Belfast city centre is around 11 miles away, although Saintfield's quality Ulsterbus service assists commuters greatly, meaning many more Belfast-based workers are continuing to live there. The sporting tradition in Saintfield is extremely prominent - with Gaelic football, bowling, cricket, hockey, badminton and football teams. On top of this, fishing at Carrickmannon Lake is ever-popular with the residents of Saintfield. The Carrickmannon Fishery is in the heart of Saintfield and is open all year round. Facilities at Carrickmannon include a 25-acre lake, a Fly Pond, a Bait Pond and a Children's Pond. Completed with a car park, disabled parking, toilets and picnic facilities it is the ideal location for a family day out.
There is no shortage of local schools, both primary and secondary to the residents of Saintfield. Nearby, there are some of Northern Ireland's leading primary, grammar and secondary schools.
Despite being a somewhat small town, Saintfield has five well-attended churches, a tradition that has been maintained throughout the last few generations. These churches include a Church of Ireland, two Presbyterian churches, Saintfield Baptist Church and Mary, Mother of the Church Roman Catholic Church.
Carrickmannon Fishery
Campbell College Belfast
Methody
RBAI
Strathearn
Bloomfield Collegiate
Down High
Saintfield High
Lagan College