Castle Ward National Trust

14/10/2026

Halloween at Castle Weird....

📆24 October to 1 November
🪲Castle Weird Halloween Trail
🎟 No booking required, normal admission applies, members free

There's been a few spooky goings on around Castle Ward - visit to walk our Hallowe'en trail and test your bravery along the way.

Discover the fascinating and slightly creepy world of Mary Ward and her famous "creepy crawly" creations.

The trail slithers and snakes it's way starting from the stable yard, winding its way through the sunken garden!

🎃👻 🍀

12/10/2026

Unlock the secrets to Castle Ward this week!

🏛 60 Remarkable Rooms of the National Trust Talk
📆Wednesday 14 October 11:30 to 3:30pm
🎟 Book your ticket £12, https://shorturl.at/aFa3Q
(entry to the property included in ticket price)

Join us for a special opportunity to explore some of Castle Ward’s most remarkable interiors and meet the authors of '60 Remarkable Rooms of the National Trust'.

Booking essential
National Curators Elizabeth Green and James Rothwell will be talking to visitors in the Bo***ir room from 11:30am - 1pm, which is one of the Remarkable Rooms featured in the book.

Ticket price for the talk includes entry to the house and gardens.

They will be sharing the history, design and significance of this extraordinary space and what makes it so important within the Trust’s collection. Ticket holders can enter Mansion House between 11.30am and 1.30pm for free flow meet and greet with the curators and then the talk will take place in the theatre at 2pm.

10/10/2026

This could be you...

Autumn has arrived at Castle Ward and there has never been a better time to cosy up in nature. Stroll through the woodland as leaves turn into golden and reddish hues, wander along the shoreline and spot seals, otters, red squirrels and pine martens up close and feel yourself unwind.

Book your Autumn getaway here
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/northern-ireland/castle-ward-caravan-park

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09/10/2026

Visitor Notice

Please note there will be a horse riding event on Sunday (11 October). We expect a large number of riders to be using the Hoof Trail throughout the day. To accommodate event participants, all overflow parking will be reserved for riders and their vehicles, so unfortunately we won't be able to accommodate private horse riding on the estate that day. Thank you for your understanding.

08/10/2026

This October, discover the treasures hidden within our collections during Open Cabinets Month.

Throughout the month, a selection of historic cabinets will be opened, revealing the fascinating objects, precious trinkets, and decorative curiosities stored inside. Showcasing pieces that are both beautiful and intriguing inside and out, these cabinets offer a rare opportunity to explore objects that have seldom been seen by the public, or have not been displayed for many years.

Visitors can discover the stories behind these remarkable collections and gain a unique insight into how treasured possessions were stored and displayed in the past. Join a guided house tour on weekdays or explore at your own pace with a self-guided visit at weekends to uncover these hidden gems and experience a side of the collection rarely on view.

Included with admission. Available from 1-31 October (house closed Tuesdays).

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07/10/2026

Spooky season is in full swing at Castle Ward with our team of fabulous staff and volunteers working on our Halloween Trail.

Find out what's on this October https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/castle-ward/events

🎃👻

06/10/2026

Join us for a Red Squirrel Walk at Castle Ward this weekend. 🐿🌰

🍂Red Squirrel Awareness Walk
📆Sat 10 & Sun 11 October at 11am

Step into the heart of Castle Ward’s woodlands for this relaxed guided walk which offers the chance to slow down, connect with nature, and learn more about the red squirrels that call the estate home.

As you explore ancient woodland paths, our guides will help you spot signs of red squirrel activity while sharing fascinating insights into their behaviour, habitat, and the conservation efforts helping them thrive.

Along the way, you'll also enjoy:

Red Squirrel Discovery Walk – Learn how to identify red squirrels and the important work being done to protect them.
Woodland Wildlife Watch – Keep an eye out for birds, wildflowers, and other woodland species that share the habitat.
Nature & Conservation Insights – Explore the estate's rich biodiversity and find out how you can support local wildlife.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, a keen photographer, or simply looking for a peaceful way to enjoy the outdoors, this walk offers a unique opportunity to experience the estate from a different perspective. With every visit, there's something new to discover, from rustling treetops and birdsong to (hopefully) a glimpse of a red squirrel darting through the canopy.

Book your spot by emailing [email protected] or call 02844881204

05/10/2026

It's and here at Castle Ward the population of reds has been increasing.

Work has been ongoing to introduce red squirrels to Castle Ward since 2020 but C
OVID put the brakes on, after which there was an unsuccessful reintroduction attempt in Sept/Oct 2022.

The red squirrels currently in Castle Ward are the result of a number of releases from May 2025 to March 2026.

There have been sightings of the squirrels throughout the estate and trail camera footage showed them to be healthy and interacting well. This spring we had footage of a pregnant squirrel as well as kits!

We very much hope that supplementary feeding will give our squirrels a good chance of survival over the winter and, supplemented with further releases, allow us to build on this year’s successes in 2027.

This work is the result of a committed and involved partnership between The Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group and the National Trust’s Ranger team here at Castle Ward. We now have the first red squirrel kits in the estate in living memory, and hope that these iconic native mammals will continue to grace the beautiful woods of Castle Ward – they belong here!

A massive thank you to Stephen for the footage.

01/10/2026

Treachery is in the air....

Will you be a faithful at Castle Ward this October?

Book your place at the Castle now https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/castle-ward/events/1b34e01c-fd74-4b56-92d6-b8dcdf4a374c

It's Traitors Thursday! ... and there's already been a murder at Castle Ward. Can you help solve the mystery?

📆Friday 16 October 6:45pm to 11pm

🔪Murder Mystery Evening

🎟 Book here - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/castle-ward/events

The year is 1900... There is evidence that there has been some sinister goings-on at Castle Ward Mansion House. The terrible death of the Baron’s servant, Jane Bell has shaken everyone to their core. You have been tasked with investigating and solving the mysterious case of Miss Bell’s demise. Did she really fall from the upper floor window?

Begin the night with welcome drinks in the entrance hall. Then stay sharp as the clues begin to unfold! If you get out alive, join the rest of the survivors for drinks and canapes as you try to understand what has unfolded this evening.

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