Visiting Castle Coole with Family

What's on at Castle Coole?

We have a great summer programme of events lined up at Castle Coole. From piano recitals, to guided walks, twilight tours, sports camps, lawn games and more. There's something for everyone to enjoy.

Visit our events page for a full list of what's coming up.

Planning your family visit

• Children must be supervised at all times as there are water features and uneven surfaces on site.
• Balance bikes can be borrowed free of charge from Visitor Reception.
• Bike hire is available for all ages, just ask in Visitor Reception when you arrive on site.
• Tracker packs can be borrowed with a small refundable deposit from Visitor Reception and include kits to go bug hunting, butterfly catching and pond dipping.
• Baby changing facilities located in disability access toilets in the Tunnel yard in the building beside Visitor Reception.
• The tearoom is located in the Tunnel yard, through Visitor Reception and beside the Drying Green, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
• Picnic tables are located in the main visitor areas including beside the car park, in the Play Grounds or alternatively bring a rug for a picnic on the front lawn.

Play areas

Playground

The play area is located up behind beside the car park on arrival to Castle Coole. We encourage children to use their imagination and get close to nature in Castle Coole.

Tracker packs are available with a refundable deposit from Visitor Reception.

Get on your bike

Castle Coole is perfect for a day out on the bike with paths ranging from an enjoyable, gentle cycle to trails in the woodland for the more adventurous cyclist. For a gentle cycle, take your bike around the Lake Walk taking in Lough Coole and the birds and bees along your route. For those looking for more of a challenge, head out on the Beech Trail and into the woodland for more incline and wooded trail, be alert for walkers on this trail.

Bike hire

We have a number of bikes available to hire from visitor reception for half or full day hire. Bike helmets are provided.

Bikes are available for adults. Under 18s will need to be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own children’s bikes so the whole family can enjoy the estate.

Balance Bikes

Balance Bikes are the perfect way to help your future cyclists learn how to ride in the safety of the great outdoors. Cycling is an important life skill and a healthy way to explore outdoors. We want to help the next generation’s cyclists learn to ride, starting their lifelong love of cycling in beautiful natural surroundings. That's why we are delighted to offer free-to-hire balance bikes to our visitors.

The balance bikes and helmets are free to hire from the Visitor Centre. No need to book - just turn up and get pedalling.

50 things to do before you’re 11¾

Are you ready for your next wild adventure? Castle Coole is the perfect place to explore outdoors and tick some fun activities off the National Trust’s '50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list.

Here are just some of the activities you can conquer with family and friends. How many can you do on your next visit?

• No. 1 - Get to know a tree
• No. 4 - Build a den
• No. 6 - Go welly wandering
• No. 5 - Skim a stone
• No. 9 - Eat a picnic in the wild
• No. 11 - Explore on wheels
• No. 18 - Create some wild art
• No. 31 - Make friends with a bug
• No. 34 - Discover wild animal clues
• No. 44 - Watch a bird
• No. 50 - Take a friend on a nature adventure