visit newcastle northern ireland

Reasons To Visit Newcastle, County Down This Summer

• By intrepidtraveller
• June 27, 2018
• Category: Northern Ireland

Newcastle is a small seaside town at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down. One of the nicest seaside towns in Northern Ireland , it is known for its bustling streets and beautiful scenic views. The town is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for adventure as there is plenty of activities on offer. Whether you’re looking a weekend away or even just a day trip, you’ll be sure to find plenty to do. Here are my suggestions on things to do in Newcastle, great reasons to visit this summer!

Planning a trip to Belfast? This post about great weekend activities should help.

Unique Things To Do in Newcastle 

Hike the mourne mountains.

This impressive mountain range includes the highest mountains in Northern Ireland. Although you don’t have to travel to the top to enjoy the stunning scenery and spectacular coastal views, it is in my opinion worth taking the time to climb Slieve Donard .

This mountain provides a variety of incredible sights from Belfast Lough to the Isle of Man. Standing at 2,790 feet, the Slieve Donard is the north’s highest summit, it is a great hike and you’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment once you’ve reached the top! Hiking to the summit is one of the most unique things to do in Newcastle and a great day out!

Visit Murlough Beach

Situated about 5km from Newcastle, it is essential to visit Murlough Beach during your trip. There is a number of activities to do here such as surfing or having a picnic, but my favourite thing to do is simply walk around it and embrace the natural beauty. In the summer months, especially when the weather is good, the beach will be filled with visitors. If you take a trip during the winter however you will find it’s much quieter, making it the perfect place to relax and free your mind.

Murlough Beach Cottage Café can be found at the northern end of the reserves car park. It’s the ideal place to have a light meal and hot drink after a walk around the picturesque beach. It’s worth a visit for their coffee alone. The café offers a homely vibe and although the menu is limited the traybakes make a perfect pairing with a cuppa. Keep in mind that the café only opens on weekends during the winter so if you take a trip on a weekday bring a spot of lunch with you!

Kent Amusements

Kent Amusements was founded over 60 years ago and is one of the biggest amusements in the country. With over 150 machines it remains a hotspot for visitors eager to play the 2p pushers or build up tickets to use at the prize desk. It is the go-to place for both kids and big kids with plenty to do for all. It’s easy to lose track of time and reality when at Kent Amusements but you’re guaranteed to love it!

View this post on Instagram We were absolutely delighted to welcome Cathy and Paul to Kent today for some wedding photos on the dodgems and in the arcade! It was a delight to have you with us and on behalf of us all we wish you both many years of happiness! Have a beautiful day! @kentamusementsnewcastle #wedding #weddingphoto #dodgems #kentamusements A post shared by Kent Amusements (@kentamusementsnewcastle) on Mar 29, 2018 at 9:22am PDT

Dundrum Castle

There’s no arguing that Dundrum castle is worth a visit, even though all that remains is the ruins. Built at the start of the 13 th century its easy to imagine how magnificent it could have been. Admission is free and there’s an information booth, so you can go and find out a little bit of the history of the castle. Bring some snacks, sit at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the beauty of the fields that surround it.

After your trip to Dundrum Castle why not visit the Bucks Head ? This cosy little Inn is the perfect place to stop off for a coffee and bite to eat after a busy day. Staff at the Bucks Head are polite and the service is great, its so good that even the famous Ed Sheeran has stopped by. The menu offers a variety of meals made with local produce. If you like seafood I recommend the Chowder, it’s magnificent. For those with a sweet tooth, try any one of their delicious desserts – you won’t be disappointed. If you can, sit in a booth by the fire and enjoy a glass of wine for that perfect dining experience.

Cafes and Restaurants in Newcastle

Indulge in a sweet treat at Nugelato

This popular ice cream boutique has proven to be a favourite amongst locals and tourists. It offers a vast range of desserts including the mouth-watering, food coma inducing ‘nuggy pots’. These little pots of heaven are good enough to have people queuing out the door for one! But I promise the wait is worth it. Grab one and take a walk along Newcastle beach, it’s a great way to unwind after a fun-filled day.

Have a meal and a pint in Quinn’s

Here are three reasons why you should pop into Quinn’s Bar – the staff are friendly; the food is delicious, and the alcohol is reasonably priced. If you’re staying in Newcastle for a few days, then I recommend an evening at Quinn’s. If you are just there for the day then pop in and end your trip with a bite to eat and a cold drink.

Italian at  Villa Vinci

If you enjoy Italian food as much as I do, then you will love Villa Vinci. If you’re a fan of seafood I recommend indulging in their steamed garlic mussels before ordering the wonderfully creamy carbonara. Fancy something different? The menu offers a range of options, you’ll not struggle to find something.

View this post on Instagram Look at the size of that #pizza 😱😱😱😱😱 #bbg #sweatwithkayla #bbgfood #SWEAT A post shared by Moonbeam Catcher (@m00nbeamcatcher) on Jul 25, 2017 at 9:42am PDT

Where to stay in Newcastle

Burrendale Hotel and Country Club

The Burrendale is one of the best hotels to stay at in Northern Ireland for a variety of reasons. Situated just outside of Newcastle town, the hotel is close to the Mourne’s scenic route, giving you a gorgeous view of the mountains from certain rooms. As it’s a four-star hotel you would expect it to be pricey, however they constantly have deals on offering you a reasonably priced stay. Their spa is a great place to relax after an activity fuelled day. Soak in the hot tub or go for a swim in the pool before you get ready for a delicious evening meal followed by live entertainment. I’ve stayed here a number of times never having had a bad experience and I don’t doubt I’ll be back again!

View this post on Instagram Afternoon Tea with us is a must! 🍰🥪🍵 #afternoontea #burrendalehotel #booknow #treats A post shared by The Burrendale Hotel (@burrendalehotel) on Jun 14, 2018 at 2:16pm PDT

View this post on Instagram #goodtime #relaxtime #swimmingpool #jacuzzi #greatday #holiday #burrendalehotel #newcastle 👌😌❤🏊🛀😎🌴 A post shared by Julia Sławecka (@julia.slawecka) on Jul 21, 2015 at 2:34pm PDT

Have you visited this beautiful town?? If there are some unique things to do in Newcastle that we’ve missed, please leave a comment and we can update our post!

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About The Author

Intrepidtraveller.

Blogging my way around the world. Come follow my adventures, who know’s where we’ll end up.

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• 1.1 Visitor information
• 2.2 By road
• 3 Get around

Newcastle is a seaside resort in County Down in Northern Ireland. The "new castle" was probably already tumbledown when first documented in 1433 and even its successors are long gone. Newcastle is best known nowadays as the home of Royal County Down Golf Club, and for its beach and wildlife reserve. It had a population of 8,300 in 2021 and has lots of visitor amenities, so it's a good base for exploring the Mourne Mountains , which rise to the south.

Visitor information

• Visitor Information Centre , 10-14 Central Promenade , ☏ +44 33 0137 4046 . Daily 9:30AM-5PM . ( updated Apr 2024 )

See Belfast#Get in for long-distance routes by air or sea.

Ulsterbus 520 runs from Belfast Europa station via Carryduff, Ballynahinch, Dundrum and Castlewellan to Newcastle, taking 1 hr 20 min. They run M-F every 30-60 min, and Sa Su every couple of hours.

Goldline Express 240 runs from Newry to Castlewellan, Newcastle, Dundrum and Downpatrick , with five M-F and three Saturday and Sunday. Buses and trains from Dublin stop at Newry on their way to Belfast, but unless you're lucky with the connection to Bus 240, you usually have to continue into Belfast then backtrack on Bus 520.

Bus 26 trundles cross-country from Lisburn via Hillsborough, Ballynahinch and Dundrum to Newcastle, taking 1 hr 15 min. There are only three buses M-F and none at weekends.

Bus 37 runs every couple of hours between Newcastle and Kilkeel. An hourly bus runs from Newry to Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Kilkeel (1 hour) so it's possible to circle the mountains, but the Mourne Rambler Bus no longer runs.

Newcastle 54.215 -5.888 1 bus station is at the north end of Main street.

From Belfast head south on A24 through Carryduff, Ballynahinch and Clough, where the road is re-badged as A2.

From Dublin take M1 to Newry then B8 (signs for Hilltown). Follow A25 to Castlewellan then A50 into Newcastle.

The town gets congested on fine summer weekends. There are car parks behind the main street.

The town straggles but is walkable. You need wheels to reach the surrounding attractions.

National Cycleway 99 runs from Bangor down the Ards Peninsula to Portaferry, Strangford, Downpatrick and Newcastle. It's all on-road. From Belfast follow the traffic-free Comber cycleway, then hug the west bank of Strangford Lough to Downpatrick then by road to Newcastle.

• 54.197 -5.8855 1 The Harbour is a mile south of town centre along the Promenade. It was used to ship out granite quarried from the Mourne Mountains, with blocks of stone brought down by a funicular railway. This is now the "Granite Trail", a steep walking path to a viewpoint.
• Newcastle Beach stretches 3 miles north from town to Murlough Nature Reserve and the Dundrum River estuary. Usually clean, dogs permitted. There's lots of sand when the tide is down but at high tide only the pebbles remain. In 1910 one of Ireland's first powered aircraft wobbled low over the length of the beach.
• Slidderyford Dolmen is a neolithic portal tomb along the main road quarter of a mile north of the Murlough car park.
• 54.257 -5.874 3 Dundrum Castle is the substantial ruin of a Norman castle, dismantled under Cromwell. It's free to explore any time.
• 54.265 -5.953 4 Castlewellan Arboretum , 5 miles north of Newcastle, is an extensive arboretum and forest park around a small lake. The castle itself, a Scottish Baronial pile, is nowadays a Christian conference centre and can't be visited.
• 54.323 -6.02 5 Legananny Dolmen is an impressive 5000-year-old tripod dolmen or cromlech. It's on a hillside with good views but takes some finding, 3 miles north of Castlewellan. Follow Slievenaboley Rd then Legananny Hall Rd.
• Finnis Souterrain a mile north of the dolmen is a 100-foot underground passage from the 9th century. It doesn't appear to have been used for burials or religious rituals so maybe it was just a hideout. The entrance was created in the 19th century as the original entrance has been lost.
• Ardglass: see Downpatrick for this fishing village ringed by medieval turrets.
• 54.108 -5.901 6 Annalong is a fishing village 8 miles south. The Cornmill was built in the 19th century and is now a museum. There's pubs and restaurants here. A lane leads inland to the start of Silent Valley.
• See Newry for Kilkeel, Rostrevor and Warrenpoint further south along on the coast.

• Tropicana is a heated outdoor pool midway along the Promenade, and the Rock Pool south end of the Prom is sea water as chilly as you like. Both pools were closed during 2021 and it's not known if they will ever re-open — the Council intends to build a leisure centre over the site.
• 54.2171 -5.8852 1 Royal County Down Golf Club , Golf Links Road BT33 0AN , ☏ +44 28 4372 3314 , fax : +44 28 4372 6281 , [email protected] . Laid out in 1889 by Old Tom Morris, it has two 18-hole courses: the Championship and the Annesley Links. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Mountain biking: You may cycle in the forest park of Castlewellan (but not in Tollymore) and in the Mourne Mountains.
• 54.234 -5.914 2 Mourne Trail Riding Centre on Castlewellan Rd have escorted rides and pony treks.
• Mourne Mountains : the highest of these rise a few miles south of Newcastle. Good for hikes and for rock-climbing, but in April 2021 the Mournes suffered a wildfire centred on Slieve Donard — that area will be an unpleasant charred mess until new growth takes over.
• Festival of Flight is an air show in mid-June.
• Lidl is on Railway St by the bus station, open M-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 1-6PM.
• Tesco is a quarter mile north on Castlewellan Rd, open M-W 8AM-9PM, Th-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 1-6PM.
• Percy French Inn is within the Slieve Donard Resort, open daily noon-9:30PM.
• Cafe Creme , 139 Main Street BT33 0AE ( by river bridge ), ☏ +44 28 4372 6589 . M-F 8:45AM-5PM, Sa Su 8:45AM-6PM . Great little cafe, often busy. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Others along main drag are Railway Street Cafe, Bao & Bento Asian, Villa Vinci Italian, and Mauds for cake and ice cream. The pubs also serve food.
• The strip continues south along the Promenade. Strand is a cafe / bakery and Ardiente is a bar and grill.
• 54.24144 -5.89923 1 Maghera Inn , 86 Ballyloughlin Rd, Maghera BT31 9HE ( 2 miles north of town ), ☏ +44 28 4372 2236 . Daily noon-9PM . Good food, drink and music in this 200-year-old inn. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.195152 -6.14421 2 Downshire Arms , Main Street, Hilltown BT34 5UH ( 10 miles west of town ), ☏ +44 28 4063 8899 . Good restaurant and pub handy for the west Mournes. They also have rooms. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Quinn's Bar , 62-64 Main Street BT33 0AE , ☏ +44 28 4372 6400 . Daily noon-1AM . Lively place with good drink, food and music. ( updated Oct 2020 )
• Others in town centre are Hugh McCann's , Diamond Pats and The Tap Room. Macken's is south by Harbour House Hotel.
• Brewery: Whitewater Farm makes beer in Castlewellan 5 miles north, and offers tours.
• 54.226 -5.936 1 Camping Tollymore Forest Park , Tollybrannigan Road BT33 0PR ( 2 miles northwest of town ), ☏ +44 28 4372 2428 . Clean well-run camping and caravan site open all year. Pitch £18, hook-up £21 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.209 -6 2 Meelmore Lodge , 52 Trassey Rd, Bryansford BT33 0QB ( a mile above Tollymore ), ☏ +44 28 4372 5949 . Clean, comfy hostel and campsite on the edge of the mountains, with Hare's Gap bistro. Open all year. Camping £10 ppn . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.214 -5.887 3 Hutt Hostel , 30 Downs Rd BT33 0AG , ☏ +44 28 4372 2133 . Friendly, central hostel with 72 beds. Dorm £22 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.226 -5.91 4 The Briers , 39 Middle Tollymore BT33 0JJ ( a mile northwest of town ), ☏ +44 28 4372 4347 . Cosy, welcoming B&B in Georgian country house. B&B double £100 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.2283 -5.8973 5 Burrendale Hotel , 51 Castlewellan Road BT33 0JY ( a mile north of town ), ☏ +44 28 4372 2599 , fax : +44 28 4372 2328 . Good 4-star hotel with 68 bedrooms and spa and conference facilities. B&B double £150 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.2073 -5.8922 6 Avoca Hotel , 93-97 Central Promenade BT33 0HH , ☏ +44 28 437 2253 . Family run 16-bedroom licensed hotel, mostly good reviews but some lapses. B&B double £80 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.21591 -5.88465 7 Slieve Donard Resort and Spa , Downs Road BT33 0AH , ☏ +44 28 4372 1066 , fax : +44 28 4372 4830 . Grand Victorian hotel and spa next to the golf club, pricey but gets good reviews for comfort and dining. B&B double £180 . ( updated Oct 2020 )
• 54.198 -5.887 8 Harbour House , 4 South Promendae BT33 0EX ( a mile south of town ), ☏ +44 28 4372 3445 . Mid-range small hotel with decent bar and restaurant. B&B double £100 . ( updated Oct 2020 )

As of Oct 2020, there is a good mobile and 4G signal with O2 and Vodafone. You should manage a call with EE or Three in town but the countryside around has poor coverage. 5G has not reached this area.

• Downpatrick , supposedly the burial place of St Patrick, has a cathedral and ruined abbey.
• Strangford has a fine mansion and two crumbly castles. A 10-minute ferry ride brings you onto Ards Peninsula.
• The Mountains of Mourne rise south of town.

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Northern Ireland’s County Down: Visiting Newcastle

Newcastle: ‘Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea’

By Kate Skingley

You may be familiar with the famous song by Percy French ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ but most people are less familiar with the place in which the poem was inspired.

Just 30 miles south of Belfast is the beautiful coastal town of Newcastle , where the Irish Sea meets the stunning backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne .

I have visited Newcastle several times, as it is one of my favorite places for a short break, and so I am keen to share with you some of my highlights of this great UK destination.

How to get there

On arrival at Belfast International airport (or Belfast City) you can pick up a hire car for a relatively reasonable price (£10-£20 a day depending on the company and type of car, I generally use Budget). It’s a pretty straightforward route that will take about 45 mins-1 hr.

Where to stay

There are plenty of accommodation choices available in the town, from high-end hotels such as The Slieve Donard – which is known to put up professional golfers during the Walker Cup and the Irish Open, due to its proximity to the Royal County Down Golf Course; to a simple B&B located in the town, or self-catering options with apartments for rent in the seafront Waterroot apartment block.

I have visited Newcastle many times before and have tried a variety of the lodgings; I would advise staying as close to the town as possible to make sure you make the most of your time in Newcastle .

Newcastle is essentially a seaside town, with all the traditional seaside activities you would expect to find; Amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, and a higher than an average number of ice-cream parlors (of which I have sampled more than my fair share).

There is also a beautiful promenade to stroll down and watch the tide roll in and out.

There is a Visitor Information Centre located on Main Street, which provides a great source of information on a range of activities, from mountain biking, kayaking, and an organized trip to the Giants Causeway (approx. 90 miles north of Newcastle).

One of the main reasons people visit Newcastle is for the huge variety of hiking trails and walks that are available. Many of these can be started from the town itself, and information on routes can be obtained from the Visitor Centre.

Newcastle to Murlough Coastal Walk

The routes on offer cater for a range of abilities, whether you are looking for a day-long hike or a shorter, more leisurely stroll. I personally have completed a few of the mountain walks, including reaching the summit of the Slieve Donard mountain (849 meters to the peak), and the Newcastle to Murlough coastal walk.

I think my favorite route, however, is to the summit of Slieve Binnian, which offers incredible views across to the Silent Valley Reservoir.

The Slieve Binnian walk starts from Carrick Little car park, where you can follow the Mourne wall up to the summit. You can either park for free (if you are lucky enough to find a space) or in one of the nearby carparks where a local farmer allows you to park for a small fee. This particular walk can be done in a circular or linear route depending on your preference.

Newcastle’s Silent Valley

The Silent Valley is one of my favorite spots to visit when I am in Newcastle and is well signposted from the town. I suggest following the ‘Mourne scenic route’ which is a spectacle in itself   – it’s best to choose a clear day for this, it’s amazing how the mountains can seemingly disappear when the clouds roll in.

A parking fee of £4 gives you access to the Silent Valley for the whole day. There’s a range of trails to choose from with a circular route of approximately 2.5km and there are spots available within the park for picnics – however, the reservoir itself is the main event!

The views across the reservoir are truly stunning, and the ‘silence’ you experience here is quite humbling.

Where to eat

For a relatively small seaside town, there is a great selection of restaurants in the town, which will cater for a range of budgets and tastes. While I could write a whole article on just this part of Newcastle I have picked out just 3 of my favorite spots.

‘Café Mauds’ is a bit of a Newcastle institution, and on weekends and during school holiday’s people can be seen queuing out of the door. With its enviable position on the seafront with floor to ceiling windows, which beautifully frame the sea and the mountains, it’s a great spot.

The location, however, is not its only draw; it also serves a delicious selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices, as well as a great selection of cakes, tray bakes, and ice-creams!

My favorite spot for dinner is Villa Vinci, an Italian restaurant located at the top of Main Street. If you want to visit on a weekend, then it is advisable to book, as it is popular with the locals and visitors alike.

The popularity enhances its draw as you are always guaranteed a great atmosphere, fantastic service, and a tasty selection of food.

One downside is that I’ve never managed three courses; such are the large portions (although it may be down to the fact that I am likely to have visited Maud’s earlier in the day for a spot of cake or an ice-cream).

There is, of course, a great selection of Pubs in the town too, with Quinn’s being one of my favorites, I think it’s true what they say – Guinness really does taste different in Ireland. Quinn’s also serves lunch and dinner, either in the bar or in the upstairs restaurant.

The city of Newcastle has so much to offer; this is just a small selection of some of my favorite bits. It is perfect for a long weekend but also has enough to be suitable for a longer break too. So what are you waiting for? Get those flights booked and begin your exploration of this beautiful part of County Down.

Visit www.discovernorthernireland.com for more information.

Kate Skingley lives in Milton Keynes, England is a travel enthusiast, and has recently returned from a 7-month round-the-world travel adventure. She loves to research and explore new places and cultures and spends most of her free time planning her next trip. Kate is new to travel writing but is keen to share her travel experiences of some of her favorite spots.

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10 Things to See & Do In Newcastle in Northern Ireland

Newcastle in Northern Ireland is a beautiful coastal town to visit. We love visiting there as a family and there may not be much to do in the means of attractions and such. But there are mountains views, hikes to go on, amusements to enjoy and best of all? Good food!

Throughout this post, I am going to give you my honest advice on where to go and what you can do for fun during your visit to Newcastle.

Places to stay in Newcastle in Northern Ireland

We have stayed in the Greenhill YMCA Accommodation twice now. Once as a gifted experience { which you can find here } and as paying customers. We choose Greenhill because we are a big family and it’s the only place I can find that will accommodate a big family such as ours.

Quinns Bar & Restaurant

We have eaten in a few places in Newcastle and I think we have yet to have a bad experience. The nicest place, by far {so far} that we have eaten is Quinns Bar & Restaurant. It’s on the High Street, on a corner {with an off-license next door} and everything about our experience was lovely.

How they handle covid restrictions, how friendly the staff were and the food was delicious. I highly recommend you eating in Quinns if you’re ever in Newcastle.

Black Box Donuts

This place is a no brainer and must-visit if you’re ever in town! The doughnuts they have available are amazing. They look incredible and they taste incredible too! However, they have a little cabin down the road from their store and they sell cronuts! And oh my days!

A doughnut/croissant combo filled with Mr Whippy ice cream and a topping of your choice! I mean, if that doesn’t scream heaven, I don’t know what does! And they’re reasonably priced too! Around the £3.50 mark – which I thought was great!

Kents Amusements

This is the biggest amusement place in Newcastle and it is really popular. Tickets galore on the majority of rides/games and machines in the place, which kids go mad for! It even has a few VR machines and a dodgems track at the back which is loads of fun.

Castle Park Boating Pond

This area of the town is lots of fun with loads going on for the kids. From a carousel, go-karts and swan boats. The swan boats in particular, with covid restrictions, were amazing.

Each Swan boat is cleaned down after every session. Life jackets are handed out to everyone and sprayed down too after use as well. Great measures in place and the staff were amazing! It cost around £15 for two swan boats {for 7 of us. 2 in one and 4 in the other} .

Visit Newcastle beach

It isn’t huge or anything particularly special, but the views of the Mourne Mountains are breathtaking. It is a beautiful spot to sit, enjoy the sound of the waves {and maybe even a cronut from Black box!} and just take in the sights.

Visit the Funfair

The Funfair is next door to Kent’s amusements and it’s always somewhere we swing by when we are there. Purely because some of the rides are lots of fun and can kill half an hour, easily. It costs £20 for 40 tokens and each ride costs anything between 3 and 5 tokens per person.

Go for a walk in Tollymore Forest

This place is from my childhood memories for sure. And if you are a family who loves the woods, hiking and maybe even a spot of tree climbing, then Tollymore is for you!

Donard Park, Newcastle

Donard Park is a beautiful spot and just down from the Greenhill accommodation mentioned earlier in this post. And also situated just 10 minutes from Newcastle strand. It is a public park next to the Glen River and it forms a boundary around the foot of Slieve Donard. Which is also the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.

Which both football and hockey pitches to enjoy there are also picnic facilities and it is the perfect spot to lay down a blanket, enjoy the sunshine and a burger or two!

Pay a visit to Murlough Beach

Murlough Beach is a short 10 minutes from Alieve Donard Spa or a short 15mins bus ride from the Newcastle Promenade. It is known for its most extensive {and best} sand dune heath in the whole of Ireland. This is a fragile 6000yr old Sand dune system and has a network of paths and boardwalks to allow you to walk around it but still protecting the sand dune structure.

With panoramic views of the beautiful Mourne Mountains, it also gives you access to one of the finest beaches in County Down . A sure fire place to visit and enjoy when visiting Newcastle.

If you ever make it to Newcastle in Northern Ireland or any of the places that I have mentioned above! Do let me know what you think! Or, better still if you visit a place that I haven’t mentioned above, I’d love to know about it!

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Newcastle Beach In County Down: Parking, Swimming + Trails

By Author James March

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2022

Newcastle Beach is one of our favourites in Northern Ireland.  

With the mighty Mourne Mountains looming to the south, you’ll be treated to some amazing scenes as you stroll along this sandy beach.

Below, you’ll find info on everything from swimming and parking to what to do while you’re there. 

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about Newcastle Beach

Photo via Shutterstock

Although a visit to Newcastle Beach in Northern Ireland.  is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Newcastle Beach is located on the shores of the seaside town of Newcastle in south County Down. It’s around a 25-minute drive from the county town Downpatrick and an hour’s drive south from Belfast.

Park Avenue Car Park is your nearest parking area and it’s just a short walk south down the Central Promenade and across the bridge. There’s also Donard Car Park a little further south which is handy if you want a closer look at the mountains (we’ll get to them later in more detail!). 

3. Swimming

There are no lifeguards at Newcastle Beach and, unfortunately, we can’t find any  official  information online about how safe it is/isn’t to swim here, so check locally when you arrive.

4. Gateway to the Mournes

Beaches are (usually) all about relaxing, but it would be remiss of me not to mention the huge mountains that tower over Newcastle! If you’re in the mood for some of the best hiking in Northern Ireland then Newcastle is a great place to set up camp and there are loads of walks in the Mournes to tackle. 

About Newcastle Beach

Photos via Shutterstock

Sitting at the bottom of the Mourne foothills, Newcastle’s sand and pebble beach is about a mile and a half long.

The town itself has been a popular seaside resort since the Victorian era as there’s plenty of things to do in Newcastle , though its shores have also seen some remarkable and tragic events over the years. 

The Newcastle Fishing Disaster occurred off the coast of Newcastle on the 13th of January 1843, an incident in which fourteen boats from Newcastle and Annalong were caught in gale-force winds and ended up sinking, resulting in the loss of 73 lives.

On a more positive note, in 1910 Harry Ferguson flew a small plane across Newcastle Beach in one of the first engine-powered flights by aircraft in Ireland! Obviously, it’s not a good idea to try that sort of thing now…

These days you’ll find people walking, sunbathing or dividing their time between the beach and the pubs and amusement arcades (it is a seaside town after all!).

Things to do at Newcastle Beach

If you’re looking to make a morning out of your visit to Newcastle Beach in Northern Ireland, here are a handful of suggestions for you:

1. Grab a tasty coffee from Maud’s 

You can’t miss the circular riverside entrance of ​​ Café Mauds ! 

But this place isn’t just known for its location, as anyone who’s been there will know. Choose from a great selection of hot drinks and a surprisingly varied menu that offers everything from hearty breakfast classics to zesty Asian street food! 

Their fluffy homemade buttermilk pancakes are perfect for warming you up on a cold winter’s day, while a scoop of famous Maud’s Ice-Cream is a local summer staple. 

2. Then hit the sands for some serious views

When you’ve got your warm cup of coffee, you’ll have a mile and a half of sandy expanse to enjoy.

But whether you walk north to south or south to north, the massive shape of the Mournes will always be there and you’ll get some amazing coastal views, from their gentle foothills up to the distant summit of Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain). 

Kick off your shoes and go for a paddle just the Victorians used to do, and sit back in the sun if the weather’s warm. And when you’re done exploring, there are a bunch of cracking ice cream parlours and fish and chips bars if you need a feed!

Places to visit near Newcastle Beach

One of the beauties of this place is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Co Down .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Newcastle Beach (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Many Mourne Walks (10-minute walk to a 20-minute drive)

The Mourne Mountains offer some of Ireland’s greatest hikes and there are a bunch of different trails to take on. From the underrated Slieve Doan walk to tackling the mighty Slieve Binnian , these mountains are a unique and satisfying challenge. 

2. Tollymore Forest Park (10-minute drive)

A world away from the wind-whipped mountain trails, Tollymore Forest Park is an enchanting world of hanging trees and quiet trails that could easily pass for a Lord of the Rings set! Just a short 10-minute drive from Newcastle and located at the foot of the Mournes, there’s plenty to do in the beautiful 630-hectare forest including camping, horse riding and orienteering.

3. Castlewellan Forest Park (15-minute drive)

Castlewellan Forest is a little more polished and manicured than Tollymore and it’s packed to the brim with activities and beauty. With a mile-long lake, an outstanding tree and shrub collection and a garden featuring terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders, it’s a beautifully peaceful spot to stroll. 

4. Rostrevor (30-minute drive)

With some great places to eat and some lovely views over Carlingford Lough, the drive over to Rostrevor gives you a totally different viewpoint from Newcastle. Still in the shadow of the Mournes, it’s also next door to the excellent Kilbroney Park where there are plenty of trails and vistas to enjoy (especially from the famous Cloughmore Stone !).

Newcastle Beach Northern Ireland FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where to park?’ to ‘Can you swim?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Can you swim in Newcastle Beach?

We can’t find any official information about swimming at Newcastle Beach Northern Ireland, so we’d recommend checking locally when you arrive.

Where’s handiest for parking at Newcastle Beach?

Park Avenue Car Park is the nearest parking area. There’s also Donard Car Park a little further south if you’re stuck. 

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