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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Want to learn more about the National Trust in Northern Ireland? Heritage sites and natural beauty places are great for a day out. Northern Ireland has many excellent National Trust sites in County Antrim, Down, Derry, and Fermanagh. Read on to learn more about where you can experience heritage and nature.
Table of Contents
What is the National Trust?
The National Trust is a charitable organisation that preserves sites of historical significance or natural beauty. It works with conservators of heritage and nature to ensure these sites continue to be held in trust for the public for generations. The sites cared for by the National Trust often have admission fees due to the costs of conserving a site or property. National Trust sites are a great way to spend a day out when visiting Northern Ireland or wanting to see more of the country.
What is Protected by the National Trust in Northern Ireland?
- Ardress House
- Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge
- Castle Coole
- Castle Ward
- Crom
- Derrymore
- Divis & Black Mountain
- Florence Court
- Giants Causeway
- Lisnabreeny & Cregagh Glen
- Minnowburn
- Mount Stewart
- Murlough Nature Reserve
- Mussenden Temple
- Rowallane Garden
- Slieve Donard
- The Argory
- The Crown Bar
Ardress House, Co. Armagh
This stunning 17th-century house is situated amongst apple orchards and well-kept grounds. The neoclassical drawing room inside has beautiful plasterwork that Dublin plasterer Michael Stapleton created. Enjoy lunch at the picnic spot or in the café and tea room.
Admission Fee:
- Adult £7.50
- Child £3.75
- Family £18.75
Location: 64 Annaghmore Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 1SQ
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–5 pm |
Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Co. Antrim
Blow away the cobwebs with a walk across this historic 100-foot-high rope bridge. On the small island it connects to, you will find a fisherman’s cottage built by salmon fishermen over 350 years ago. Rare wildlife and beautiful coastal scenery surround this interesting feature of the North Coast.
Admission Fee:
- £14 per adult
- £7 per child
- £35 per family
Location: 119a Whitepark Rd, Ballintoy, Antrim, Ballycastle BT54 6LS
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 9:30 am–5 pm |
Castle Coole, Co. Fermanagh
Take a long walk towards Lough Coole and enjoy a guided tour from the staff. The main building is the 18th-century home of the Earls of Belmore, offering beautiful scenery and exciting history. It is one of Ireland’s best examples of neo-classical architecture and interiors. It is run by the National Trust in Northern Ireland, which ensures its history is preserved and offers tours.
Admission Fee:
- Adult: £12
- Child: £6
- Family: £30
Grounds Only:
- Adult: £5.50
- Child: £2.75
- Family: £13.75
Location: Castle Coole, Enniskillen BT74 6JY
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–6 pm |
Castle Ward, Co. Down
Castle Ward has a manor house, farmhouse, and grounds with exciting activities and sights. The grounds have 32km of trails that can be explored on foot, horseback, or bike. You can also bring your dog to enjoy the wooded ground. Onsite, you can see a farmhouse, a water-powered sawmill, and a corn mill.
Admission Fee:
- Adult: £13
- Child: £6.50
- Family: £32.50
Location: Strangford, Downpatrick BT30 7BA
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–4 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am– 5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
Crom, Co. Fermanagh
Fantastic woodlands surround Crom, home to wild deer, red squirrels, and other rare species. Enjoy the sprawling grounds and historic buildings, and sail around enjoying the scenery by boat or canoe. The grounds reach over 2,000 acres and are perfect for a picnic or country walk.
Admission Fee:
- Adult: £8
- Child: £4
- Family: £20
Location: Upper Lough Erne Newtownbutler County Fermanagh BT92 8AJ
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–6 pm |
Derrymore, Co. Armagh
This historic thatched cottage is surrounded by picturesque scenery and has a particular part in Northern Ireland’s history. The Act of Union between Britain and Ireland was drafted here, and the Treaty Room is open to visitors. The National Trust in Northern Ireland ensures this historically significant place remains open to visitors.
Admission Fee:
Access to the treaty room:
- Standard £1.81
- Children free
Location: Derrymore House, Bessbrook, Newry BT35 7EF
Divis & Black Mountain, Belfast
It is the perfect place for walkers of any ability, with a range of terrain paths. The peaks of Black Mountain give excellent views of Scotland and across Belfast.
Admission Fee: Free
Location: Divis Road Hannahstown, Belfast BT17 0NG
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8 pm |
Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh
This 18th-century grand house holds a fantastic collection of Irish furniture and Rococo plasterwork that is some of the best in the country. You can even enjoy the grounds by bike, as rentals are available on-site. The yew tree on its grounds is supposedly the parent of all Irish Yews.
Admission Fee:
Gardens & Forest Park Only
- Adult £7.50
- Child £3.75
- Family £18.75
Whole Property
- Adult £13
- Child £6.50
- Family £32.50
Location: Enniskillen, BT92 1DB
Opening Hours: 11 am – 5 pm (Monday – Sunday)
Giants Causeway, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark is a landscape of basalt columns, which legend says was built by a giant called Finn MacCool. Learn more about the legend at the visitor centre before walking through the coastal scenery to reach the iconic columns. The National Trust in Northern Ireland has organised tours and information on the formation of the columns.
Admission Fee:
- Adult £13.50
- Child £6.75
- Family £33.75
Location: 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU
Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Lisnabreeny & Cregagh Glen, Belfast
This beautiful nature trail is a great trek filled with views and sounds of nearby waterfalls.
Admission Fee: Free
Location: A55 Upper Knockbreda Rd, Belfast BT6 9QL
Opening Hours: Dawn – Dusk
Minnowburn, Belfast
This 128-acre area of countryside and woodland in the Northern Irish countryside, preserved by the National Trust in Northern Ireland, includes the Giants Ring, a megalithic tomb in the center of a circular grass mound.
Admission Fee: Free entry
Location: Edenderry Rd, Belfast BT8 8LE
Opening Hours: Dawn – Dusk
Mount Stewart, Co. Down
Admission Fee:
- Adult: £11
- Child: £5.50
- Family: £27.50
Location: Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–4:30 pm |
Murlough Nature Reserve, Co. Down
Admission Fee: Car Parking £5
Location: Dundrum, Newcastle BT33 0NQ
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–7 pm |
Mussenden Temple, Co. Derry
Admission Fee: Parking £7.50
Location: Seacoast Rd, Coleraine BT51 4RH
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
Rowallane Garden, Co. Down
Admission Fee:
- Adult £9.50
- Child £4.75
- Family £23.75
Location: Crossgar Rd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch BT24 7LH
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
Slieve Donard, Co. Down
Admission Fee: Free
Location: Newcastle BT33 0HD
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
The Argory, Co. Armagh
Admission Fee:
- Adult £9.50
- Child £4.75
- Family £23.75
Location: 144 Derrycaw Rd, Dungannon BT71 6NA
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–5 pm |
The Crown Bar, Belfast
This exciting bar in Belfast is a historic gin palace, and its stunning interiors are a real treat. Book ahead to secure a wooden booth to enjoy a pint.
Admission Fee: Free; booking is recommended.
Location: 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 11:30 am–11:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am–11:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30am–12:30 am |
| Thursday | 11:30 am–11:30 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am–12:30 am |
| Saturday | 11:30 am–12:30 am |
| Sunday | 11:30 am–12:30 am |
National Trust in Northern Ireland – Conclusion
The National Trust works to preserve nature and heritage for future generations and make them available for us to enjoy. Why not enjoy these fantastic sights all over Northern Ireland, looking for more Northern Ireland activities? Check out our articles on the Asian restaurants in Belfast, the Traditional Music venues, ukulele jams, and more!
We called one day April 23 to use our pass we had just received, your gate was locked very disappointed , you had a note on gate saying something about the grounds weren’t up to scratch to open.
Hope when we visit today we can drive in and enjoy walk and weather.