COUNTY DOWN, NORTHERN IRELAND / 3-DAY COASTAL ROAD TRIP
County Down Coast Road Trip
Start in the seaside town of Newcastle under the Mountains of Mourne, stand beside the Silent Valley reservoir, then drive the Down coast through Downpatrick to the Strangford ferry and finish along the Ards shore at Mount Stewart and Newtownards.
At a glance
Why this road trip is worth doing
This County Down road trip packs mountains, a reservoir, ancient history, a lough ferry and one of the National Trust’s great gardens into about 110 miles. You begin in Newcastle, the seaside town that sits right under the Mountains of Mourne, head up to the Silent Valley reservoir, then circle the Down coast through Downpatrick to the Strangford ferry. After crossing to Portaferry you drive up the Ards shore to finish at Mount Stewart and Newtownards.
We have planned it as three relaxed days, which leaves time to stop, walk and eat rather than just drive. The mileage is a rough estimate, so use the map below to plan each leg.
- Distance: about 110 miles in total (a rough estimate).
- Time: 3 days is a comfortable pace, with Newcastle as an easy first base.
- Start and finish: Newcastle to Newtownards, a one-way route rather than a loop.
- Highlights: Silent Valley reservoir, Murlough Nature Reserve, Downpatrick, Castle Ward, the Strangford to Portaferry ferry, Mount Stewart and Scrabo Hill.
- Best time: May to September for the best weather and views, but the Mournes are best on clear days at any time.
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Useful overnight bases
Where to base yourself
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Newcastle
Newcastle, County Down
Compare stays →Portaferry
Portaferry, County Down
Compare stays →Newtownards
Newtownards, County Down
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Route itinerary
Build the journey day by day
Newcastle and Silent Valley
Base yourself in Newcastle, the seaside town under the Mournes. Drive up to the Silent Valley reservoir, where you pay at the Head Road gates and follow the one-way system. Choose a trail to suit the weather, then come back to the coast. If you have time, Murlough Nature Reserve and the free Slieve Donard walk from Donard Park are both close to town.
Overnight base: Newcastle
Route advice: Wear proper footwear for the harder Mourne trails. Some west side trails were under repair in August 2023, so check which are open.
Parking or booking: Silent Valley car park was £5 per car (NI Water, page updated August 2023; may be out of date). Murlough parking was listed at £5 in an undated guide.
Down coast, Downpatrick and the ferry
Drive round the Down coast through Downpatrick towards Strangford. Castle Ward is a good stop on the way (it is closed on Tuesdays, so plan the day around that). Then take the ferry from Strangford across the lough to Portaferry, which saves a long drive around. For lunch with lough views, Daft Eddy’s near Nendrum is an option.
Overnight base: Portaferry or Strangford
Route advice: The ferry is weather dependent, so check it is running on the day.
Parking or booking: Castle Ward was listed at £13 for adults (undated guide; check). National Trust members are free. We could not find the ferry fare.
Ards shore to Newtownards
Follow the Ards shore north from Portaferry to Mount Stewart, the National Trust house and gardens. Finish in Newtownards, where Scrabo Hill gives free views and walks. Kearney village and the Floodgates are other free stops on the Ards shore.
Overnight base: Newtownards
Route advice: Many Down roads are narrow with bends and hedges, so take your time.
Parking or booking: Mount Stewart was listed at £11 for adults, £5.50 for children and £27.50 for a family (undated guide; check). National Trust members are free.
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Before you go
Practical information
Money-saving tips. Silent Valley car park was £5 per car, paid at the Head Road gates, with an annual pass at £20 a car if you visit often (NI Water, page updated August 2023, so it may be out of date). Motorcycles were £2.50 and walkers or cyclists £1.60. Mount Stewart was listed at £11 for adults, £5.50 for children and £27.50 for a family, and Castle Ward at £13 for adults (an undated guide, so likely out of date; check before you go). National Trust members get in free, which pays off if you visit both. Slieve Donard from Donard Park is a free mountain walk; we have not verified whether the car park charges. The Floodgates, Scrabo Hill and Kearney village are good free stops for views and walks.
Ferry. The Strangford to Portaferry crossing saves a long drive around the lough, but it is weather dependent, so check availability on the day. We could not find the fare in the sources we checked.
Roads. Many Down roads are narrow with hedges and bends, so take your time. Follow the one-way system at Silent Valley and check which trails are open; some west side trails were under repair in August 2023.
Clothing. Wear proper footwear for the harder Mourne trails; the mountains are remote and wind-swept.
Charging and fuel. We did not find EV charging information, so charge in Newcastle, Downpatrick or Newtownards before heading out. Fuel and driving are in miles and pounds sterling throughout Northern Ireland.
Eating. Daft Eddy’s near Nendrum is a lunch stop with lough views; we have not checked prices.
Prices and opening times change, so check the latest details before you go.
Parking
Silent Valley car park was £5 per car, paid at the Head Road gates (NI Water, page updated August 2023, so it may have changed). Murlough Nature Reserve parking was listed at £5 (undated guide, so check).
Tickets and booking
National Trust members get into Mount Stewart and Castle Ward free. Castle Ward is closed on Tuesdays, so plan around that.
Seasonal considerations
May to September for the best weather and views. The Mournes are best on clear days at any time of year.
Public transport
This route is designed as a drive. The Strangford to Portaferry ferry is the key crossing and runs subject to weather.
Road conditions, tolls or permits
Many Down roads are narrow with hedges and bends. The Strangford to Portaferry ferry is weather dependent.
Safety
Wear proper footwear for the harder Mourne trails, as the mountains are remote and wind-swept. Check which Silent Valley trails are open before you set off.
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Useful answers
County Down Coast Road Trip FAQs
How long is the County Down road trip?
The route is about 110 miles, which is a rough estimate. We suggest three days, starting in Newcastle and finishing in Newtownards, so you have time to stop, walk and visit Mount Stewart and Castle Ward.
When is the best time to do it?
May to September gives the best weather and views, but the Mournes are best on clear days at any time of year.
How much does Silent Valley cost?
Silent Valley car park was £5 per car, paid at the Head Road gates, with an annual pass at £20 a car (NI Water, page updated August 2023, so it may have changed). Motorcycles were £2.50 and walkers or cyclists £1.60.
Do I need to book the Strangford to Portaferry ferry?
We could not confirm the booking rules or the fare, so check before you travel. The crossing is weather dependent and saves a long drive around the lough.
Which days are Castle Ward and Mount Stewart open?
Castle Ward is closed on Tuesdays, so build the day around that. Check National Trust opening times for both places before you set off. National Trust members get in free.
Is there EV charging on the route?
We did not find EV charging information, so charge in Newcastle, Downpatrick or Newtownards before heading out.
Is Slieve Donard free to climb?
Slieve Donard from Donard Park is a free mountain walk. We have not verified whether the car park charges, and it is a harder, exposed route, so wear proper footwear.
What should I know before setting off?
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
When should I walk it?
This detail has not yet been verified for this route. Check the official visitor information before setting off.
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