Guide to Castle Ward Caravan Park

• Castle Ward Caravan Park is popular so please do book in advance online. If you don't have a booking, we recommend arriving at 2pm to secure a pitch.

• In the booking system, choose your pitch, reading the description carefully. 

• If you need space for an awning or canopy on your caravan or motorhome pitch, please read the pitch descriptions in the booking system carefully to help you choose a pitch with space. Pitches 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 do not have space for an awning or canopy.

• For tent camping, you'll book a tent pitch and then choose your spot from those available when you arrive. 

• The maximum number of adults allowed in a group is four, whether you book together or separately. This is to help preserve the tranquility at the campsite, which isn't suited to larger gatherings. 

• If you would like to camp next to friends or family, please let us know in your online booking and we'll do our best to help although we can't always guarantee adjacent pitches. If you are pitching next to friends or family, there should be no more than four adults in your combined group.

• Any booking with more than four adults and four children is a group booking. You'll need to complete the group booking enquiry form and send it to us, and we'll get back to you. Group bookings can't be made online.

• Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. 

• We welcome organised groups like Duke of Edinburgh and Scouts. Please complete the group booking form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you. Group bookings can't be made online. 

• Your booking includes one car. Please add any additional cars when making your booking.

• The minimum stay is one night, and two nights on Bank Holiday weekends.

• We offer a car free discount if you arrive on foot, by bike or by public transport. Please retain any public transport tickets to claim the discount. Ask for details at reception when you arrive.

• You don't have to be a member of the National Trust to camp and we are unable to offer member discounts due to the regulations we are governed by as a charity. If you'd like to be a member and support our work, please speak to the team at reception.

• Grid reference: NW680037

• What3words: //vast.humble.currently

• Castle Ward Caravan Park is 1 mile from the village of Strangford on the A25. It's well signposted on brown signs.

• Don't turn right coming from Strangford. Instead, carry on along the road and turn at the main Castle Ward entrance to come back on yourself to access the campsite from the main road.

• The entrance is only 2.95 metres wide so please take care when approaching the entrance pillars, and then watch for the speed bumps.

• There's a roadside bus stop at the entrance to the Castle Ward Estate and another in Strangford.

• Please check in at reception between 2pm and 6pm before pitching.

• If you'll arrive late, please email the campsite and we'll do our best to help

• If you don't have a booking, we recommend arriving at 2pm to secure a pitch or phone ahead for information.

• On your day of departure, please leave your pitch by 12noon. If you'd like to extend your stay, please book and pay at reception at 10am.

• The entrance gates to the Caravan Park are 2.95 metres wide. The campsite is suitable for vehicles able to pass through the gates. 

• All pitches are hardstanding and have electric and water hook-up.

• Caravans and tow vehicles must be reversed onto your pitch. 

• Trailer tents are welcome but have to be manhandled onto your pitch. 

• If you need space for an awning or canopy, please be sure to choose a suitable pitch, reading the pitch descriptions in the booking system carefully to help you make your choice. Pitches 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 do not have space for an awning or canopy.

• We have a chemical toilet disposal facility and a drive-on drain for campervans and motorhomes.

• There are 10 tent pitches on the green in the middle of the campsite.

• They are simple grass pitches with no hook-up.

• Pitches are 5 metres x 5 metres, big enough for a large tent for four adults and four children. For tents larger than this or that sleep more than eight people, please book and pay for an additional small pitch. If your tent is too big for the space you've booked, you'll be allocated more space and charged accordingly on arrival.

• There is space for one car near your tent, parked on the edge of the green with two wheels on the grass and two on the path. Additional cars will be parked in the car park, and should be added to your booking.

• Please pitch six metres (seven large steps) from neighbouring tents. 

• There are wooden picnic tables and barbecue grills scattered around the green.

• Think of a pod as a replacement for a tent. You'll need to bring everything you would bring if you were camping in a tent, such as a sleeping mat or inflatable mattress, sleeping bag, pots and pans, a stove and camping chairs. Please bring a torch.

• Pods are insulated and have heat, light and sockets. There's a maximum capacity of 10amps, so please bring small/travel or low-wattage electrical items, particularly kettles.

• There are six pods, a mix of Standard Pods, Family Pods and Plus Pods - two of each. 

• Standard Pods are suitable for either two adults and one child, or a maximum of two adults. There's nothing inside the Standard Pods. They're not dog friendly.

• Family pods are suitable for two adults and two children, or a maximum of two adults. There's nothing inside the Family Pods. They're not dog friendly.

• Plus pods are suitable for two adults and two children, or a maximum of two adults. They're not dog friendly. The Plus Pods have a front section with two single beds and mattresses (some campers like to put a sleeping mat on top), designed to be used as seating during the day. There is storage space below. The back section has mattresses for another two people, which can be folded up to provide two more seats. There are hooks for hanging rucksacks and jackets.

• Outside, the pods have a small deck with two folding wooden chairs, and a picnic table with a barbecue grill. The Plus Pods also have a couple of heavy wooden armchairs on the deck.

• The pods are on the far side of the site under trees. The Family and Plus Pods are on a slope with a steep incline, while the two Standard Pods, P1 and P2, are at the bottom of the slope on more level ground. 

• No cooking in the pods please. There's a designated area for barbecuing outside the pods. 

• The pods are not dog friendly.

• The pods are no smoking, including the area around the pods.

• Pods one and two have parking spaces next to them. For pods three, four, five and six, you'll park at the end of the main trail path close to the pods. 

The reception and shop is open 10am - 4pm. There's no campsite shop at Castle Ward.

Showers and toilets: The facilities block has showers and toilets, and an accessible shower and toilet. Hot showers are free of charge. 

Washing-up area: The washing-up area is indoors, and there's plenty of hot water. Please give the area a wipe down after you've used it, so it's ready for the next person.

Laundry: There are two washing machines and two dryers, using tokens available from reception (£3 wash/£4 dry). There's a small drying room.

Drinking water: There are water points to fill your containers. 

Waste: The recycling centre has bins for general waste, recycling, food waste and glass. 

Chemical waste: We have a chemical toilet disposal facility and a drive-on drain for campervans and motorhomes.

Freeze packs: There's a freezer for freezing your own ice blocks. We don't hire them.

Gas cylinders: There is a shop in Strangford for exchanging gas cylinders. 

Electric Vehicle charging: Sorry, there's no electric vehicle charging point at the campsite.

Parking: Cars with tents are parked along the edge of the green with two wheels on the grass and two on the path. Pods one and two have parking spaces next to them. For pods three, four, five and six, you'll park at the end of the main trail path close to the pods. 

Wi-Fi: There's no Wi-Fi at the campsite.You will find free National Trust Wi-Fi at the Stableyard Tea-room, a 20-minute walk from the campsite.

Mobile phone signal: There is good mobile phone signal in the area but it's a good idea to check with your provider.

Local information: There's a local information point, and the team is very happy to answer questions and give more information about the local area.

We welcome dogs free of charge, two per pitch. Let us know when you book. Sorry, the pods are not dog friendly. When at the campsite, please keep your dog on a lead at all times and exercise them away from other campers. Please pick up after your dog right away and use the waste bins provided. 

Sorry, campfires are not allowed at Castle Ward Caravan Park. 

Charcoal barbecues are allowed when raised from the ground. There are barbecue grills outside of the  pods and some on the camping gree. You are welcome to bring your own. 

Vehicles wider than 2.95m: Sorry, we can't accept vehicles wider than the gate allows. 

Quiet time: Please think of your neighbours and help us protect the peace and tranquility at Castle Ward Caravan Park at all times. No noise 11pm - 7am please.

Cooking safety: Cooking inside tents or pods is not permitted and can be lethal due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

No smoking please, including in or around the pods.

No audible devices please including radios, stereos or other sound systems please.

Group bookings: The maximum number of adults allowed in any party is four, whether you book together or separately, unless you are with an official group. Official groups, like Duke of Edinburgh, are very welcome at National Trust campsites. Please complete the booking form at the bottom of this page.

Lost property: If you leave any of your possessions behind at the campsite, please contact us as soon as possible.

We reserve the right to charge you for any storage and delivery costs that we incur in relation to your lost property. We charge a lost property charge of £10 to cover our administrative costs and standard Royal Mail delivery up to 2kgs in the UK to return your items to you. If a request to return your items deviates from these conditions, then we reserve the right to charge you any additional costs.

Where possible, we’ll hold lost property for three months after which it’ll be disposed of. Perishables will be disposed of immediately and are therefore unreturnable. In addition, we will only be able to return items permissible by Royal Mail.

Problem or complaint: Every reasonable care will be taken to ensure that the camping pitch, pod or bothy and also site amenities are presented to a high standard. Should you find any cause for complaint, please immediately contact one of the campsite staff, so that reasonable steps can then be taken to rectify the problem. National Trust will not normally make any refunds in respect of complaints made after the Visitor’s departure from the campsite if the Visitor did not make the problem or complaint known to staff during the Visitor’s stay. If you supplied an email address at the time of booking, a survey will be emailed to you for your comments after your stay. Alternatively, a comment form may be completed and left at the campsite reception. All complaints made after the Visitor’s departure should be made in writing by post or email to:

Guest Relations Manager

National Trust Holidays, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Email: guestrelations@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Small print: In addition to the site rules in this campsite guide, there are terms and conditions that apply to your booking. You can also read them on the campsite notice board.

On the Castle Ward estate, you'll find Clearsky Adventure Centre, for hiring bikes and craft, and booking a range of outdoor activities. Strangford Lough Activity Centre offers a range of activities on and around the lough.

The Estate has a National Trust Shop which sells local produce, a second-hand bookshop and the Stableyard Tea-room. There are two play areas on the estate, a 20-minute walk from the campsite and you can pick up a children's activity pack. 

Strangford, a picturesque village, is two miles away and a 15-minute walk from the campsite. It has a couple of small grocery shops, one with a Post Office, and there's a cash machine on the main road (near the barber) and one in a village shop which may charge a fee. Strangford has family-friendly pubs and quaint shops. You can walk there along the A25, following a narrow footpath. You do have to cross the main road to read the second footpath, and will need a torch to do this at night, or it's a five-minute drive.  

The closest supermarket is on the far edge of Downpatrick (eight miles away), about a 20-minute drive away. There are banks with cash machines in Downpatrick, a fuel station and a choice of pubs and restaurants. It has a cinema, a leisure centre, indoor play centre and the Down County Museum. 

There's a roadside bus stop at the entrance to the Castle Ward Estate and another in Strangford.

As a campsite guest, you have free entry to all National Trust places. Murlough Nature Reserve, the Mournes mountains, Rowallane Gardens and Mount Stewart are all in driving distance. There are many other attractions in the area, and you'll find plenty of information in reception to inspire you. 

Strangford Lough has coastal paths, woodland treks and islands to discover by canoe or kayak. You can walk to one, Gibbs Island, by causeway when the tide is low. The surrounding area has pretty villages, with antique shops, art galleries, cafes, pubs and places to eat. 

There are many nearby beaches including those close to the mouth of Strangford Lough on the Irish Sea, like Kilclief and Ballyhornan.