The official website of Visit Ards and North Down
En

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Plan your trip
  • Stay
  • What's On
  • Things to Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping
Accommodation Search
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Keyword:
I'm interested in...
Things to Do Search
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Keyword:
What's On Search
Dates
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Keyword:
Food & Drink Search
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Keyword:
Shopping Search
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Keyword:

Refine By

Refine Your Search Further:

Type
Attraction
Activity
Location

Number of results: 43

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. A photo of the alter at St Cooey's wells
    A photo of the word drink which forms part of the Washing, Eye and Drinking wells situated in this peaceful, wooded dell, which are reputed to have he
    A photo of the alter at St Cooey's wells
    A photo of the word drink which forms part of the Washing, Eye and Drinking wells situated in this peaceful, wooded dell, which are reputed to have he

    Portaferry

    Address

    Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RF

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9182 6846

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Churches & Sacred Sites

    The church at St Cooey’s Wells is thought to date from the 7th century but only the foundation stones now remain. The Washing, Eye and Drinking wells in this peaceful, wooded dell are reputed to have healing powers.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  2. Grey Abbey ruins and graveyard from a birds eye view
    Grey Abbey ruins in the sunshine
    Grey Abbey ruins
    Grey Abbey ruins
    Grey Abbey ruins
    Grey Abbey ruins and graveyard from a birds eye view
    Grey Abbey ruins in the sunshine
    Grey Abbey ruins
    Grey Abbey ruins
    Grey Abbey ruins

    Greyabbey

    Address

    Main Street, Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2NQ

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Abbey / Priory

    Grey Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey church and its living quarters were founded in 1193 by Affreca wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman invader of East Ulster.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  3. a photograph of the motte surrounded by some trees

    Holywood

    Address

    Brook Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9BB

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

    Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman castle mound, which probably had a ditch round its base and a timber palisade round the summit.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)
  4. Visitors enjoying picnics in the grounds of the Folk Museum
    Horses at work ploughing a field
    Children enjoying the autumn leaves in the museum grounds
    A little girl enjoying one of the working displays
    Children sitting on a wall within the village of the Museum
    A spinner at work
    A weaver at work
    Ballycultra Village within the museum
    One of the museum characters at work
    Ballycultra Village replica homes
    Visitors enjoying picnics in the grounds of the Folk Museum
    Horses at work ploughing a field
    Children enjoying the autumn leaves in the museum grounds
    A little girl enjoying one of the working displays
    Children sitting on a wall within the village of the Museum
    A spinner at work
    A weaver at work
    Ballycultra Village within the museum
    One of the museum characters at work
    Ballycultra Village replica homes

    Holywood

    Address

    153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9042 8428

    Price

    Price from: £12.50 to £36.50 Per Ticket

    Gradings

    • Four Star Quality Assurance
    Four Star Quality Assurance

    Type

    Type:

    Visitor Centres & Museums

    Refresh the connection at Ulster Folk Museum, a place where traditions and heritage skills are preserved and celebrated to help shape future generations.

    Special Offers

    • Explore More this Summer at the Museums

      This summer, there’s no better time to explore more of your museums. Whether you’re reconnecting with heritage at the Ulster Folk Museum, discovering local inventions at the now separate Ulster Transport Museum next door or journeying back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh – now’s the perfect time to revisit a favourite or discover something entirely new. 

      Visit once and come back for half the price! From 22nd May to 31st August, when you back and visit once of the three museums with a general admission ticket, you’ll receive 50% off your next visit (on up to a max of 6 tickets) to Ulster Folk Museum, Ulster Transport Museum or Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh. 

      Book Now

      More offers like this - Attractions Offers

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Oct 2026to28 Feb 2027Various Opening Times

    Price

    Price from: £12.50 to £36.50 Per Ticket

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Dogs accepted by arrangement

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  5. Photo of birds eye view of Kirkistown Castle surrounded by grassland

    Cloughey

    Address

    Main Road, Cloughey, County Down, BT22 1JB

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Traditionally believed to have been built by Roland Savage of Ballygalget in 1622, possibly reusing an earlier site.

    Price

    Free
  6. Nendrum monastic site on a clear sunny day
    Nendrum monastic site
    Nendrum monastic site on a clear sunny day
    Nendrum monastic site

    Comber

    Address

    Mahee Island, Ringneill Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EP

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Churches & Sacred Sites

    Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has links to St Patrick in later sources. The monastery consists of 3 round dry stone walled enclosures, one within the other.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  7. Vintage double decker bus
    Vintage double decker bus
    The earth and moon sculptures from the Our Place in Space trail.
    A man and boy looking at a vintage train
    A car lit up
    A family enjoying the Transport Museum exhibit
    Vintage car and surf boards
    Vintage plane
    The famous DeLorean car, as featured in the Back to the Future movies
    Two girls view the Titanic exhibit
    Vintage double decker bus
    Vintage double decker bus
    The earth and moon sculptures from the Our Place in Space trail.
    A man and boy looking at a vintage train
    A car lit up
    A family enjoying the Transport Museum exhibit
    Vintage car and surf boards
    Vintage plane
    The famous DeLorean car, as featured in the Back to the Future movies
    Two girls view the Titanic exhibit

    Holywood

    Address

    150 Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EY

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9042 8428

    Price

    Price from: £12.50 to £36.50 Per Ticket

    Type

    Type:

    Visitor Centres & Museums

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Oct 2026to29 Feb 2028Various Opening Times

    Price

    Price from: £12.50 to £36.50 Per Ticket

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking

    Facilities

    Establishment Features

    • Wifi
  8. Scrabo Tower at dusk
    Photo of yellow gorse bush and Scrabo Tower peaking up from behind framed by blue sky
    Drone photo of Scrao Tower sitting majestically on it's hill overlooking the countryside
    Scrabo Tower at dusk
    Photo of yellow gorse bush and Scrabo Tower peaking up from behind framed by blue sky
    Drone photo of Scrao Tower sitting majestically on it's hill overlooking the countryside

    Newtownards

    Address

    203A Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Tower

    At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  9. Photo of the side view of Bangor Castle (Bangor Town Hall) on a beautiful sunny day framed by flowers
    Photo showing North Down Museum opening sign with Town Hall in backdrop
    Photo of Town Hall/Bangor Castle in the sunshine framed by leafy tree branches
    Photo showing the embossed words Edward Ward 1852, the date the Town Hall was erected
    Image of the Town Hall and front gardens in red, pink and yellow bloom
    Photo of the side view of Bangor Castle (Bangor Town Hall) on a beautiful sunny day framed by flowers
    Photo showing North Down Museum opening sign with Town Hall in backdrop
    Photo of Town Hall/Bangor Castle in the sunshine framed by leafy tree branches
    Photo showing the embossed words Edward Ward 1852, the date the Town Hall was erected
    Image of the Town Hall and front gardens in red, pink and yellow bloom

    Bangor

    Address

    Castle Park Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TF

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 300 013 3333

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

    This impressive building was built for the Hon Robert Edward Ward and his family in 1852. It is presently the headquarters of Ards and North Down Borough Council who use the mansions spectacular grand salon as the council chamber.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  10. Portaferry Castle, view from the road

    Portaferry

    Address

    Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NY

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Portaferry Castle is a 16th Century tower-house, built by the Savage family. It is located on the slope overlooking Portaferry harbour.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)
  11. a photograph of a graveyard
    A photo of the side of Holywood Priory on a sunny day
    a photograph of a graveyard
    A photo of the side of Holywood Priory on a sunny day

    Holywood

    Address

    High Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0069

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Churches & Sacred Sites

    Holywood Priory is an intersting and historic site close to the bustling town of Holywood.

    Price

    Free
  12. A photo of the Sketrick Castle ruins

    Killinchy

    Address

    Sketrick Island, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QH

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Sketrick Castle is located on Sketrick Island which is reached by a causeway on the west coast of Strangford Lough. This large tower house was built in the mid 15th century and was actively involved in warfare during the 16th century.

    Price

    Free
  13. Photo of museum exterior and grassland to front
    Photo of staged set that depicts soldier life in the war. The image shows a map, headphones, a gas lamp and some gear
    A staged set with a dummy model of a soldier in gear in ditch holding a gun over sandbags on alert
    Image of staged bunker set showcasing life in war, featuring uniforms, sleep set up and dining set up as well as everyday items used to survive the wa
    Photo's of an officers office setting featuring signs and posters encouraging men to enlist to the war, as well as featuring gear and accessories of t
    Photo of green hut exterior where some of the museum displays are featured
    Photo of staged bunker set showing bed, soldiers headwear and a table and chair for dining and writing
    Photo of museum exterior and grassland to front
    Photo of staged set that depicts soldier life in the war. The image shows a map, headphones, a gas lamp and some gear
    A staged set with a dummy model of a soldier in gear in ditch holding a gun over sandbags on alert
    Image of staged bunker set showcasing life in war, featuring uniforms, sleep set up and dining set up as well as everyday items used to survive the wa
    Photo's of an officers office setting featuring signs and posters encouraging men to enlist to the war, as well as featuring gear and accessories of t
    Photo of green hut exterior where some of the museum displays are featured
    Photo of staged bunker set showing bed, soldiers headwear and a table and chair for dining and writing

    Newtownards

    Address

    233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9182 3202

    Type

    Type:

    Visitor Centres & Museums

    The Museum examines Ireland's role in the 1st World War with special reference to the cross-community involvement in the 3 local volunteer Divisions: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions and the 36th (Ulster) Division.

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking

    Facilities

    Establishment Features

    • Wifi
  14. Image of Donaghadee lighthouse and boats tied in the harbour
    A photograph of Donaghadee lifeboat orange in colour moored in the water in front of donaghadee lighthouse
    Image of Donaghadee lighthouse and boats tied in the harbour
    A photograph of Donaghadee lifeboat orange in colour moored in the water in front of donaghadee lighthouse

    Donaghadee

    Address

    The Harbour, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HF

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9182 6846

    Type

    Type:

    Lighthouse

    Donaghadee lies on the Irish Sea coast and as such is popular with water enthusiasts, anglers and those who simply like to be beside the seaside.

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  15. Photograph of the Movilla Abbey, grave stones and ruins

    Newtownards

    Address

    Movilla Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8EZ

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Abbey / Priory

    Movilla Abbey, Methodist and Church of Ireland.

    As important as Bangor, Movilla was associated with Saint Finian of the 6th-century. As with many early monasteries, it was refounded as an Augustinian abbey in the Norman 12th century.

    Price

    Free
  16. Photo of Market Cross in the heart of Newtownards town
    Close up sepia coloured photo of the gargoyle features on Market Cross
    Photo of Market Cross in the heart of Newtownards town
    Close up sepia coloured photo of the gargoyle features on Market Cross

    Newtownards

    Address

    High Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7HZ

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9182 6846

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

    At the east of High Street in Newtownards the Market Cross was built in 1636 but was destroyed by Commonwealth troops in 1653.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)
  17. Image of the front of Bangor Abbey on a bright sunny day
    Bangor Abbey photographed from the graveyard side on a bright winters day
    Image of the front of Bangor Abbey on a bright sunny day
    Bangor Abbey photographed from the graveyard side on a bright winters day

    Bangor

    Address

    Newtownards Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4JF

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0069

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Abbey / Priory

    Founded in 558AD the main body of the building dates from 1830's, the tower from 15th century and steeple dates around 1693. Interesting gravestones include a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic, local man John Edward Simpson.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  18. Christine using the spinning wheel outside of the Kiri Cottage Crafts workshop
    Christine using the spinning wheel outside of the Kiri Cottage Crafts workshop
    Christine using the spinning wheel outside of the Kiri Cottage Crafts workshop
    Christine using the spinning wheel outside of the Kiri Cottage Crafts workshop

    Ardkeen

    Address

    Kiri Cottage, 6 Loughdoo Road, Ardkeen, County Down, BT22 1HJ

    Telephone

    +44 (0)7968 342 928

    Type

    Type:

    Craft Workshops and Courses

    Spinner, dyeing and knitting expert Christine Casey will help you find pleasure in the possibilities of wool. She empowers people with the knowledge, and hands on skills to go home and make. People with all level of skill can benefit from a trip to…

  19. Woman cuts her piece of silver to size to make her own ring with NI Silver
    Filing down a piece of silver for her jewellery
    Ruth leads the jewellery making sessions with helpful and friendly instruction
    Ruth of NI Silver talks through the process of making your own silver jewellery
    Guests get involved with each stage during an NI Silver workshop
    Women admire the jewellery they've made during the workshop with NI Silver
    NI Silver is based amongst the Holywood hills overlooking Belfast Lough
    Woman cuts her piece of silver to size to make her own ring with NI Silver
    Filing down a piece of silver for her jewellery
    Ruth leads the jewellery making sessions with helpful and friendly instruction
    Ruth of NI Silver talks through the process of making your own silver jewellery
    Guests get involved with each stage during an NI Silver workshop
    Women admire the jewellery they've made during the workshop with NI Silver
    NI Silver is based amongst the Holywood hills overlooking Belfast Lough

    Holywood

    Address

    Holywood, County Down

    Telephone

    +44 (0)7879 698 286

    Type

    Type:

    Craft Workshops and Courses

    Based in Holywood, County Down, NI Silver welcomes you to connect with a centuries-old tradition, through which you'll learn a new skill whilst creating your own unique piece of jewellery.

  20. Harlequin Grey  Alpaca called Splodge
    Grazing alpacas
    Female Alpaca with Cria
    Alpacas in their field
    Alpacas in a field
    Alpacas by a shed
    Three male alpacas
    Alpacas grazing
    Mural of alpacas at Ashtonelle Alpacas
    Mural of flowers at Ashtonelle Alpacas
    Harlequin Grey  Alpaca called Splodge
    Grazing alpacas
    Female Alpaca with Cria
    Alpacas in their field
    Alpacas in a field
    Alpacas by a shed
    Three male alpacas
    Alpacas grazing
    Mural of alpacas at Ashtonelle Alpacas
    Mural of flowers at Ashtonelle Alpacas

    Greyabbey

    Address

    23 Ballywalter Road, Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2RF

    Telephone

    07796692952

    Type

    Type:

    Cultural Learning Experiences

    Spend up to 45 minutes feeding the alpacas their favourite treats and learning all about them. There will be plenty of time to watch and enjoy the alpacas' company and take as many photographs as you like. You will also have time to see (and feel)…

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
View Maps and Visitor Guides
View of what Ards and North Down has to offer and some of the best things to see and do during a visit.
E-newsletter sign up
Sign up for the Ards and North Down newsletter for inspiration and travel tips.
Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss