National Trust in Northern Ireland: 18 Amazing Sites to See Around NI

Updated On: December 12, 2023 by   Ciaran Connolly

Want to learn more about the National Trust in Northern Ireland? Heritage sites and places of natural beauty are a great place for a day out. Northern Ireland has lots of amazing National Trust sites to visit in County Antrim, Down, Derry, and Fermanagh. Read on to find out more about where you can experience heritage and nature.

What is the National Trust?

The National Trust is a charitable organisation who work to preserve sites of historical significance or natural beauty. They work with conservators for 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?

1. Ardress House
2. Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge
3. Castle Coole
4. Castle Ward
5. Crom
6. Derrymore
7. Divis & Black Mountain
8. Florence Court
9. Giants Causeway
10. Lisnabreeny & Cregagh Glen
11. Minnowburn
12. Mount Stewart
13. Murlough Nature Reserve
14. Mussenden Temple
15. Rowallane Garden
16. Slieve Donard
17. The Argory
18. The Crown Bar

Ardress House, Co. Armagh

This stunning 17^th century house is situated amongst apple orchards and well kept grounds. The Neo-classical drawing-room inside has beautiful plasterwork created by Dublin plasterer Michael Stapleton. Enjoy a lunch at their picnic spot or in their café and tea room.

Admission Fee:

• Adult £5.45
• Child £2.72
• Family £13.63

Location: 64 Annaghmore Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 1SQ

Opening Hours:

Monday	11am–5pm
Tuesday	11am–5pm
Wednesday	11am–5pm
Thursday	11am–5pm
Friday	11am–5pm
Saturday	11am–5pm
Sunday	11am–5pm

Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Co. Antrim

Blow away the cobwebs with a walk across this historic 100ft 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:

• £13 per adult
• £6.50 per child
• £32.50 per family

Location: 119a Whitepark Rd, Ballintoy, Antrim, Ballycastle BT54 6LS

Opening Hours:

Monday	9:30am–5pm
Tuesday	9:30am–5pm
Wednesday	9:30am–5pm
Thursday	9:30am–5pm
Friday	9:30am–5pm
Saturday	9:30am–5pm
Sunday	9:30am–5pm

Castle Coole, Co. Fermanagh

Take a long walk towards Lough Coole and enjoy a guided tour from staff. The main building is the 18th century home of the Earls of Belmore offering beautiful scenery and interesting history. It is one of the best examples of neo-classical architecture and interiors in Ireland. It is run by the National Trust in Northern Ireland ensuring its history is preserved and offering tours.

Admission Fee:

• Adult: £10.50
• Child: £5.25
• Family: £26.25

Grounds Only:

• Adult: £4.00
• Child: £2.00
• Family: £10.00

Location: Castle Coole, Enniskillen BT74 6JY

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–6pm
Tuesday	10am–6pm
Wednesday	10am–6pm
Thursday	10am–6pm
Friday	10am–6pm
Saturday	10am–6pm
Sunday	10am–6pm

Castle Ward, Co. Down

Castle Ward has a manor house, farm house and grounds filled with interesting activities and sights to see. The grounds have 32km of trails, these can be explored on foot, by horseback or by bike. You can also bring your dog to enjoy the wooded ground. Onsite you can see a farm house a water-powered sawmill, and cornmill.

Admission Fee:

• Adult: £10
• Child: £5
• Family: £25

Location: Strangford, Downpatrick BT30 7BA

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–4pm
Tuesday	10am–4pm
Wednesday	10am–4pm
Thursday	10am–4pm
Friday	10am–4pm
Saturday	10am–4pm
Sunday	10am–4pm

Crom, Co. Fermanagh

Crom is surrounded by amazing woodlands which have wild deer, red squirrels, and other rare species’. Enjoy the sprawling grounds, historic buildings, and sail around enjoying the scenery by boat or canoe. The grounds reach over 2,000 acres and is the perfect place for a picnic or country walk.

Admission Fee:

• Adult: £6.50
• Child: £3.25
• Family : £16.25

Location: Upper Lough Erne Newtownbutler County Fermanagh BT92 8AJ

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–6pm
Tuesday	10am–6pm
Wednesday	10am–6pm
Thursday	10am–6pm
Friday	10am–6pm
Saturday	10am–6pm
Sunday	10am–6pm

Derrymore, Co. Armagh

This historic thatched cottage is surrounded by picturesque scenery and has a special part in the history of Northern Ireland. The Act of Union between Britain and Ireland was drafted here and the Treaty Room is open for visitors. The National Trust in Northern Ireland ensures this historically important place remains open to visitors.

Admission Fee:

Access to the treaty room:

• Standard £1.81
• Children free

Location: Derrymore House, Bessbrook, Newry BT35 7EF

Opening Hours: Grounds Open 24 hours, Treaty Room: 12pm -5pm

Divis & Black Mountain, Belfast

The perfect place for walkers of any ability with a range of terrain paths to choose from. The peaks of Black Mountain give amazing views all the way to Scotland and across Belfast.

Admission Fee: Free

Location: Divis Road Hannahstown, Belfast BT17 0NG

Opening Hours:

Monday	8am–8pm
Tuesday	8am–8pm
Wednesday	8am–8pm
Thursday	8am–8pm
Friday	8am–8pm
Saturday	8am–8pm
Sunday	8am–8pm

Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh

This 18^th century grand house holds an amazing 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 £7.00
• Child £3.50
• Family £17.50

Whole Property

• Adult £11.50
• Child £5.75
• Family £28.75

Location: Enniskillen, BT92 1DB

Opening Hours: 11am – 5pm (Monday – Saturday)  11am – 4pm (Sunday)

Giants Causeway, Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks, a landscape of basalt columns which legend say was built by a giant called Finn MacCool. Learn more about the legend at the visitor center before walking through coastal scenery to reach the iconic columns. The National trust in Northern Ireland have organised tours and information on the formation of the columns.

Admission Fee:

• Adult   £13.00
• Child    £6.50
• Family £32.50

Location: 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU

Opening Hours:  9am – 5pm

Lisnabreeny & Cregagh Glen, Belfast

This beautiful nature trail is a great trek filled with beautiful views and sounds of nearby waterfalls.

Admission Fee: Free

Location: A55 Upper Knockbreda Rd, Belfast BT6 9QL

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Minnowburn, Belfast

This 128 acres of countryside and woodland in the Northern Irish countryside. This area preserved by the National Trust in Northern Ireland takes in 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: Open 24 hours

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	10am–4pm
Tuesday	10am–4:30pm
Wednesday	10am–4:30pm
Thursday	10am–4:30pm
Friday	10am–4:30pm
Saturday	10am–4:30pm
Sunday	10am–4:30pm

Murlough Nature Reserve, Co. Down

Admission Fee: Car Parking £5

Location: Dundrum, Newcastle BT33 0NQ

Opening Hours:

Monday	8am–5pm
Tuesday	8am–5pm
Wednesday	8am–5pm
Thursday	8am–5pm
Friday	8am–5pm
Saturday	8am–5pm
Sunday	8am–5pm

Mussenden Temple, Co. Derry

Admission Fee: Parking £5

Location: Seacoast Rd, Coleraine BT51 4RH

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–5pm
Tuesday	10am–5pm
Wednesday	10am–5pm
Thursday	10am–5pm
Friday	10am–5pm
Saturday	10am–5pm
Sunday	10am–5pm

Rowallane Garden, Co. Down

Admission Fee:

• Adult £8.00
• Child £4.00
• Family £20.00

Location: Crossgar Rd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch BT24 7LH

Opening Hours:

Monday	10am–4pm
Tuesday	10am–4pm
Wednesday	10am–4pm
Thursday	10am–4pm
Friday	10am–4pm
Saturday	10am–4pm
Sunday	10am–4pm

Slieve Donard, Co. Down

Admission Fee: Free

Location: Newcastle BT33 0HD

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

The Argory, Co. Armagh

Admission Fee:

• Adult £6.50
• Child  £3.25
• Family £16.25

Location: 144 Derrycaw Rd, Dungannon BT71 6NA

Opening Hours:

Monday	11am–5pm
Tuesday	11am–5pm
Wednesday	11am–5pm
Thursday	11am–5pm
Friday	11am–5pm
Saturday	11am–5pm
Sunday	11am–5pm

The Crown Bar, Belfast

This interesting bar in Belfast is a historic gin palace and its stunning interiors are a real treat. If you want to secure a wooden booth to enjoy a pint ensure you book ahead.

Admission Fee: Free, booking recommended.

Location: 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA

Opening Hours:

Monday	11:30am–11:30pm
Tuesday	11:30am–11:30pm
Wednesday	11:30am–11:30pm
Thursday	11:30am–11:30pm
Friday	11:30am–12:30am
Saturday	11:30am–12:30am
Sunday	12:30–11:30pm

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 amazing 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 jam, and more!