not only bikes and electric bikes but also canoes and stand up paddle boards. They are awesome and not particularly pricey.
Written 20 October 2020
Hi, is Stand Up Paddle boarding permitted, if so is there a charge? It is not an organised event. Also. Are there organised SUP events on the lake?
Written 26 August 2019
Does only parking cost money, or does it cost money to go in the peace maze, too?
Written 16 September 2018
If you are worried about the maze take a photo - you can find the way out from that.
Written 18 September 2018
Can you tell me why your security men drive around at night time taking pictures of children and looking thru peoples windows?
Written 11 July 2018
Can you have a fire at the campsite?
Written 25 September 2017
In a pit yes, as most campsites allow this. Not just a full on fire. Reason being if everyone done this, the campsite would look a mess with 100s of patches all over place dont you think?
Written 26 September 2017
Hi.. what is the cost to get in to the maze? thanks
Written 25 June 2017
The charge is to get into the forest no charge for the maze. I have a yearly pass , I think the cost of a car might be £5 that would include driver & passengers. Or if you would like to walk down the drive you could park in the Main Street .
You will get a map of the forest at the wardens hut .
There is an other maze in Castlewellen on a farm I have been there with my grandchildren best to bring a picnic. Sorry I can't remember the admission price except it's person.
Written 27 June 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 13
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing