Clearsky Adventure Centre Northern Ireland
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
WHERE
Downpatrick
What it’s like
Over 20 outdoor activities across an 800 acre estate, from archery and mountain biking to a sea safari to spot seals in Strangford Lough.
This is a place you come to for a whole day outdoors, not a quick hour. The estate runs to 800 acres and there are more than 20 activities on offer, so archery, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking all sit on the same site, alongside an adventure playground if you've got a child who needs a break from being strapped into things. The sea safari is the one to save for last: a wildlife boat trip out onto Strangford Lough to look for seals, which beats most soft play birthday parties hands down.
The mountain bike trails are the other big draw, with 50km of new routes through the estate. If you haven't brought your own kit they hire out mountain bikes, kids bikes and toddler trailers, plus canoes and kayaks, so you don't need to own half a sports shop to have a go. With a minimum age of 4, this leans toward families with primary school aged kids rather than babies and toddlers, though the adventure playground gives younger siblings somewhere to be while the big kids are out on the water or the trails.
There's a café and picnic areas on site, and wifi if you need to check emails while someone else is doing the archery. Parking is there too, which matters given how spread out the estate is. Between the sea safari, the biking and the sheer size of the place, this is one where you plan the day around two or three activities rather than trying to do everything.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Age 4 and up; primary schoolers get the most from the biking and water activities
- The estate covers 800 acres, so expect a fair bit of walking or biking between activities
- With over 20 activities on offer, it is worth picking two or three rather than trying to fit everything in
- Wifi is available on site if you need to stay connected
- Toddler trailers are available to hire, useful if you have a mountain biker and a non biker in the same family
Plan your visit
How old do kids need to be?
The minimum age is 4, so this suits primary school aged children better than toddlers, though there's an adventure playground for younger ones to use while others do the activities.
Do we need to bring our own bikes or boats?
No, they hire out mountain bikes, kids bikes, toddler trailers, canoes and kayaks on site.
What's the sea safari?
A wildlife boat trip out onto Strangford Lough where you look out for seals. It's a different pace from the land based activities.
Is there somewhere to eat?
There's a café on site, and picnic areas if you'd rather bring your own food and eat outdoors between activities.
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