Blog (Inspiration) - Ards & North Down

The National Trust in Northern Ireland play a big part of the care of Strangford Lough, An Area of Designated Natural Beauty, managing over 5,000 hectares of coast and countryside in and around Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. Find out more about the locations in their care that you can visit.

On the most easterly shores of Ulster, with easy sea travel, the Ards Peninsula has long been a place of human settlement.  The first inhabitants were Stone Age hunter-gatherers; later Scrabo Hill was occupied in the Bronze Age between 2000 and 300 BC.  Christianity took root in 545AD when St Finian founded a monastery named "Movilla" which was subsequently destroyed by the Vikings sometime after 824AD. 

To mark this moment in history, Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to announce that several celebratory and community events are planned to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen in May 2023.

Spring in Ards and North Down is finally here… Visit Northern Ireland’s newest City of Bangor for a traditional seaside day out, take in the stunning views and enjoy a delicious bite to eat in picturesque Donaghadee. Relax as you enjoy the coffee culture in Holywood, a spot of shopping in bustling Newtownards, or visit Comber to pick up some local treats at the monthly Farmer’s Market before exploring nearby WWT Castle Espie.

The student community forms an integral part of Ards and North Down due to the South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Campuses in Bangor and Newtownards. Both towns within the Ards and North Down borough are located within 10 miles of Belfast City.

BBC TV series 'Hope Street' first hit our screens in late 2021, and is filmed entirely in the 'Beacon on the Coast', Donaghadee, or ‘The Dee’ as it is known to locals! Fans of the hit police drama are flocking to the thriving town to see its seaside beauty.

Are you looking for a family adventure or unique day out? Well look no further, Ards and North Down offers beautiful locations, immersive experiences and exciting activities for an amazing day out you will never forget. There is always something new to discover- so, come and explore with ideas for five unique days out!

Ards and North Down is brimming with events, activities and attractions to stir all the senses in every season of the year. 

In April we launched the Experience Ards and North Down programme, a series of experiences that run annually from Easter to New Year’s Day. These experiences offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in our place, from the natural beauty of our countryside to water’s edge encounters, touring our historic towns and charming villages, and sampling our delicious food and drink.

Discover this beautiful region, all within an hour of Belfast. Bring your group to journey along our stunning shorelines nestled between the sparkling waters of the Irish Sea and spectacular Strangford Lough. 

Dive deep into the maritime history and heritage of this stunning Peninsula, with many tales to tell dating back through the centuries with this free App recently launched by Ards and North Down Borough Council.

It is time to wind down as you discover 115 miles of scenic coastline along the edge of Belfast Lough, the Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough. All within an hour of Belfast you will find stunning beauty spots, fascinating heritage sites and savour award-winning local food and drink.