The official website of Visit Ards and North Down
En

Attractions & Activities

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
Entertainment
Location

Number of results: 120

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Windmill Hill in Portaferry.Close up photo of the windmill
    Photo on a bright day of the Strangford Ferry with Windmill Hill and Portaferry in the backdrop
    A photo of the picturesque view of Portaferry town from Strangford Lough. The Strangford Ferry is in the shot.
    Photo of Windmill Hill and Portaferry lit in the evening
    Windmill Hill in Portaferry.Close up photo of the windmill
    Photo on a bright day of the Strangford Ferry with Windmill Hill and Portaferry in the backdrop
    A photo of the picturesque view of Portaferry town from Strangford Lough. The Strangford Ferry is in the shot.
    Photo of Windmill Hill and Portaferry lit in the evening

    Portaferry

    Address

    Windmill Hill, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RH

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9182 6846

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Viewpoint

    Situated on the hill south east of the town below the stump of Portaferry Windmill, a lay by and a viewpoint has been provided. One can enjoy a breath-taking view of Strangford Lough from the mouth of the Lough to Greyabbey.

    Price

    Free
  2. 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)
  3. Newtownards Priory from street view

    Newtownards

    Address

    Court Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7NY

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Abbey / Priory

    At the south east edge of Newtownards these substantial remains of a Dominican (Black) Friary founded in 1244 may be viewed. They are the only ones of their type in Northern Ireland.

    Price

    Free
  4. arial photo of part of the lough
    photograph showing a field of sunflowers
    a photo showing the lough with the mountains in the background
    arial photo of part of the lough
    photograph showing a field of sunflowers
    a photo showing the lough with the mountains in the background

    Portaferry

    Address

    8 Ballyquintin Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1RG

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 4461 5520

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Nature and Wildlife

    Ballyquintin Nature Reserve includes Ballyquintin Point at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, County Down where the Irish Sea enters Strangford Lough.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)
  5. 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
  6. Photos of shop merchandise to buy
    Photos of shop merchandise to buy
    Photo of driving range lit at night
    Photos of shop merchandise to buy
    Photos of shop merchandise to buy
    Photo of driving range lit at night

    Groomsport

    Address

    101 Springwell Road, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6LX

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9147 3586

    Type

    Type:

    Driving Range

    Groomsport Golf Centre has been established for 22 years, we have 16 inside floodlit bays and over 100 yards of outside hitting bays. Our shop is well stocked with the latest brands at the best prices with our speciality being the golf trolley market

  7. External building of museum with adjoining Town Hall building in background
    External building main entrance to Museum
    Visitors enjoying the cafe
    Stained glass window
    Sign displaying the words The Raven Maps
    The replica Monks cell
    Model bygone village
    Viking Helmet and shield
    Photo of the Viking gallery display within North Down Museum
    Cinema room display
    External building of museum with adjoining Town Hall building in background
    External building main entrance to Museum
    Visitors enjoying the cafe
    Stained glass window
    Sign displaying the words The Raven Maps
    The replica Monks cell
    Model bygone village
    Viking Helmet and shield
    Photo of the Viking gallery display within North Down Museum
    Cinema room display

    Bangor

    Address

    Bangor City Hall, Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BT

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 1200

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Visitor Centres & Museums

    Visit North Down Museum to explore the fascinating saga of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Museum takes you on a journey through Early Christian heritage and the Vikings to Scottish Settlers and the Victorians.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking

    Facilities

    Establishment Features

    • Wifi
  8. Photo of golfers in play on the green

    Bangor

    Address

    150 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1GB

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9185 2706

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland Golf Course

    Premier pay and play golf facility with open Stableford every Friday. Visitors are always most welcome to come along and play the course..

  9. 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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Oct 2026to28 Feb 2027Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Mar 2027to30 Sept 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
  10. Trees
    The view from Redburn over Holywood and across Belfast Lough
    Trees
    The view from Redburn over Holywood and across Belfast Lough

    Holywood

    Address

    Old Holywood Road, Holywood, County Down, BT4 2HL

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9185 3621

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Redburn Country Park is set on an escarpment above Belfast Lough. There are 7km of pathways with spectacular views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills.

    Price

    Free

    Facilities

    Provider Preferences

    • Free (parking charges may apply)

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  11. Image of the leisure waters at Bangor Aurora including play Pirate ship and water slides
    Image of the external of Bangor Aurora showing the gym lit up in the evening
    External image of the front entrance to Bangor Aurora
    Image of the leisure waters at Bangor Aurora including play Pirate ship and water slides
    Image of the external of Bangor Aurora showing the gym lit up in the evening
    External image of the front entrance to Bangor Aurora

    Bangor

    Address

    3 Valentine Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TH

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0271

    Type

    Type:

    Swimming Pool

    Bangor Aurora Leisure complex is situated in the heart of Bangor. Featuring 3 swimming pools, leisure waters and extensive gym facilities the Aurora offers a great family fun day out.

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  12. Photo of golfers in play on the green with waters of Belfast Lough in background
    Photo of golfers in play on the green with waters of Belfast Lough in background
    Photo of golfers in play on the green with waters of Belfast Lough in background
    Photo of golfers in play on the green with waters of Belfast Lough in background

    Bangor

    Address

    Station Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1EZ

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0368

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland Golf Course

    There has been a course at Carnalea for over 100 years. Indeed Carnalea became Ireland’s first municipal golf club in 1927. Its beautiful seaside setting has superb views over Belfast Lough and the Antrim hills beyond. Long on history and ...

    Facilities

    Catering

    • Restaurant on site
  13. 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
  14. Golfer on the course
    A wide view of the golf course
    A photo showing the fold course and the beach the runs parallel to it
    Golfer on the course
    A wide view of the golf course
    A photo showing the fold course and the beach the runs parallel to it

    Helen's Bay

    Address

    Golf Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1TL

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9185 2815

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland Golf Course

    Helen’s Bay Golf Club is one of the prettiest golf courses in the North Down/Greater Belfast area. Founded in 1896, it nestles on a gentle hill over Belfast Lough in the middle of a quaint village.

    Facilities

    Catering

    • Restaurant on site
  15. Male and female couple at kitchen table with Tracey.  The male is pouring baking flour from bag into a bowl.
    Tracey with a male and female couple making soda bread at table in Tracey's kitchen
    group of 4 adults, 2 male and 2 female enjoying tea baked soda bread at a table in Tracey's Kitchen
    Tracey and guests in the external courtyard of the Farmhouse
    Ladies making soda bread on the griddle
    Male and female couple at kitchen table with Tracey.  The male is pouring baking flour from bag into a bowl.
    Tracey with a male and female couple making soda bread at table in Tracey's kitchen
    group of 4 adults, 2 male and 2 female enjoying tea baked soda bread at a table in Tracey's Kitchen
    Tracey and guests in the external courtyard of the Farmhouse
    Ladies making soda bread on the griddle

    Killinchy

    Address

    52A Ballymorran Road, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6UD

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 7711 484 850

    Gradings

    • Five Star Quality Assurance
    Five Star Quality Assurance

    Type

    Type:

    Cookery School

    Tracey's cottage is located only 30 minutes from Belfast in a Marine Nature Reserve on Strangford Lough. Join her to make Soda and Wheaten Breads and to enjoy a feast of homemade treats around the Farmhouse Kitchen table. A hands on experience.

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Ramp / Level Access
    • Ramp to main entrance

    Facilities

    Establishment Features

    • Wifi
    • Wi-fi available
  16. Photo of Formula 1 race car
    Photo of two competing go kart race drivers
    Group of men
    Group of children with medals and trophies after a successful football match
    Trophies
    A group of men
    A laser quest participant in action
    A group of children posing for a photo ready to play laser quest
    A man using the Race-2-Drive game
    Photo of Formula 1 race car
    Photo of two competing go kart race drivers
    Group of men
    Group of children with medals and trophies after a successful football match
    Trophies
    A group of men
    A laser quest participant in action
    A group of children posing for a photo ready to play laser quest
    A man using the Race-2-Drive game

    Bangor

    Address

    41 Balloo Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7PG

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9145 1457

    Type

    Type:

    Motor Sports and Karting

    Race around an indoor karting track designed by Formula One superstar Eddie Irvine. Enjoy the adrenaline rush as you make your way around the track racing your friends.

    Facilities

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
  17. Photo showing view from golf club across the green

    Bangor

    Address

    Broadway, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4RH

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0922

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland Golf Course

    Bangor Golf Club is situated on the outskirts of Bangor overlooking Belfast lough and the Antrim Hills. It is a Private Members Club with upwards of 1,000 playing and social members. Bangor Golf Club was founded in 1903 with a nine hole golf course.

    Facilities

    Catering

    • Restaurant on site
  18. An image of Helen's Bay beach from the shore with a bench ready to welcome someone to sit
    A photo of Helen's Bay beach on a beautiful summers day with green grass and yellow flowers on the shore
    a photograph of a sandy beach
    a photograph of a sandy beach
    An image of Helen's Bay beach from the shore with a bench ready to welcome someone to sit
    A photo of Helen's Bay beach on a beautiful summers day with green grass and yellow flowers on the shore
    a photograph of a sandy beach
    a photograph of a sandy beach

    Helens Bay

    Address

    Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helens Bay, County Down, BT20 5ED

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9127 0069

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Beautiful sandy beach with excellent facilities, all within twenty minutes drive of Belfast.

    Price

    Free
  19. Photo of Mahee Castle, with bridge way and water to forefront

    Comber

    Address

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

    Telephone

    +44 (0) 28 9082 3207

    Price

    Free

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. The house was built in 1570 by an English soldier called Captain Browne. Today, it is badly ruined but still of considerable interest.

    Price

    Free
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