About
Each Sunday throughout the summer months of June, July and August, Cockle will see activities and entertainment visiting the seaside village of Groomsport to provide an afternoon of FREE fun! No booking required, just come along.
The cottages are open Thursdays - Sundays, 4 June - 13 September 2026.
Little explores can also have a go at the sense trail, encouraging them to look, listen, smell and feel the natural surroundings of this special place. Pick up your free Explorers Pack/Senses Trail backpacks from the Visitor Information staff, inside, where you will also find a souvenir and summer fun essentials for the kids and you can wander the cottages to see what life was like for the family that lived there.
Cottages open from 11am - 5pm | Free admission
Free family fun will take place weekly, on Sundays only from 2pm to 4pm unless specified otherwise...
JUNE
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June | To celebrate the annual seasonal reopening of Cockle row Cottages, we’ve a double dose of entertainment and discovery this weekend. On Saturday 6 June, make sure you pop down and try a taste of history, with some of Christine’s deliciously tasty homemade soda bread, prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill from 2pm. And, on Sunday 7 June, the amazing NI School of Falconry spread their wings and swoop into Groomsport for the afternoon.
Sunday 14 June | Miss Fizz Wizz Pop will be creating another memorable magical Sunday at Cockle Row
Sunday 21 June | Don’t miss the fun and entertainment as our friends at Party Animals NI, based in Newtownards, bring their Furry Bunnies and Chinchillas to Creep Millipedes and Slimey Snails, oh, and, not forgetting, their scaly friends! Join the fun this Sunday for this interactive display.
Sunday 28 June | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature.
JULY
Sunday 5 July | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
Sunday 12 July | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey
Saturday 18 July | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 19 July | The fabulous Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer will be popping in for shows, perfect for little ones! And, NI School of Falconry will return with their beautiful birds of prey.
Sunday 26 July | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
AUGUST
Saturday 1 August | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey.
Sunday 2 August | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
Sunday 9 August | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey, and Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer.
Saturday 15 August | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 16 August | NI School of Falconry
Sunday 23 August | Welig Heritage Crafts - A show and tell of traditional crafting with willow
Saturday 29 August | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 30 August | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 5 September | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 6 September | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill, and Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer will be bringing colour and cheer to the cottages with shows perfect for little ones!
Sunday 13 September | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
More information on European Heritage Open Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September to follow.
Please note, details are subject to change.
Find out more about the picturesque village of Groomsport and Cockle Row, including information on seasonal tours of the village and on Groomsport Inclusive Beach.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Free to attend. No tickets required.
