NEWCASTLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS
“Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”.
This coastal town has a wonderful seaside promenade and nestles at the foot of Northern Ireland’s highest mountain Slieve Donard (2796 ft.)
The harbour with its sailing and fishing boats, is a hub of activity in summer with open water swimmers, paddleboarders and daring pier jumpers. The Shimna river, flowing through the town, abounds with salmon and trout. Enjoy a walk along the magnificent promenade, passing the Percy French memorial fountain (writer of the “Mountains of Mourne” song), and enjoy the smell of the sea and surrounding beauty.
Hiker and fell runner’s paradiseSnooze Apartments is a stone’s throw from Donard Park, right beside the Glen River and gateway to the Mourne Mountains.
This beautiful park features football, hockey pitches and picnic facilities and is a renowned tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.
Other beautiful forest parks nearby, include the enchanting Tollymore Forest Park, filming location of the popular “Game of Thrones” series.
Tours available here.
Tollymore, less than a mile from Snooze Apartments, offers stunning walks, mountain biking trails, picnic and play areas.
Castlewellan Forest Park, 5 miles from Snooze Apartments is worth a visit.
Get lost in the fabulous Peace Maze, hike around the lake and try the mountain biking trails.
The Life Adventure Centre here has bike and canoe hire and offers outdoor activities.
There are picnic tables and a play park in Castlewellan Forest Park..
No visit to the area is complete without a visit to the glorious Murlough Beach. Backed by a 6000-year-old fragile sand dune system and 6 kilometres long, the dunes are sprinkled with wildflowers in spring and summer. Murlough is an excellent area for walking and bird watching, due to its spectacular location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains.
A round or two…
Newcastle boasts the famous Royal County Down Golf Club, the most photographed golf course in the world! It is Rory McElroy’s all-time favourite! Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have also played here. Check out the Mourne Golf Club too.
There is an abundance of things to do in Newcastle and surrounding areas, We hope this page will get you started. Check our links for more things to do in the area.Families
Newcastle Beach: Just across the road from Snooze Apartments. Enjoy some serious rock pooling at this quiet little stretch of sand and rock. The main Newcastle beach is just a few minutes away, walk across from here at low tide.
Donard Park is minutes from Snooze. Explore the paths and trails with the family. The YMCA offers children’s activity weeks here all summer. Castle Park, on Main Street: Enjoy holiday fun at the play area, rent a pedalo on Swan Lake or enjoy a go-cart session. Tickets can be purchased at Newcastle Centre 10-14 Central Promenade. Tollymore Forest Park: Tollymore is less than a mile away. Walk to the hermitage with beautiful bridges and waterfalls along the way, with the kids, or choose any of the other routes. The woodland children’s playpark is a real treat and for mountain biking and climbing wall sessions check out Tollymore Mountain Centre.Castlewellan Forest Park: Located 5 miles from Snooze Apartments, Castlewellan forest Park has not only trails, walks and a play park, but also great mountain biking and canoeing packages for families, and activity weeks for kids in summer. For details check here: Life Adventure Centre
Murlough beach: Wander along the wooden walkway to the safe sandy beach and have fun exploring the sand dunes. Coco’s Playground: This indoor adventure playground is open 7 days a week and has activities for children aged 0-14. Children can enjoy exciting, active playtime and exploration on slides, swings and softplay areas in a safe, secure environment. Tropicana: Enjoy the flumes of this heated outdoor swimming pool. Open July and August. Swimming lessons are can be booked at Newcastle Centre. Rock Pool: Brace yourselves for a dip in our historic, outdoor, seawater pool. Open July and August, it is right across the road from Snooze Apartments. Kids can learn lifesaving skills hereFOR THE FOODIE
Well where do I start? Apart from all the usual large and small supermarkets Newcastle has a truly delicious offering of eateries.
Some of them offer a discount as part of our “Snooze Business card” initiative. This is a card you will be issued as a guest of Snooze for the duration of your stay and which many local businesses offer discounts through.
Here are some of the best:
Brunels:
An award-winning 70 seater restaurant in the heart of Newcastle, County Down providing fresh, local, seasonal cuisine. “good food from the heart.” Our verdict: Pricey but worth it. Ideal for a special occasion and for those who appreciate fine food.
https://www.brunelsrestaurant.co.uk/
Copper:
Copper Newcastle is a Fish and Steak Restaurant and a Wine & Tapas Bar. Great for friends to get together. Our verdict: Great quality food and a chance to try a few different things. A fun night out. Booking essential
https://https://coppernewcastle.com/
Great Jones Craft and Kitchen:
Great Jones brings a fresh and exciting spin to the restaurant scene in the town, delivering a casual dining experience with a focus on quality and style. A carefully crafted menu has been designed to deliver the best in modern Irish cuisine with an innovative twist on classic dishes. A fantastic collection of craft beers from around Ireland, Britain and both sides of Lake Atlantic with New York flair put on a cocktail menu designed with everyone’s tastes in mind. Mid to high range pricing. Good food in a chic but casual surrounding.
http://www.greatjones.co.uk/
Sea salt:
Overlooking Newcastle’s picturesque sea front, Sea Salt Café & Bistro offers new flavours & old favourites. Serves all day breakfast and lunch menu as well as a weekend Bistro operating a B.Y.O policy. Small and cosy with a lovely coastal feel. Great food and views.
http://www.seasaltnewcastle.com/
Olive Bizarre:
Located in the Harbour end of the town (two minutes walk from Snooze Apartments) with fantastic sea views. They offer a fantastic range of homemade pies, quiches, sandwiches etc as well as an array of traybakes and sweet treats. Breakfast, lunch, brunch, afternoon tea, twilight tea and occasional bistro nights. Gluten free and vegan options usually available. Our verdict: Great food and coffee. Atmosphere lovely with a definite quirky edge. Kids well catered for on the menu and also some seats and a bookcase with books kids and adults alike can help themselves to. If your wondering what the hot water bottle pile by the door is for…. it’s for the sea swimmers who swim EVERY DAY of the year!!! A must visit.
https://www.facebook.com/Olive-Bizarre-155284441161121/?ref=br_rs
Harbour inn:
A stones through from Snooze Apartments the Harbour Inn is a cosy bar packed with personality which serves great food. It is a family run establishment which has been serving food for 30 years. It offers a bistro menu in the bar and also has a 70 seater restaurant next door (Stone Boat Restaurant). They specialise in fresh fish and shell fish. Our Verdict: Great food, caters well for kids, and as it’s build on the sea wall overlooking the Harbour it has fantastic views. Lovely spot on a summer evening to sit on the outside deck to dine.
http://www.harbourhousenewcastle.com/
Railway Street Cafe and Brew Bar:
Railway Street Cafe is located opposite the pretigious Slieve Donard hotel. They serve breakfast and lunch as well as great coffee and traybakes. They have a healthy slant with smoothies made freshly and things on the menu like sweet potato hash. Our Verdict: Mid range pricing. No children’s menu. Nicely decorated and a good size. Lovely for a casual lunch.
https://www.facebook.com/railwaystcoffee/
Villa Vinci:
Villa Vinci is an established restaurant with a reputation for sumptuous food and exceptional service. Their menu is inspired by Mediterranean origins and offers something for everyone. Our verdict: Mid range pricing. Good food and caters well for children. Large premises so ideal for big groups. The pizzas are legendary in the local area.
http://www.villavinci.co.uk/
Savoy:
The Savoy cafe is a family run restaurant offering very reasonably priced, high quality food. It serves breakfast and lunch. Our verdict: Really good quality food, perhaps the best coffee in town!! Very busy wee spot and centrally located in the town.
http://www.savoy-cafe.com/
Doc’s fish and chips:
Doc’s is a sit in or take away fish and chips restaurant. This is great for families, couples, friends or anyone who likes fish and chips. Gluten free fish and chips available and BYO an option. Our verdict: Hard to pass for an affordable, tasty option. Offers more than you would expect from a chippie. Grab a bottle of organic wine from the nearby Donard wines and make a night of it.
http://placeweb.site/docs-cafe-and-fish-chips-newcastle?opentab