Nestled at the foot of the majestic Mourne Mountains in County Down, Tollymore Forest Park stands as Northern Ireland’s crown jewel of outdoor recreation and natural beauty. This remarkable 630-hectare destination holds the distinction of being Northern Ireland’s first state forest park, welcoming visitors since 1955 to explore its unique combination of ancient woodlands, historic architecture, and diverse outdoor activities.
From its famous role as the Haunted Forest in HBO’s Game of Thrones to its 16 historic bridges spanning the crystal-clear Shimna River, Tollymore offers an extraordinary blend of natural wonder and cultural heritage. Whether you’re an experienced outdoor enthusiast seeking challenging mountain trails or a family looking for accessible woodland walks and camping facilities, this exceptional forest park delivers unforgettable experiences throughout the year.
Overview of Tollymore Forest Park
Tollymore Forest Park spans an impressive 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. Established in 1955 as Northern Ireland’s first state forest park, this remarkable destination has been expertly managed by the Forest Service since 1941, when the Ministry of Agriculture acquired the historic estate from its various owners.
Located just a five minute drive from the popular seaside town of Newcastle, the park offers visitors panoramic views of both the surrounding mountains and the Irish Sea beyond. The estate’s centerpiece, the Shimna River, flows gracefully through the park center, creating a natural corridor that connects the mountain landscape to the coast. This pristine waterway is crossed by 16 historic bridges, with the oldest dating back to 1726, each telling its own story of the estate’s rich heritage.
The park’s global recognition extends beyond its natural beauty, having served as a popular filming location for HBO’s acclaimed Game of Thrones series. In the show, Tollymore’s atmospheric woodlands and ancient paths represented the mysterious Haunted Forest, where viewers first encountered the supernatural threats beyond the Wall. This connection has transformed the forest park into a pilgrimage site for fans from around the world, adding a modern cultural layer to its centuries-old story.
As part of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tollymore provides direct access to some of Ireland’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The park serves as a gateway to the wider Mourne Mountains region, offering everything from gentle riverside strolls to challenging mountain trail expeditions that reward hikers with breathtaking coastal and mountain vistas. If you’re interested in exploring more of Northern Ireland, consider visiting Coleraine, a charming town in County Londonderry known for its rich history and scenic riverside location.
Location and Access
Strategically positioned in Bryansford, County Down, Tollymore Forest Park offers exceptional accessibility while maintaining its sense of wilderness and tranquility. The park sits just a five minute drive from Newcastle, one of Northern Ireland’s most beloved seaside destinations, making it perfectly positioned for visitors exploring the broader Mourne area.
From Belfast and Northern Areas: Take the A24 south through Ballynahinch to Clough Village, then follow the A2 Newcastle Road. The route is clearly signposted past the historic village of Dundrum, with its impressive Norman castle overlooking Dundrum Bay. This scenic drive takes approximately 45 minutes from Belfast city center and offers spectacular views of the coast and surrounding mountains, and is a great starting point for exploring charming coastal towns like Ballycastle.
From Newcastle: Follow the clearly marked signs from the Central Promenade towards Bryansford Village. The park entrance is prominently signposted on the left side of the road, approximately 2 miles from Newcastle town center. This route passes through charming County Down countryside and provides the first glimpses of the Mourne Mountains rising majestically ahead.
Regional Connections: As part of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tollymore offers direct access to Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. The park connects seamlessly to both the Ulster Way and Mourne Way long-distance walking routes, making it an ideal base for extended hiking adventures. These trail networks link Tollymore to other significant destinations throughout the region, including Silent Valley Reservoir and the picturesque villages of the Mournes.
The park’s location provides the perfect balance of accessibility and natural immersion, allowing visitors to quickly transition from coastal towns to mountain wilderness while enjoying excellent transport links throughout County Down.
Natural Features and Wildlife
The natural landscape of Tollymore Forest Park represents one of Ireland’s most diverse and scientifically significant ecosystems, combining native Irish woodlands with exotic species introduced over centuries of careful cultivation.
The Shimna River
The Shimna River serves as the park’s lifeblood, flowing from its source high in the Mourne Mountains through the forest center before continuing its journey to Newcastle and the sea. This pristine waterway features a rocky riverbed lined with tree-shaded banks that create perfect habitat conditions for an impressive variety of wildlife.
The river supports healthy populations of dippers and kingfishers, while otters frequently patrol its banks in search of the abundant fish populations. As a designated Area of Special Scientific Interest, the Shimna River functions as a crucial salmon and trout spawning ground, with fish migrating upstream each year to reproduce in the clean, oxygen-rich waters.
The river’s central role extends beyond wildlife habitat, creating the scenic backbone that connects the mountain landscape to the coastal environment. Its gentle sounds provide a constant natural soundtrack throughout the park, while the crystal-clear waters reflect the changing seasons in the overhanging canopy.
Flora and Fauna
Tollymore houses Ireland’s oldest arboretum, established in 1752, featuring an extraordinary collection of exotic trees species that thrive in the park’s unique microclimate. Among the most spectacular specimens are the magnificent Himalayan cedars (Cedrus deodara) that form the famous Cedar Avenue at the Barbican Gate entrance, creating a natural cathedral of towering branches.
The park’s tree collection includes giant redwoods that dwarf visitors walking beneath their massive trunks, along with distinctive Monterey pines and the remarkable slow growing spruce, Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana’. This particular specimen represents Ireland’s oldest tree in any arboretum, with its original tree dating back to around 1750 when it first grew near the park.
The diverse woodland ecosystem supports a thriving wildlife community, including red squirrels, fallow deer, and the increasingly rare pine martens. Bird enthusiasts can observe dozens of species throughout the year, from woodland specialists to river birds and seasonal migrants. However, conservationists monitor ongoing challenges, including a squirrel pox outbreak that has affected the red squirrel population, highlighting the importance of careful ecosystem management.
The forest understory features native ferns, wildflowers, and specialized plant communities adapted to the varying light conditions created by the mixed canopy. Exotic trees like monkey puzzle and eucalyptus trees add year-round visual interest and demonstrate the remarkable adaptability of non-native species to Irish growing conditions.
Historic Buildings and Landmarks
Tollymore’s architectural heritage spans over 250 years of careful development, representing one of Ireland’s finest examples of estate design and landscape architecture from the Georgian and Victorian periods.
Historic Bridges
The park’s collection of 16 bridges represents an exceptional outdoor museum of historic engineering and stonework, with each structure telling unique stories of the families who built them. The Old Bridge, constructed in 1726, holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving bridge in the park and stands as testament to the enduring quality of traditional stone masonry techniques.
Ivy Bridge, completed in 1780, showcases distinctive architectural features that blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, while the 1787 Foley’s Bridge demonstrates the evolution of design aesthetics during the late 18th century. Parnell’s Bridge, built in 1842, represents the Victorian era’s approach to combining functionality with decorative elements.
Many of these bridges were constructed by estate owners as memorial tributes, honoring relatives and friends through permanent stone monuments that serve practical purposes. The Mourne Heritage Trust has undertaken careful restoration work on several bridges, preserving these fine examples of historic stonemasonry for future generations while maintaining their structural integrity for continued use by park visitors.
Each bridge crossing offers unique perspectives of the Shimna River and surrounding woodland, creating natural stopping points for photography and contemplation during walks along the river path.
Estate Buildings and Follies
The Hermitage stands as one of Tollymore’s most intriguing structures, measuring 12 by 8 feet and constructed from local stone with carefully designed openings that frame views along the river path. Originally, this contemplative space contained a stone seat and housed a memorial bust to the Marquis of Monthermer, who died in 1770, reflecting the Georgian era’s romantic approach to landscape design.
The impressive Clanbrassil Barn, dating from approximately 1757, originally served as stables and storage facilities for the estate. This substantial structure now houses the education room and modern toilet facilities while preserving its historic character, including the original clock mechanism and a bell dating from 1785. The barn’s transformation demonstrates successful adaptive reuse of historic buildings for contemporary visitor needs.
The Barbican Gate and various Gothic gate arches throughout the park represent the architectural vision of Thomas Wright, who designed these structures as garden follies that enhance the romantic landscape experience. These gates serve as impressive entrance features while showcasing the sophisticated design principles that guided 18th-century estate development.
Ancient sites within the park include King’s Grave, a megalithic cairn that predates the estate by thousands of years, and the White Fort cashel, demonstrating continuous human occupation of this exceptional landscape. These archaeological features connect modern visitors to the deep history of human settlement in the Mourne area.
Activities and Recreation
Tollymore Forest Park caters to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels, offering a comprehensive range of activities that take advantage of the park’s diverse terrain and exceptional natural setting.
Walking Trails
Four carefully designed waymarked circular trails originate from the main car park information board, each showcasing different aspects of the park’s most beautiful areas while accommodating varying fitness levels and time constraints. These well-maintained paths wind through different sections of the forest, crossing historic bridges and following the Shimna River’s meandering course.
For experienced outdoor enthusiasts seeking more challenging terrain, the 8-mile Long Haul Trail provides demanding hiking through varied landscapes that reward effort with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and distant sea. This trail requires strong footwear and good fitness levels, as it traverses steep sections and rougher ground conditions.
The prestigious Mourne Way and Ulster Way long-distance trails cross directly through the park, connecting Tollymore to the broader network of hiking routes throughout Northern Ireland. These routes attract serious walkers from across Ireland and beyond, offering multi-day adventure opportunities for those seeking extended mountain trail experiences.
All trails benefit from the information point located in the lower car park, where detailed trail maps provide essential guidance for planning safe and enjoyable walks. The Forest Service recommends strong footwear for all trails due to the varied terrain conditions, which can include rocky sections, muddy patches during wet weather, and uneven root systems in wooded areas.
Camping and Accommodation
Tollymore offers year-round camping facilities that accommodate tents, caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and trailer tents, making it accessible to virtually every type of camping preference. The park features both tarmac pitches equipped with electric hookups for those requiring powered amenities and grass camping areas for visitors preferring a more natural camping experience without electric connections.
Comprehensive facilities ensure comfortable stays regardless of the season, including modern toilets, hot showers, washing areas, fresh water access, dishwashing stations, and chemical disposal facilities for motorhomes and caravans. These amenities are maintained to high standards throughout the year, reflecting the Forest Service’s commitment to visitor satisfaction.
A separate youth campsite provides dedicated space for group bookings, accommodating school trips, youth organizations, and other groups seeking outdoor education experiences. This facility includes changing facilities and direct access to the education room for organized learning activities.
The park operates a convenient online booking system that allows visitors to check availability and make reservations in advance, particularly important during peak seasons when demand for camping spots increases significantly. Early booking is strongly recommended for summer months and holiday periods.
Horse Riding
Dedicated horse riding trails throughout the park provide specially designed routes for equestrian enthusiasts of varying experience levels. The Forest Service manages these trails specifically for horse riding activities, ensuring appropriate surfaces and safe passage through different terrain types.
These special routes accommodate everything from gentle trail rides suitable for beginners to more challenging paths for experienced riders seeking adventure through varied woodland and open areas. The trails connect to the broader network of bridleways in the Mourne area, allowing for extended riding experiences.
Visitors planning horse riding activities should contact the Forest Service directly to obtain detailed information about current trail conditions, regulations, and available route maps. This direct communication ensures riders have up-to-date information about any temporary closures or seasonal considerations affecting trail access.
Game of Thrones Filming Location
Tollymore Forest Park gained international recognition through its prominent role in HBO’s acclaimed Game of Thrones series, where its atmospheric woodlands and ancient paths represented the mysterious Haunted Forest beyond the Wall. This connection has transformed the quiet Northern Ireland forest into a global destination for fantasy entertainment fans.
Specific filming locations throughout the park include the atmospheric areas around the historic bridges, where several crucial early scenes were shot, and various sections of the river path network that provided the perfect backdrop for the show’s supernatural storylines. The combination of ancient trees, misty conditions, and historic stone structures created the otherworldly atmosphere that made these scenes so memorable for viewers worldwide.
As part of Northern Ireland’s official Game of Thrones Territory, Tollymore now features on guided Game of Thrones Forest Trek tours that operate regularly throughout the year. These award-winning tours combine the natural beauty of the forest park with detailed behind-the-scenes information about the filming process, cast experiences, and production challenges.
The tours provide immersive fantasy experiences that connect visitors to Northern Ireland’s significant role in bringing the epic series to life. Professional guides share fascinating stories about how the location was selected, modified for filming, and restored afterward, while pointing out specific spots where memorable scenes were captured.
For fans of the series, visiting Tollymore offers the unique opportunity to walk literally in the footsteps of beloved characters while experiencing the genuine natural beauty that made these locations so compelling to the show’s creators and millions of viewers around the world.
Visitor Facilities and Services
The Tollymore National Outdoor Centre represents a state-of-the-art facility that significantly enhances the park experience through comprehensive course offerings and modern amenities. This national outdoor centre specializes in rock climbing instruction, hillwalking guidance, canoeing and kayaking training, mountain biking skills development, and orienteering programs suitable for different skill levels.
The centre includes ensuite accommodation that provides comfortable overnight stays for participants in extended courses or multi-day adventure programs. These residential facilities feature modern amenities including ensuite accommodation options, ensuring guests enjoy comfortable rest between outdoor activities.
Professional changing facilities support the various outdoor activities offered through the centre, allowing participants to transition efficiently between different pursuits or weather conditions. The centre also features extensive coffee lounge facilities where visitors can relax, socialize, and enjoy refreshments while planning their next activities or reflecting on their experiences.
Meeting and conference rooms within the centre accommodate corporate programming and team development activities, making Tollymore an ideal venue for organizations seeking unique outdoor-based professional development experiences. These conference rooms offer modern audio-visual equipment and flexible layouts suitable for different group sizes and program requirements.
The education room, housed within the historic Clanbrassil Barn, provides dedicated space for school visits and environmental education programs. This facility combines modern teaching capabilities with the atmospheric setting of a genuinely historic building, creating memorable learning experiences for students of all ages.
Additional visitor amenities include well-maintained toilets located at various points throughout the park, ensuring convenient access during longer visits. The main car park and lower car park both provide ample parking space and include information facilities with current maps, safety guidelines, and activity information.
Planning Your Visit
Tollymore Forest Park operates year-round, with each season offering unique advantages for different types of activities and experiences. Spring brings wildflower blooms and active bird life, summer provides ideal conditions for camping and water activities, autumn showcases spectacular foliage displays, and winter offers atmospheric conditions perfect for dramatic photography and crisp mountain air.
Newcastle town, located just five minutes away by car, offers comprehensive shops, cafés, and additional amenities for visitors needing supplies, meals, or accommodation outside the park. This proximity to a full-service coastal town ensures that even extended park visits can be well-supported with necessary provisions and services.
Throughout the park, comprehensive safety signage provides essential guidance for different activities and terrain challenges. All visitors should carefully observe these safety guidelines, particularly when attempting more challenging trails or engaging in water-based activities along the Shimna River. Weather conditions in the Mourne Mountains can change rapidly, making appropriate clothing and preparation essential for safe enjoyment.
Advance booking is strongly recommended for camping and accommodation, especially during peak seasons when demand significantly exceeds availability. The online reservation system allows visitors to secure their preferred dates and accommodation types well in advance, avoiding disappointment during busy periods.
When planning visits, consider the mountain environment’s potential for rapid weather changes and pack appropriate clothing for various conditions. Waterproof layers, sturdy footwear, and warm clothing remain important throughout the year, even during summer months when mountain conditions can differ significantly from coastal weather.
The park’s connection to the broader Mourne Mountains region makes it an ideal base for extended hiking and outdoor adventures. Visitors planning multi-day mountain expeditions should consider Tollymore as either a starting point or comfortable accommodation base, taking advantage of its excellent facilities and strategic location within the outstanding natural beauty of County Down.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful day walk along the river path, an adventure sport challenge on the mountain trail, or simply a relaxing camping experience surrounded by ancient forests and stunning mountain views, Tollymore Forest Park Northern Ireland delivers an exceptional outdoor experience that combines natural beauty, rich history, and modern facilities in one remarkable destination.
