Private Ards Peninsula St Patrick Trail with Winterfell Strangford Lough Ferry

Saint Patrick and Winterfell share one remarkable day. I like the mix of saintly history and Game of Thrones scenery, and I like having a private driver for the winding roads around County Down. The main drawback is price: at $964.32 per person, this is a costly outing unless your group values privacy and a flexible route.

This is not a quick photo stop tour. You may climb hills, visit ruined abbeys, explore museums, and pay extra for several major attractions. The relaxed pace is a real strength, but the long list of stops means you should discuss priorities with your guide before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Scrabo Tower gives you a fine opening view across Strangford Lough after a climb of 122 steps.
• Saint Patrick’s story gets proper attention at the Saint Patrick Centre, Down Cathedral, Saul Church, and Struell Wells.
• The ferry from Portaferry to Strangford turns a road trip into a short scenic crossing with views of the lough.
• Castle Ward is the Winterfell stop, but its entrance fee is not included in the tour price.
• Your group travels privately, with pickup and drop-off from a central Belfast hotel or cruise ship.
• The itinerary can be adjusted, which matters because 14 listed stops cannot all receive equal time.

Why this private County Down route works

This experience covers a part of Northern Ireland that is easy to miss if you stay in Belfast. County Down offers open water, small villages, old religious sites, ruined stonework, and broad views from hilltops. The route also adds several Game of Thrones locations, but the best parts do not depend on knowing the television series.

I like the way the tour links places rather than treating them as unrelated stops. Saint Patrick’s grave makes more sense after you have heard his story. Inch Abbey gains extra interest when you recognize it as a filming location. The Strangford Lough ferry then gives the day a pleasant change of pace.

Because the tour is private, you are not tied to a large group’s timetable. You can spend longer at a favorite stop, shorten a visit, or ask for more time at a site that matters to you. The provider offers extra time at £40 per hour, subject to the guide’s discretion.

The advertised duration is about six to eight hours. That is enough for a good introduction, but not enough for a leisurely visit to every place listed. I would decide in advance if your main interest is Saint Patrick, scenery, Game of Thrones, museums, or a little of everything.

Scrabo Tower and the first views over Strangford Lough

Scrabo Tower rises 135 feet above Scrabo Hill near Newtownards. Built in the 19th century as a memorial to Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, it was first known as the Londonderry Monument. Its Scottish Baronial Revival design gives it the look of a stern stone castle, though it was built as a lookout tower and memorial.

The tower sits on a hill about 540 feet above sea level. To reach the viewing platform, you climb 122 steps. That is a manageable challenge for many people, but it is still worth wearing comfortable shoes and allowing time to catch your breath.

From the top, you can see Strangford Lough and its islands. The water and scattered shorelines help you understand the shape of the peninsula before the vehicle begins looping through it. I consider this one of the best early stops because it gives the rest of the day a sense of place.

The visit is listed at about 30 minutes, and admission is included. If stairs are difficult for you, ask about the climb before booking. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but the tower visit clearly requires physical effort.

Strangford Lough by road and by ferry

Strangford Lough is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with scenery and wildlife throughout the large sea lough. You may see native birds, and the water is also associated with dolphins and basking sharks. Sightings are not guaranteed, so treat the wildlife as a possibility rather than the main event.

The ferry crossing between Portaferry and Strangford is one of the tour’s most appealing practical touches. Instead of retracing the roads around the lough, you cross by car ferry and get a short spell outside the vehicle. The listed crossing takes about 20 minutes.

Ferry costs are separate from some of the other inclusions, with the supplied fare listed as £5.80 for a vehicle up to six metres and £1 per passenger. The example fare for a group of six with a vehicle is £11.80. Confirm the current charge when booking, since transport prices can change.

I like this part because it breaks up a busy sightseeing day. You can take pictures from the ferry and watch the shoreline shift. It is a simple crossing, not a cruise, so keep your expectations sensible. Its value comes from the views and the route it makes possible.

Saint Patrick’s trail around Downpatrick

The Saint Patrick portion is the heart of the day. The Saint Patrick Centre provides the main introduction to Ireland’s patron saint. You can spend about an hour there, but admission is not included in the tour price.

That extra fee is worth considering when comparing the total cost. The centre is the place to choose if you want a focused presentation rather than scattered references at several churches and monuments. Ask your guide how much time is available, since the long list of stops may require a choice between a full centre visit and shorter visits elsewhere.

Down Cathedral adds the strongest historical setting. The Church of Ireland cathedral occupies the site of a Benedictine monastery built in 1183. On Cathedral Hill outside the church is the grave associated with Saint Patrick.

A large granite marker identifies the burial place. Medieval tradition also connects the hill with Brigid and Columcille, producing the familiar claim that three saints share one grave. You do not need to accept every part of the legend to appreciate the power of the site. It is a place where religious memory, local tradition, and centuries of pilgrimage meet.

The tour includes a private visit to Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s grave. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough to see the key features, but a visitor drawn to church architecture or religious history may want extra time.

The Saint Patrick statue at Slieve Patrick provides another change of scale. The plan calls for a climb up the mountain to see the large statue and enjoy the views. The stop is listed at 30 minutes and admission is included.

This is another place where footwear matters. The word mountain may sound dramatic, but the important practical point is that you will be walking uphill. If your group includes anyone who dislikes climbs, ask the guide how this stop can be handled.

Saul Church is a short visit, about 10 minutes. It is associated with Ireland’s first Christian church and is described as a beautiful place. Do not expect a long guided experience here. Its value is in seeing a small, quiet religious site connected to the Saint Patrick story.

Inch Abbey and Struell Wells

Inch Abbey is one of the most atmospheric stops on the route. The ruined monastic site sits beside the River Quoile, north-west of Downpatrick, in a hollow between two drumlins. Its early Gothic remains date mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, though the church is believed to be older than nearby Grey Abbey.

The site was founded by John de Courcy as an act of atonement after the destruction of Erenagh Abbey. That detail gives the ruins a human edge. Medieval religious buildings were not only places of prayer. They were also tied to power, penance, land, and local politics.

The visit takes about 30 minutes and admission is included. Game of Thrones fans will recognize Inch Abbey as a filming location, but you can enjoy the stone arches and open setting without knowing the show. The site is especially good for photographs, with no need for elaborate staging.

Struell Wells offers a different kind of Saint Patrick connection. The four holy wells date from before his time and were used by people seeking cures. The surviving buildings date from about the 17th century, while written references to the wells reach back to 1306.

The site includes a well and a men’s bath house, and pilgrimages were once recorded from the 16th through the 19th centuries. The visit is listed at 30 minutes. It is a quieter and less polished stop than a major museum, which is exactly why it can feel meaningful.

I would approach Struell Wells with respect for its religious purpose. This is not simply an old attraction to tick off. Its importance comes from continued belief, local tradition, and the long practice of pilgrimage.

Castle Ward, Winterfell, and the cost of entry

Castle Ward is the major Game of Thrones stop. The 18th-century National Trust property overlooks Strangford Lough near the village of Strangford. Its historic farmyard was used as Winterfell in the pilot and much of the first season.

You can also find filming connections to the Whispering Wood, Robb Stark’s camp, the Baelor battle, and the scene involving Brienne and the Stark men. The production spent eight weeks building the Winterfell set, with hundreds of actors and crew working at the site.

The tour allows about an hour here, but entrance to Castle Ward is not included. That is a major point when judging the $964.32 price. You are paying for private transport, the driver, flexibility, ferry tickets, Down County Museum, and several included sites, but you still need to budget for Castle Ward and the Saint Patrick Centre.

I would not book this tour solely for Castle Ward unless you have confirmed the admission cost and opening arrangements. The property is large enough to reward more than a rushed photo, and one hour may feel short if you want both the filming areas and the historic estate.

The private format helps here. A group of your own can decide to spend less time at another stop and more time at Castle Ward, though the guide controls any extra paid hours. In previous outings on this route, Castle Ward and Inch Abbey have been quiet enough to enjoy without heavy crowds. That calm atmosphere is one of the better reasons to avoid a packed coach excursion.

The museum, Parliament Buildings, and Belfast finish

Down County Museum occupies the former 18th-century County Gaol in Downpatrick. The gaol opened in 1796 and closed in 1830. Today, the museum presents County Down’s heritage through permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, events, hands-on activities, and education programs.

The extension adds three permanent galleries and a tearoom. The visit is listed at 30 minutes, with admission included. That is enough for a quick introduction, but the museum could easily fill more time for anyone interested in local history.

The route also includes a drive to the Northern Ireland Parliament Buildings for a photo opportunity. The stop takes about 10 minutes and admission is included. It is more of a brief exterior visit than a full political or architectural tour, so keep your expectations modest.

C.S. Lewis Square in East Belfast provides the final themed stop. The square features references to The Chronicles of Narnia and the Lion. It takes about 15 minutes and admission is included.

These Belfast stops help connect the rural County Down outing with the city where the tour begins and ends. The return drive is listed at about 40 minutes through small towns and villages. Pickup and drop-off at a central Belfast hotel or cruise ship make the day much easier than trying to link all these locations by public transport.

What $964.32 per person really buys

The price is high. For a solo visitor or couple, it may be difficult to justify unless you place a strong value on a private vehicle and a custom route. For a family or small group, the calculation can look better, especially when compared with booking several separate taxis or trying to coordinate buses and ferry connections.

Included value comes from the private air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip pickup, navigation, the driver’s local guidance, Down County Museum, Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s grave, the Strangford Lough ferry tickets, Inch Abbey, Saul Church, Struell Wells, Scrabo Tower, Slieve Patrick, and C.S. Lewis Square.

You still pay for the Saint Patrick Centre and Castle Ward. Tips are also not included. A luxury Mercedes upgrade may be available for £30, but it is optional and subject to availability.

I would ask for a clear cost estimate before departure. The flexible format is useful, but a customized day can become more expensive if you add hours or prioritize sites that require admission.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend the tour to a family, couple, or small private group with several overlapping interests. It suits people who want Saint Patrick sites, coastal scenery, ruined abbeys, and Game of Thrones in one day without driving themselves.

It is also a good choice for cruise passengers because pickup and return to the ship are offered. You avoid the worry of missing a ferry connection or getting back to Belfast after a long day in County Down.

The tour is less suitable if you want a slow visit to every site. The route includes 14 stops, and some are brief. It is also not the best fit if you dislike stairs, uphill walks, or extra entrance fees.

Most people can participate, and the activity is private to your group. Still, tell the provider about mobility concerns before booking, especially because Scrabo Tower and Slieve Patrick involve climbs.

Practical verdict: should you book it?

Book this tour if privacy, local routing, and variety matter more to you than a low price. The best parts are the relaxed feel, the ferry crossing, the Saint Patrick trail, and the chance to see Castle Ward and Inch Abbey without being pushed along with a large group.

Skip it if you only want a single Game of Thrones location or a short Belfast day trip. In that case, the price and extra admission fees may feel too steep.

For the right group, this is a well-filled County Down day. Tell the guide your top three priorities, bring walking shoes, confirm the extra entry costs, and treat the itinerary as a flexible plan rather than a race to collect every stop.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six to eight hours.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from central Belfast accommodation or a cruise ship.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your preferences.

Is admission to the Saint Patrick Centre included?

No. Admission to the Saint Patrick Centre is an additional cost.

Is Castle Ward admission included?

No. Entrance to Castle Ward, the Winterfell filming location, is not included.

Are the Strangford Lough ferry tickets included?

The supplied tour details include Strangford Lough car ferry tickets. A separate fare is listed for a vehicle and passengers, so confirm the current arrangement when booking.

Can the tour run longer than eight hours?

Extra time can be added from £40 per hour, subject to the guide’s discretion.