Castle Ward Caravan Park
Enquire & book
Check availability, prices and bookHistorical attractions and nature trails on the lough shore, a short walk from vibrant Strangford village.
At a glance
- Type of accommodation
- Tents, Campervans, Caravans, Motorhomes, Pods
- Number of places / pitches
- 35
- Seasons
- 1 Jan 2023 - 23 Dec 2024
- 27 Dec 2024 - 23 Dec 2025
- Minimum stay
- 1 night
- Dogs welcome per pitch
- 2
About Castle Ward Caravan Park
Castle Ward Caravan Park is near the many trails that criss-cross the Castle Ward estate, once known for its eccentric owners and mansion house, and now famous as Winterfell in Game of Thrones. There's a real variety of trails for all levels of walking, with peaceful places to discover even in the holidays - perfect for spotting a red squirrel or a pine marten. They're also suitable for bikes which are available for hire, including balance bikes for small children.
It's on the shore of Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in the British Isles. You can paddle its calm waters by canoe or kayak to spot seals, porpoises and otters as well as many sea birds. The area is steeped in history, with Mesolithic hunter gatherers, Vikings and Norman invaders all leaving their mark.
A 15-minute walk takes you into Strangford Village, with lots of family-friendly pubs and restaurants and a lively summer festival. You can catch the ferry from there to Portaferry for sandy beaches and the aquarium. Local villages offer antiques, galleries, historical buildings and plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Check-in is from 2pm, with departures by 12noon.To help preserve the site's tranquillity, the maximum number of adults in any booking is four and this applies whether you book together or separately. Parties of more than four adults and four children are considered a group. For group bookings including organised groups like Duke of Edinburgh, directions, late arrivals, facility information, electric vehicle charging, local area guides and more, please check the Guide to Castle Ward Caravan Park.
Features and facilities
- BBQs allowed, available
- Electric hook-up, available
- Laundry, available
- Toilets, available
- Water hook-up, available
- Chemical disposal, available
- Hardstanding, available
- Showers, available
- Washing-up area, available
Location
Campsite map
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Castle Ward Caravan Park, County Down
Take a tour of lough-side campsite Castle Ward Caravan Park, with cosy pods as well as pitches for tents, campervans and caravans.
Caravans, campervans, motorhomes and trailer tents
Castle Ward has 25 hardstanding pitches, all with electric hook-up and water hook-up, surrounded by woodland on the lough shore. Nearly all have space for an awning or canopy, and a car or motorbike parked alongside. Please note, the entrance gates to the Caravan Park are 2.95 metres wide so we can't accept vehicles too wide to enter.
Pitching your tent
There are 10 simple tent pitches with no hook-up on the grass in the centre of the campsite. You can park alongside your tent. There are pitches for all sizes of tents, so please read the descriptions in the booking system carefully to help you make your choice. Large tents will need two pitches. There's more information about tent sizes in the Guide to Castle Ward Caravan Park.
Pods
There's a handful of pods in the trees at Castle Ward, up on a slope looking across the site. The pods offer a few simple comforts - a soft floor, heat, light and sockets. Think of a pod as a replacement for your tent, and bring all your other camping gear, including sleeping bags and mats, pots and pans, a stove and camping chairs. You can find out more in the Guide to Castle Ward Caravan Park..
Standard Pods and Family Pods
Think of these pods as a replacement for your tent. They are one room and have no mattresses, so please bring your sleeping mats or airbeds with you. Standard Pods sleep up to two adults and one child, while Family Pods sleep up to two adults and three children. A maximum of two adults can sleep in each pod, and they're not dog friendly.
Plus Pods
Plus Pods have a front and back section. The front section has two benches with mattresses, which can be used as seating in the day and single beds at night. There is storage space under the benches and hooks to hang equipment. The back section also has floor mattresses, which can be folded up for extra seating. A maximum of two adults can sleep in each pod, and they're not dog friendly.
Guide to Castle Ward Caravan Park
Find all the information you need to book and plan your holiday at Castle Ward Caravan Park...
Things to see and do while you stay
There are six trails on the Castle Ward estate and when you arrive, we’ll give you a map and help you decide where to start. Some head off for miles of adventure, while others are leisurely and perfectly placed for stopping off at the National Trust Café, near the shop and second-hand bookshop. Four are suitable for families. Castle Ward is a great place to visit as a family, with plenty happening on the estate in the summer holidays including a whole programme of Summer of Play activities. There's a woodland play area and adventure play area open every day, a 20-minute walk from the campsite. You have free entry to all National Trust places during your stay, so as well as making the most of Castle Ward's house, garden and historic farmyard, head for Murlough National Nature Reserve, Mount Stewart and Rowallane Garden.
Game of Thrones
The Castle Ward Estate provided some of the most recognisable locations in season one of Game of Thrones. The historic farmyard stood in for parts of Winterfell, including the archery range where the Stark children practised their skills. Take a wander round the wider estate and you might also recognise Robb Stark’s army camp. The battle between the Starks and Lannisters in episode nine (‘Baelor’) was also filmed here, along with the scene in episode ten (‘Fire and Blood’) where Brienne confronts three Stark men. You can pick up a map of the key locations when you arrive.
Holiday cottages at Castle Ward
For friends and family who'd like to join your holiday, there are two holiday cottages at Castle Ward. The Potter's Cottage (sleeps four, dog friendly) is in the former farmyard, right in the hub of the estate. Downpatrick Gate Lodge (sleeps two, dog friendly) is a romantic little cottage, tucked away on a secluded part of the estate.
Exploring the area
Wildlife at Strangford Lough
The lough is one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the UK. When the tide is out you see the mud flats which is winter attract wading birds like curlews, and geese.
Canoeing and kayaking at Strangford Lough
Grab your kit and explore the largest sea lough in the British Isles. Soak up unique views, spot marine wildlife and see the many islands dotted along this part of the coast.
Loughside walk at Castle Ward
Northern IrelandExplore the waterside, with a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake, follies and wildlife to spot along the way, on this easy circular walk.