Days out Northern Ireland spring and summer 2017 Registered charity number 205846 Welcome All your favourite places Welcome to a new year of exploring with the National Trust Mid Ulster 5 and hundreds of days out with fun things to see and do Around Belfast 6 for all the family. Enjoy walks to take in the views, amazing Antrim and North Coast 7–8 9 objects in our collections, treats in the tea-room and County Fermanagh County Down 10–11 special events for all tastes and interests. 50 things to do 12 What’s on 13–30 Information Who we are and what we do 31 The National Trust is an Volunteer and make a difference 31 independent conservation Time to get away 32 charity funded through Contact details 34 Places to visit — Map 35 memberships, donations, legacies and commercial operations. Join in and With the help of our members, Mussenden Temple, Downhill Demesne enjoy more supporters and volunteers we look after some of the We look after gardens and woodlands, historic houses and acre upon acre of wild country’s most beautiful National Trust members countryside, mountains and coastline. So places, including historic whether you’re in the mood for an afternoon During normal opening hours ramble with the dog, a hiking adventure with houses and collections, friends or a gentle stroll through a beautiful members are entitled to free Florence Court countryside and coastline. entry. Additional charges for some home before indulging in tea and cake in one of our tea-rooms, there’s always a special events may also apply to members Further information place to explore. Become a member and help to help raise essential funds for Details of events are correct at the time of printing. It’s time to stretch your legs, and your protect Northern Ireland’s the restoration and upkeep of the Please note that the information provided in this imagination, and go exploring. special place you are visiting. guide may change without notice. Please check event natural and built heritage details before travelling by contacting the relevant while enjoying access place or visiting our website nationaltrust.org.uk/ni Glorious gardens to extraordinary places, Follow us on-line in 2017 experiences and activities. nationaltrust.org.uk/ni facebook.com/nationaltrustNI Some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful private gardens are open to visitors under the Join today at your @nationaltrustNI Ulster Gardens Scheme. An exciting mixture @nationaltrustNI of town and country gardens of different sizes favourite place or online and styles of planting are lined up for visitors to enjoy this summer season. Alternative formats at nationaltrust.org.uk For details of open gardens and gardens by Telephone 028 9751 0721 or email appointment visit ulstergardensscheme.org.uk [email protected] or to request a leaflet, contact 028 9751 0721. Registered charity number 205846 2 Mount Stewart 3 All your favourite places Mid Ulster With many miles of beautiful coastline, huge Ardress House stretches of countryside, panoramic views, This 17th-century farmhouse, elegantly historic houses and glorious gardens in our care, remodelled in Georgian times, offers fun we have a wealth of treasures for all to enjoy. and relaxation for all the family. The cobbled farmyard with a dairy, smithy and threshing barn is the perfect spot to feed the resident chickens, while the nearby apple orchards are great for exploring. Children will enjoy visiting the small farmyard animals, having a go on the ride-on tractors and dressing-up. The Argory Surrounded by a wooded riverside estate, Springhill the interior of this Irish gentry house still evokes the eclectic tastes and interests of the MacGeough Bond family. The rose garden, Springhill with its unusual sundial, pleasure gardens This 17th-century plantation house, home of the and walks along the River Blackwater are Lenox-Conyngham family, is brought to life on ideal for exploring. There’s also fun for kids guided tours. Discover the celebrated costume on the indoor bug trail and the zipline in the collection in the old laundry and kids ‘dressing up’ children’s play area. in the Costume Closet. Explore the walled garden Florence Court and way marked trails, with views of Slieve Gallion and the Sperrins, and enjoy the natural play area. Whether you’re looking for active ways to spend your Wellbrook Beetling Mill leisure time, somewhere to explore with the children Step back in time and discover how yarn or inspirational days out with family and friends — was spun at Northern Ireland’s last working there’s always a special place to explore. water-powered linen beetling mill. Hands-on demonstrations reveal the importance of the linen industry in 19th-century Ireland. The glen Leave every day stresses behind and enjoy all the time is ideal for relaxing walks and perfect for a in the world with us. There really is something to see, picnic by the Ballinderry River. do and enjoy at all our places, every day of the year. Derrymore House When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the Resting peacefully in a landscape demesne, this National Trust, your support helps us to look after The Argory 18th-century thatched cottage is rich in history special places for ever, for everyone. and a great place for walks. Thank you Gray’s Printing Press The indelible story of printing is told behind this Georgian shop front in Strabane, once reputed for your part as Ireland’s printing capital. in keeping For more information on our places places to visit, check out our website nationaltrust.org.uk/ni special. Wellbrook Beetling Mill 4 Ardress House or follow us online. 5 Divis and the Black Mountain Antrim and North Coast Minnowburn In Northern Nestled in the heart of Lagan Valley Regional Park, this is a place to stroll, sit and play in. Ireland 3 out There are riverside, meadow and woodland walks, rich in of 4 places wildlife, to explore. Wander along the Giant’s Ring trail and for fantastic views trace cannot fund Around Belfast the stream along the banks of the River Lagan on the their own Terrace Hill trail. conservation. Divis and the Black Mountain Sitting in the heart of the Belfast Hills, this 2,000-acre mosaic of upland heath Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and blanket bog is a great place for a wild Carrick-a-Rede countryside experience. There are four walking trails to explore, affording panoramic Connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House views across Belfast and a wealth of flora, across the Atlantic Ocean, this rocky fauna and archaeological remains to discover. island is the ultimate clifftop experience. The sheltered gardens, Mussenden Temple and The bridge was traditionally erected by striking mansion ruins bear testament to the salmon fishermen and if you are bold eccentricity of the Earl Bishop who once made this Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny enough to make the crossing you will 18th-century demesne his home. With views over be rewarded with unique geology and long white beaches and the mountains of Donegal For views across Belfast and beyond, follow wildlife. On a clear day enjoy views across it is a wonderful place for a refreshing walk or fun the tumbling stream through the wooded the seas of Moyle to Rathlin Island and the in the children’s adventure play area. Nearby at glen and rolling farmland to a rath on the Scottish islands. Hezlett House, life in a rural 17th-century cottage summit of the Castlereagh Hills. Discover the is told through the people who once lived there. Second World War memorial commemorating US servicemen who died in Northern Ireland Giant’s Causeway and enjoy the natural play area. Minnowburn The famous basalt columns at our iconic World Heritage Site, left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, are home Patterson’s Spade Mill to a wealth of local history and legend. Follow in the footsteps of giants along the Travel back in time and witness history literally windswept walking trails to discover flora forged in steel at the last working water-driven and fauna of international importance as spade mill in daily use in the British Isles. well as fantastic bird watching. Indoors, the Dig up the history and culture of the humble interactive exhibition in the Visitor Centre spade and visit a bygone life fashioning steel unlocks the secrets of the landscape. into spades during the industrial era. Belmont Tower For more than 100 years this prominent Gothic-style late-Victorian building buzzed to the sound of children playing and learning in its former life as Belmont Primary School. Today this inspirational space has been restored and adapted to offer classes, conference facilities and tasty treats in the coffee shop. Mussenden Temple, Downhill Demesne 6 Patterson’s Spade Mill Giant’s Causeway 7 Together we can protect Northern Ireland’s natural and built heritage. Castle Coole Cushendun County Fermanagh Cushendun Castle Coole Nestled at the mouth of the River Dun (Brown River) at the foot of Glendun, Cushendun is a charming One of the finest examples of Neo-classical historic village steeped in character and folklore. architecture in Ireland, Castle Coole has an Admire the white Cornish-style houses designed by elegant and restrained exterior, while the Clough Williams-Ellis, explore the grounds of historic interior is brimming with opulence, luxury and Glenmona House and enjoy the circular walking trail. colour. Guided tours also reveal life below the stairs in the servants’ rooms and quarters. The Florence Court Portmuck surrounding rolling parkland, interspersed with Portmuck and Skernaghan Point mature oaks, woodlands and paths, is perfect for refreshing walks and fun in the outdoor play area.