Hope Street Walking Tours Return to Donaghadee Following Summer Success

22nd September 2026

Following a hugely successful summer season, the popular Hope Street Walking Tours are returning to Donaghadee, with four new dates announced for Autumn and Winter 2026.

Local tour guide Maureen Lawrence will once again invite visitors to ‘Step into the Drama’ leading visitors through the historic streets, harbour and filming locations that have helped make Donaghadee synonymous with the hit BBC crime drama Hope Street.  The tours have proved to be a major attraction during this year's Donaghadee Summer Festival, with visitors keen to discover the real-life locations behind the fictional town of Port Devine.

Maureen's own story adds a special dimension to the tours:

"After living in Yorkshire for many years, I returned home to Northern Ireland with a single, clear goal: to live by the sea.  Donaghadee has always held a special place in my heart, filled with fond childhood memories of visiting the iconic lighthouse, so I was delighted to find my ‘happy place’ when I settled in the town nearly seven years ago.  Over the years, I’ve fallen completely in love with the town again with it's rich history, vibrant heritage and endless stories so when the production team behind Hope Street knocked on my door asking to feature my property, I was absolutely thrilled and I’ve been a dedicated fan ever since. Today, it is an absolute privilege to share the real-life magic of Donaghadee and the stories of the show with the wonderful visitors who join me on my tours."

A passionate tour guide, music enthusiast and storyteller, Maureen's interests include local history, music, arts and culture and attending as many gigs as possible.  Her love of storytelling and exploration inspired her to gain her professional tour guide qualification, allowing her to combine her interests with a desire to showcase the people, places and stories that make Donaghadee so special.

Through her popular Hope Street Walking Tour, Maureen brings together the history of the town with some TV magic from the hit BBC crime drama, from the harbour to the lighthouse to Hope Street Police Station and many more iconic sites helping visitors view Donaghadee from a unique perspective.

Following the incredible response to the summer tours, Maureen has teamed up with Pier 36 and Copeland Distillery to launch four new ticketed tour dates, giving both residents and visitors another opportunity to step into the world of Port Devine and discover the stories behind the popular television series.  The announcement comes at an exciting time for Hope Street fans, with the new film ‘One of Our Own’ expected to premiere soon. The new tours provide a great opportunity to celebrate the programme's special connection with Donaghadee, while also exploring the town's rich maritime heritage and fascinating history.

The 90-minute walking tour begins at Pier 36 (The Commodore & Discount Voucher) one of the show's most recognisable locations, before leading visitors around key filming sites and local landmarks.  Along the way, Maureen shares stories from the series alongside local history and fascinating insights into the real Donaghadee and its fictional television counterpart, Port Devine.

The tour finishes at the award-winning Copeland Distillery, where guests will receive a Copeland miniature as a special keepsake of the tour.  The tours are also the ideal gift experience for birthdays, special occasions or for Christmas, as well as a fun way to spend a Saturday discovering more about one of Northern Ireland's best-known filming locations.

New Tour Dates:
Saturday 26 September 2026
Saturday 24 October 2026
Saturday 21 November 2026
Saturday 5 December 2026

Meeting Point: Pier 36 (The Commodore), Donaghadee
Time: 11.00am
Price: £17.85 per person

Tour Time: 90 mins

Book now
Places are limited and advance booking is recommended.

Whether you're a Hope Street fan, a lover of local history, a visitor discovering Donaghadee for the first time, or simply looking for something different to do, Hope Street Tours offer the chance to Step into the Drama and discover the stories with its combination of television, history, storytelling and local characters.

Hope Street Walking Tours offers a unique and amusing way to experience the charming seaside town of Donaghadee – The Town with Heart & Harbour.