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Tollymore Forest Park sits at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, and covers around 1,600 acres. It is known for its landscapes, its wildlife and its history, and it is one of the most popular walking spots in Northern Ireland.
The park has waterfalls, caves and trees that have stood for over 300 years.
The land formed part of the Tollymore estate for centuries, associated with the Hamilton family, Earls of Clanbrassil, and later passing through the Roden family. It was acquired by the Ministry of Agriculture and became Northern Ireland's first state forest park in 1955.
There are archaeological features scattered through the park, including standing stones and cairns. The paths wind through woodland along the Shimna River, with views out to the mountains as you climb.
The Bryansford Meadow Trail is the easy one, straight from the main car park and good with children. The Drinns Trail mixes forest and riverside. The Mountain Trail takes you up onto the lower slopes of the Mournes and asks a bit more of you.
Parking charges apply at the main car park, and rates are set by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council — worth checking their site for current prices before you travel, as these change. There is no time limit once you are in.
Walking and hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, and simply sitting by the river. The park suits everyone from families with buggies to people heading up into the mountains proper.
Game of Thrones fans will recognise it. Tollymore featured in the first episode as the land south of the Wall, including the Wildling pit and the woodland near Winterfell. The scenes where the Night's Watch scouts encounter the White Walkers, and where the Stark children find the direwolf pups, were filmed here.
It is also a well-regarded spot for night photography, with genuinely dark skies once you are away from Newcastle.
The Brambles Retreat is around twenty minutes from Tollymore, near Annalong. Eight en suite bedrooms sleeping sixteen, hired as a whole property, with a fully equipped kitchen, private bar, two hot tubs and a garden with the mountains behind it.
From £700 per night midweek for the whole house, £44 per person at sixteen. Dog friendly, with a secure garden, which suits anyone planning a walking weekend.
