Newcastle, Co. Down

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Approached from Dundrum, the resort town of Newcastle is spacious with a curved raised beach and sits in the shadow of the beautiful Mourne Mountains. 

The most distinctive building in the town is a 1960s Roman Catholic Church with a green copper parasol roof.  Newcastle offers easy access to the Mourne Mountains, which include a large number of trails for hikers over this area of outstanding beauty. 

Tollymore Forest (+353 (0) 28 4372 2428, open all year) is also a spectacular setting for walking whilst the Tollymore Mountain Centre (+44 (0) 28 4372 2158) offers courses in rock climbing, canoeing and orienteering for the adventurous type. 

Golfers will enjoy the beautiful course at Royal County Down (+44 (0) 28 4372 3314), set against the background of the Mourne Mountains, with a very high standard of greens that are swift and challenging. 

Annalong Corn Mill (+44 (0) 28 3026 8877) is worth a visit, as guided tours are available around this 17th century corn mill which operated up until the 1960s being one of Ulster’s last working watermills.