The museum packs a lot of history into a small but delightful space - a great spot for all ages!
Free, family, museum, north down, historical society, talks, history, tours, castle park, town hall
If you are planning a day out, please check individual provider websites before you leave the house to confirm if they are open or closed and avoid any disappointment. Many providers have pre-booking systems and new regulations in place to keep you safe, when you are out and about please follow public health guidance found on the Public Health Agency website and the latest NI Executive guidance found on the NI Direct website.
North Down Museum is reopening Tuesday 25 May (updated Monday 17 May 2021)
North Down Museum is part of the Columban Way, a heritage trail between Comber and Bangor covering 20 miles (32 km). A trail to experience the area’s rich and diverse history, Bronze Age relics, monastic settlements, Viking attacks, industrial heritage and military influences in both the First and Second World Wars, are just some points of interest you will discover along the way. Find out more about the Columban Way Heritage Trail.
Welcome Back!
Rediscover all that North Down Museum has to offer! Explore our local history as you browse the museum’s galleries. Learn about the Vikings in Bangor, the Early Christian Heritage of the area and lots more! The museum also has two new exhibitions on display; ‘NI100, Our Borough, Our People’ which looks at local achievers from the past 100 years and ‘NI Centenary, Local Leadership, National Impact’ which examines the history of how Northern Ireland was established and puts it into the local context of the time.
Coffee Cure, the museum’s coffee shop will also be open for breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks with seating both inside and outdoors in the newly refurbished courtyard.
The safety of visitors and staff is upmost priority at this time and work has been carried out behind the scenes to ensure your visit will be as safe as possible. Watch the one way museum walkthrough video
North Down Museum is situated at the rear of the Town Hall, Bangor Castle, on Castle Park Avenue. The Castle, built for the Hon. R.E. Ward in 1852, had a courtyard and stables and the Museum has developed around these, it tells the story of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day through a series of rooms, each dedicated to a particular era of history. Key artefacts on display include the Bronze Age Ballycroghan Swords, the Bangor Bell from the hugely important Bangor Abbey settlement, and the Raven Maps, the only complete folio of Plantation era maps in Ireland.
North Down Museum is a FREE attraction in the heart of Bangor. Here you can also rest and enjoy a meal or snack in Coffee Cure, the Museum café.
Check out the Museums Explorers Pack for the kids! A fantastic way to get out and about feeding inquisitive minds (small deposit required).
Take a virtual walk through the museum with this video.
Exhibitions
North Down Museum houses three temporary exhibition spaces, the Long Gallery, Community Gallery and Café, which host fascinating heritage-based and art exhibitions telling the story of the local area. Our heritage exhibitions are curated by museum staff or in partnership with local heritage groups while our art exhibitions are from local artists and community groups.
Admission to our galleries and exhibitions is free.
Check out current and upcoming exhibitions
'What We Wore' Exhibition Online
The recent exhibition which orginally opened in The Long Gallery at the end of September includes garments ranging from civic ceremonial robes to wedding dresses and children's clothes.
The exhibition which showcases the museum's small but fascinating clothing collection. If you missed it here is the chance to view a virtual version. View the exhibition online.
Great Wars Trail
North Down Museum, adjacent to Bangor Castle houses a fascinating exhibition on both Wars including the original Victoria Cross awarded to Barry Bingham for his actions at the Battle of Jutland, alongside personal items. There is also a small scale replica of the ‘Lone Sailor’ sculpture, presented to Bangor in recognition of those who offered American GIs a “home away from home”.
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
The nearby award-winning Walled Garden, is set in the tranquil grounds of Castle Park. The garden is divided into four different sections, each with its own horticultural personality. It also boasts two unique pieces of sculpture inspired by the Borough's maritime history. Read more about the garden on the Bangor Castle Walled Garden page.
