Castle Ward
County Down, Northern Ireland
Photo: Irishdeltaforce, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Irishdeltaforce, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Gothic/Palladian mansion; estate tower house was Winterfell
Pinpoint
Strangford, Downpatrick BT30 7BA
Telephone 028 4488 1204
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 31 August - 20 December | Garden - Daily 10:00 - 16:00 |
During the summer months Castle Ward House is open for self guided, free flow access. Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Blue badge parking is available; note the property cannot be reached via the Audleystown road.
- Access
- Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and sensory backpacks are available on site to help with a visit.
- Facilities
- On-site facilities include a second-hand bookshop, gift shop, tea-room and toilets.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome in the wider estate and in the dog-friendly tea-room.
Castle Ward is a Georgian mansion built in two clashing architectural styles - Gothic on one side, Classical on the other, reportedly because the couple who built it couldn't agree - set in a National Trust estate on Strangford Lough. Its tower house also stood in for Winterfell in Game of Thrones, and the grounds, laundry, and barns are worth wandering even on days the house itself is closed.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The lake views from the house and the sunken garden - reviewers call both a highlight independent of the Winterfell connection.
Before you go
Parking is limited, so arrive earlier rather than later, and check ahead if the house itself is important to you - it isn't always open, though the grounds and outbuildings usually are regardless.
What visitors say
Castle Ward reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 2,977 Google reviews
Visitors consistently praise Castle Ward as a large, family-friendly estate with extensive grounds, gardens and walking trails, and several mention its Game of Thrones 'Winterfell' filming location as a fun draw for fans.
Staff are repeatedly described as friendly, and the dog-friendly cafe and sunken garden are called out as favourites, though one reviewer felt the cafe prices were on the steep side.
“Really enjoyed our trip to Castleward beautiful setting near Strangford lovely walks suitable for families and children. Only downside is the prices in the cafe I felt were very steep £4.55 for one sausage roll.”- Kathryn Telford, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
Wheelchairs, a powered mobility vehicle and mobility scooters are available, along with sensory backpacks. Accessible toilet and an accessible route and map are provided, with areas of level access alongside steps and uneven terrain. Specific access requirements are handled by phone or email in advance, and a full access statement is published on AccessAble.
Taken from National Trust’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Bernard Ward · early 1760s
Built in the early 1760s for Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor, this 18th-century mansion famously displays dual architectural styles-Classical on one entrance, Gothic on the other, reflecting the conflicting tastes of the builders. The property includes an earlier defensive tower house from 1610. It was given to the National Trust in 1952 after being held by the Ward family for centuries.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Visit 27/12/2025 to National Trust Castle Ward using family membership, limited parking spots but were available when arrived late morning.” - Wasim Mir
- How long to allow
- “Visited for the down triathlon and spent the full day.” - Ciara Maskey
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Only downside is the prices in the cafe I felt were very steep £4.55 for one sausage roll.” - Kathryn Telford
- Facilities
- “A great place to start is the cafe, followed by the laundry room, then onto the stables room for a photo opportunity themed on Christmas.” - Wasim Mir
Common questions about Castle Ward
Where is Castle Ward?
Castle Ward is in County Down, Northern Ireland, at Strangford, Downpatrick BT30 7BA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Castle Ward?
Yes - Castle Ward is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Castle Ward?
Yes - Castle Ward offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Castle Ward?
The lake views from the house and the sunken garden - reviewers call both a highlight independent of the Winterfell connection.
Is Castle Ward a ruin or still intact?
Castle Ward is largely intact - Gothic/Palladian mansion; estate tower house was Winterfell.
