Montalto Estate is the headline act — a grand estate with its own play trail to explore. There are also animal farms, two distilleries, and free historic sites to round things out.
Kinedale Donkeys and Mourne Alpacas are firm family favourites. Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House is always a hit with younger kids. Free options include Slieve Croob Stargazing Site, Legananny Dolmen, and Inch Abbey — the Game of Thrones filming location.
The best days out near Ballynahinch
COLOURS Paint Your Own Pottery
Montalto Estate
Spa Golf Club
Global Adventure Play
Kinedale Donkeys
Montalto Estate Play Trail
Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes — Alpaca Trekking
Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes
Drumaness Airsoft
Rowallane Garden
Hinch Distillery
Rademon Estate Distillery
Millbank Farm Shop
Glebe Farm Shop
Larchfield Estate
Crossgar Golf Club
McGraths Farm Shop Ltd
Rockmount Golf Club
Rockmount Golf Club driving range
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House
Stonebridge Cottage Farm
Mourne Alpacas
Ashvale Farm Shop & Tea Room
Lyons Karting
Dobbies Soft Play (Lisburn)
Slieve Croob Stargazing Site
Legananny Dolmen
Springmount Farm
Carryduff Shopping Centre
Into the Woods
Tullymurray Equestrian Centre
Fodder in the Woods
Klondyke Garden Centre Carryduff
Inch Abbey (Game of Thrones)
Mount Pleasant Equestrian Centre
Pheasants Hill Farm
Hillsborough Forest Play Park
Let's Go Hydro
Let's Go Hydro Adventure Island
Hillsborough Lake (PAE)
Byrne Nurseries
Quoile Castle
Down County Museum
Down Cathedral
Quoile Pondage National Nature Reserve
The Saint Patrick Centre
Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Hillsborough Forest & Lake
What's on near Ballynahinch
- 1JulPond dippingCastle Espie
- 3JulVision — Comber LibraryComber Library
- 4JulDragonfly crafts with Boom StudiosCastle Espie
- 5JulCourtyard sessionsCastle Espie
- 7JulArt Exhibition by Jane McCaughey — Saintfield LibrarySaintfield Library
- 1AugThe Idiot Sandwich Returns! — Castlewellan LibraryCastlewellan Library
Days out in Ballynahinch — your questions
What are the best days out in Ballynahinch?
Start with Montalto Estate — it's the headline act, with grand grounds and its own play trail. Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House is another standout. Kinedale Donkeys is a big hit with families. For something grown-up, Hinch Distillery and Rowallane Garden both make excellent half-day visits.
What free things are there to do in Ballynahinch?
There are 13 free options within ten miles. Slieve Croob Stargazing Site is great for clear nights. Legananny Dolmen and Inch Abbey — the Game of Thrones filming location — are both free to walk around. Hillsborough Forest & Lake and Hillsborough Forest Play Park make a great free afternoon out.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Ballynahinch?
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House has an indoor butterfly house that works in any weather. For soft play, Jumping Jacks Lisburn, Monkeez@TheMill, and Tumbles Soft Play are all within easy reach. Airtastic Entertainment Centre Lisburn is another solid indoor option for families on a wet afternoon.
What's good for young children near Ballynahinch?
Kinedale Donkeys, Mourne Alpacas, and Mountpanther Farm Park are all brilliant for little ones — close-up animal encounters are always a winner. Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes — Alpaca Trekking is a memorable outing too. Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House wows younger kids, and Hillsborough Forest Play Park is free.