Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park is located in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea, home to one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world. However, Castlewellan has numerous features that draw wider attention. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. To walk around the forest park's mile-long lake, encountering some intriguing modern sculptures on the way, is to enjoy a great experience of eighteenth-century landscaping. The planting of the walled Annesley garden, the focus of the arboretum, was begun in the 1850s and rare conifers and maples were later imported directly from Japan. Then came the addition of more rich varieties, including Chilean eucryphias, Australian athrotaxis and pittosporum and Chinese rhododendrons. The arboretum holds many trees with record heights in the British Isles. One of Northern Ireland's most famous lakes, a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27km of Mountain Bike Trails, Nature Play perfect for the kids, an onsite multi-activity centre, hedge maze and equestrian centre, Castlewellan Forest Park boasts all of this and more making it a must-visit for all ages.

Castlewellan Caravan and Camping Site

Please note that bookings are online only. Click here to make a booking for Castlewellan Caravan and Camping Site.

This is a brand-new booking system so Customer Information does not exist from previous Castlewellan (or Kilbroney Caravan Park) bookings. All users will be required to create a ‘New Customer’ account as part of their first booking.

Play Structure Perfect for the kids, ‘Animal Wood’, play structure is designed for four to eleven year olds and is located beside Castlewellan Peace Maze. Featuring a short path, 'Animal Wood' provides lots of opportunities for playing on wild woodland animals including a badger and its den, a red squirrel and a giant spider. In addition it boasts a wooden play structure with a tower in the image of The Moorish Tower where children can enjoy the climbing wall, fireman’s pole and rope-bridge over to a hollow tree stump slide and Red Kite nest that are sure to keep the kids entertained!  Peace Maze Beside ‘Animal Wood’ you’ll find the Peace Maze, one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze. Dogs must be on a lead in the Peace Maze

Walking Trails Slievenaslat Walk:  2.7 miles  Moorish Tower Walk:  3.2. miles  Lakeside Walk: 2.4 miles  Annesley Garden Walk: 2.2 miles  Cypress Pond Walk: 3.1 miles  Bunkers Hill Walk & Play Trail: 1.2 miles 

Click here to find out more about Castlewellan Forest Park.

Opening times

Walled Garden
April to September – closes at 7pm
October to March – closes at 4.30pm

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - April to September
Starting 01/04/2023
Finishing 30/09/2023
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - March
Starting 01/03/2023
Finishing 31/03/2023
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - October
Starting 01/10/2023
Finishing 31/10/2023
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - November to February
Starting 01/11/2023
Finishing 28/02/2024
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - CLOSED Christmas Day
Starting 25/12/2023
Finishing 25/12/2023
Monday: Open
Tuesday: Open
Wednesday: Open
Thursday: Open
Friday: Open
Saturday: Open
Sunday: Open
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - November to February
Starting 01/11/2023
Finishing 28/02/2024
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - April to September
Starting 01/04/2024
Finishing 30/09/2024
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 21:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - October
Starting 01/10/2024
Finishing 31/10/2024
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 18:00
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - CLOSED Christmas Day
Starting 25/12/2024
Finishing 25/12/2024
Monday: Open
Tuesday: Open
Wednesday: Open
Thursday: Open
Friday: Open
Saturday: Open
Sunday: Open
BankHoliday: Open

Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze - November to February
Starting 01/11/2024
Finishing 28/02/2025
Monday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Tuesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Wednesday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Thursday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Friday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
Sunday: Open from 09:00 to 17:00
BankHoliday: Open

Getting to the start by car

From Belfast follow the A24 through Ballynahinch, Seaforde and Clough.  In Clough follow the A25.  Castlewellan Forest Park is located in the town of Castlewellan on the right.  From Dublin follow the M1 to Newry.  From 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.