4 Botanical Gardens to Explore in County Down
Checkout places to visit in County Down
County DownCounty Down is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. It covers an area of 961 sq mi and has a population of 531,665. Stretching from the shores of Belfast Lough, out around Strangford Lough, and down into the magnificent Mourne Mountains. You’ll find yourself at home beside castles, beaches, forest parks, stately homes, a Royal Palace and the world's top links golf course.
Popular Activities And Trips in County Down
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Botanical Gardens to Explore in County Down
Castlewellan Forest ParkThis is one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe, located in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea. The garden is a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders. It was opened to the public in 1967 after the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture purchased the land from the Annesley family. Features of the park include the National Arboretum, the Peace Maze and Castlewellan Castle.
National Trust - Rowallane GardenRowallane Gardens are well known for its large collection of rhododendrons there is much else to see including wildflower meadows, snowdrops, an interesting rock garden and a walled garden with many rare plants including the National Collection of Penstemon. In the Autumn the Garden comes alive with a good display of Autumn tints. There is a farmland trail to the summit of Trio Hill.
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly HouseSeaforde Gardens, Maze and Tropical Butterfly House promises a truly plant rich and nature-filled experience for visitors. Situated in the historic Demesne of Seaforde in County Down, which has been a family home for almost 400 years, visitors will discover an historic walled garden that has something for everyone. The Tropical Butterfly House is set in beautiful grounds, with avenues of mature trees, a maze set in the middle of an old walled garden.
The Peace MazeEuropes largest permanent hedge maze was designed to commemorate the peace and reconciliation efforts of Northern Ireland in the past century. The paths of the maze are quite narrow, with large hedges growing on either side. The surface is flat, except for a shallow incline which winds round to the centre of the maze where the “Peace Bell” is located. A smooth ramp then connects from this upper level to a path to the East of the maze.