Make the most of the last Bank Holiday of the weekend, Saturday 23 - Monday 25 August. Here are a few ideas of how you can entertain yourselves over this long weekend...
Please check individual listings for full opening hours outside of the Bank Holiday Weekend (Sat-Mon).
Free to visit
Donaghadee Moat and Camera Obscura
Open Sat and Sun | 10am-4pm | Find out more
Sir Samuel Kelly Project, Donaghadee
Open Sat and Sun | 2pm-5pm | Find out more
Ballycopeland Windmill, Millisle
Open Sat - Mon | 10am-4pm | Find out more
Featuring a Petting Zoo Day | Free. No booking required - see LoveHeritageNI
Grey Point Fort, Helen's Bay
Open Open Sat-Mon | 10am-4pm | Find out more
Featuring Wee Critters animal roadshow | Free, pre-booking required - see LoveHeritageNI
North Down Museum, Bangor
Open Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 12noon-4pm | Find out more
Art & Soul: International Art and Sculpture Exhibition at Culloden Estate and Spa, Culta
Open all weekend, 11am-7pm | Find out more
Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport
Open Sat and Sun, 11am-5pm | Find out more
With Summer Sundays, Free Family Fun on 24 August between 2pm and 4pm, with storyteller Steve Lally, and Boom! Studios will be providing kids crafts.
Grey Abbey, Abbey, Greyabbey
Open Sat-Mon | Find out more
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Open Sat & Sun 10am-6pm | Find out more
Attractions
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber
Enjoy an extraordinary day out for the whole family. Escape the everyday, reconnect with nature, and experience the wonder of wetlands on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough | Find out more
Mount Stewart Estate and Gardens - National Trust, Newtownards
Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, this spot is a delight for the senses.Voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world, it is a place of interest, a treat to the eyes, with trails around the grounds that children especially love, for the exploration and adventure | Find out more
The Ark Open Farm, Conlig
The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. It’s home to a huge selection of farm animals and some that are a little more exotic | Find out more
Eden Pottery, Millisle
Eden Pottery's studio, shop and café are set in the countryside of Ards Peninsula, surrounded by fields, with Strangford Lough on one side and beaches and the seaside on the other. You can come along and create your own masterpiece in the studio | Find out more
Loaf Pottery and Coffee Shop, Crawfordsburn
Loaf Pottery has an arts centre to the front of the building and a cafe to the rear. In our arts centre and pottery we offer a range of classes and activities for the local community and visitors to get involved in, these include one day pottery classes, pottery and crafts courses, drop in paint me, glaze me sessions, and pizza and pottery nights | Find out more
Pickie Funpark , Bangor
Enjoy a fun day out at Pickie Fun Park. Try out the 18-hole mini-golf course, giant pedal swans, Pickie Puffer train, children's play area, children's electric car track and more | Find out more
Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary - Northern Ireland's only Aquarium, Portaferry
Enjoy a diver's view of marine life from around the world without getting wet. An underwater Tunnel Experience, friendly sharks and a Dwarfcrocodile, a Waddle of Penguins, all star in Northern Ireland’s only aquarium and seal rehabilitation centre | Find out more
Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra
A place where traditions and heritage skills are preserved and celebrated to help shape future generations. Enjoy displays of craft and characters in dress as you explore this lovely spot full of character and charm | Find out more
Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra
Celebrate the history of invention and innovation through engineering, design, and technology at the Ulster Transport Museum. Check out the famous DeLorean, a Ferguson tractor and the motorbikes of some of Northern Ireland's biggest road racing legends! | Find out more
Eastwell Farm Alpacas
Whether you're on holiday, celebrating a special occasion, looking for a unique adventure with the kids or just mad about alpacas, this experience will be one to remember and a great activity for all to enjoy. All visits are personal and cater to individual needs | Find out more
Open House Festival
Open House Festival continue their August programme of events including their Blues and Jazz Week (until 26 Aug), and Picnic in the Park - music in Ward Park, Bangor on Sunday 24 Aug | 3pm-5pm featuring renowned popular traditional folk musicians The McClean Family.
More events
23 Aug | Saturday Craft Corner at Bangor Visitor Information Centre with textile artist Claire Dunwoody
23 Aug | Summer Craft Activities at Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra
23 Aug | Matthew McAllister Recital at Studio 1a, Bangor
23 Aug | Clandeboye Festival 2025, Bangor
23-25 Aug | Millbank Farm Flower Fest, Killinchy
24 Aug | Summer Sundays at Cockle Row Cottages
Find more events happening throughout August
Experiences
Trad and Tide Bangor Bay
#ExperienceANDand the Bangor Bay waters this Bank Holiday weekend, on Sunday 24 August.
Sunday 24 August
11am – 12.30pm
£18
Enjoy either of these on-the-water adventures - boat tours, exploring Bangor Bay or Strangford Lough from Portaferry, each showcasing the beautiful waters and coastline of our borough, and each brimming with fascinating facts and sights.
Take it all in, while being entertained by musicians from Irish Traditional Musician group Clanreagh.
Find out more and book this scenic maritime adventure...
>> https://bit.ly/4lusWOH
Couple's Electric Adventure Escape
Fancy a break, just the two of you? Make the most of the summer with this retreat by Strangford Lough Activity Centre.
2 nights - Various dates throughout 2025
£660 per couple [£330ea]
Based in Whiterock, Strangford Lough
- Escape the ordinary with a 2-night stay in the Little Green Beach Hut on Sketrick Island, Co Down.
- Enjoy adventure on Strangford Lough's breath-taking shores. Glide above serene waters on e-foil surfboards, explore coastal trails on electric bikes and dive into the wild beauty of the area.
- Perfect for adventurous couples or friends looking for thrills, local dining and a tranquil hideaway by the water.
- An unforgettable Northern Irish escape.
- Step away from the hustle and bustle and breaaathe. Let Strangford Lough work its magic on your wellbeing.
- Note, this experience can take place on 2 consecutive days throughout 2025
Find out more >> https://bit.ly/42gGLrc
Ts and Cs apply
Go on a Whodunit? Hunt around Ards and North Down
How about something fun and different to do ... a self-guided murder mystery trail!
Think Cluedo but outdoors and much more fun - explore somewhere new, discover fascinating places... or stumble upon hidden gems closer to home! Be Sherlock Holmes for a day!
Check out these trails by Whodunit Hunts - Holywood Whodunit, Bangor Whodunit and Ards Peninsula Whodunit.
Find further inspiration
Add to your list of to-do's using some of our other Blog articles such as Free things to do, Pack a Picnic for a day out, Great Family Days Out and Beaches off the Beaten Track.
Please note, all details are subject to change.
Please check individual listings for full opening hours outside of the Bank Holiday Weekend. It is always recommended to check directly with the provider for up to date information with regards event activity and opening.
Ts and Cs may apply to some activity.
It is the responsibility of the third party provider to ensure that their information is up to date on the visitardsandnorthdown.com website.
