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Tour of the Ards Peninsula This tour takes as a starting point Greyabbey and traveling clockwise around the Ards peninsula comments on most of the town and villages on the peninsula. You may of course start and end your tour from the destination of your choice. |
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| Mount Stewart House and Gardens A short distance from Greyabbey is Mount Stewart owned by the National Trust. This impressive eighteenth century mansion housing works of art collected from around the world is complemented with one of the greatest gardens in the British Isles it is home to the influential Londonderry family. Extending to 98 Acres the Estate includes Sunken, Shamrock and Italian gardens as well as the amazing Dodo Terrace with its extraordinary concoction of concrete animal statues. The Temple of the Winds a highly unusual octagonal 18th Century banqueting hall also situated on the estate. It is however for its magnificent gardens that Mount Stewart is internationally renowned. |
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Scrabo Tower As you head towards the old Market Town of Newtownards you will be able to see one of the areas most recognisable Landmarks, Scrabo Tower, perched high above Newtownards. This imposing edifice was built in 1857 as a memorial to the Third Marquis of Londonderry. The tower stands in Scrabo Country Park with Woodland walks and parkland. A climb of 122 steps will take visitors to the open viewing level which gives spectacular views across Strangford Lough, The Mourne Mountains, Belfast and beyond to Scotland. |
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Newtownards Newtownards is the principal town of the area and is situated at the northern tip of Strangford Lough. It offers a large variety of shops to cater for all tastes and is also home to Ards Shopping Centre a large covered complex on the edge of the town with over 50 various shops from large supermarket chain outlets to small gift shops. Each week Newtownards retains its tradition of a market town with an open-air market held in Conway Square in the town centre on Saturdays. Newtownards also houses the areas main Tourist information centre and craft shop located in Regent Street beside the towns Bus Station. |
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Bangor Cutting across the top of the peninsula past the Somme Heritage centre 5 miles from Newtownards lies Bangor. Strictly speaking Bangor is located outside of the area normally associated with the Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough however due to its close proximity and varied attractions it is well worth a mention. Bangor a quality maritime resort is one of the main tourist destinations and recognised as one of Northern Irelands major event locations. Overlooking Irelands largest marina the beautiful landscaped gardens and promenade lead to the Pickie Family Fun Park. This seaside oasis includes spectacular swan pedal boats, children’s paddling pools, and sandpits and adventure playground. Bangor has a vast range of shops including the Flagship centre a short stroll from the marina. Bangor is well known to Northern Ireland people as the place to “Party” with a host of night-club’s Discos and traditional pubs, other indoor attractions include Bangor Cineplex, which offers a 6-screen cinema and ten-pin bowling alley. The North Down Heritage centre ensures that holidaymakers will be spoilt for choice should you visit this location. |
| Donaghadee Sure it's Six miles from Bangor to Donaghadee” As the song says six miles from Bangor lies Donaghadee. Once again the character of this small Seaside Town with its Stone Harbour and Lighthouse will charm the visitor. Donaghee is home to one of the RNLI Lifeboat stations a voluntary organisation offering mariners rescue facilities 365 days a year. It is from Donaghadee that splendid views across the Irish Sea towards Scotland and Cumbria can be had. Donaghadee is also a popular spot for sea angling and offers various boat trips and charters from the harbour including tours around Copeland Islands during the summer months. |
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Millisle Further south along the coast road lies Millisle a fun filled seaside village with amusement park, shops, pubs and an open-air salt-water swimming pool. There are several caravan sites located close to this village due to the quality of the long clean sandy beaches. Situated a short distance inland is Ballycopeland windmill a fully restored windmill still remains in operation. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the windmill and follow the milling process from corn into flour. A visitor centre is also on site |
| Ballywalter Once again travelling south along the A2 a short distance brings you to Ballywalter. Formally a fishing village Ballywalter is now typical of the tranquil lifestyle enjoyed by the inhabitants of this area. Local fishermen still lay pots or creels for lobsters and crabs and during the summer months dulce (local sun dried seaweed) is harvested and can be seen spread out on the harbour to dry. Ballywalter and its close neighbour Ballyhalbert are popular day-trip destinations. Their golden strands are widely used for all types of water sports. Ballywalter Park a fine example of an early Victorian country house and garden is nearby |
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Ballyhalbert Ballyhalbert is the next port of call along our coastal tour it has the distinction of being the most easterly part of Ireland. Mostly residential Ballyhalbert has a small harbour and like its neighbours Ballywalter and Millisle is also home to a large caravan site which was formerly a RAF base during the second world war. |
| Portavogie A short distance from Ballyhalbert is one of the most important fishing ports in Northern Ireland. The harbour here is home to a fleet of traditional fishing boats and there are several seafood processing plants located within the village. Visitors rarely leave without purchasing some of its famous prawns and herrings. In the harbour can often be seen several of the local seals who are keen to snap up a tasty morsel from the returning boats. Until very recently, Portavogie was one of the few villages in Ireland without a pub, but there is now a pub open on the quays where you can now legally purchase a Guinness or an Irish Whiskey |
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| Cloughey Still travelling south we come to Cloughey which boasts a magnificent sweeping beach with acres of sand dunes. Kirkistown Castle is an interesting 16th century historical feature and overlooks Kirkistown Golf course. Nearby is Kirkistown International race circuit a regular venue for car and motor cycle races. A short distance beyond Cloughey and still on the coast road lies Kearney a traditional fishing village which has been carefully restored and maintained by the National Trust. From Kearney we head west towards Portaferry, passing St Cowey’s Wells, holy wells founded in the 7th century and a reputed to have remarkable restorative powers even to this day, this tranquil site is worthy of a visit to sample the cool refreshing waters. |
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Portaferry Continuing around the point of the peninsula, the next stop in our tour is the picturesque town of Portaferry. Portaferry is a small port with traditional shops, pubs and Market Square. It has grown from its beginnings as a centre for fishing and other maritime industries such as shipbuilding and rope making. Portaferry is home to Exploris, the award-winning Northern Ireland Aquarium, Portaferry also offers its own collection of antique shops art galleries and gift shops. Leaving Portaferry towards Kircubbin the homeward leg of our tour begins. |
Kircubbin Kircubbin is situated on the mid-eastern shore of Strangford Lough and enjoys panoramic views across the Lough and north towards Newtownards and Scrabo Tower. The original part of the village is of the classic Ribbon Development with a range of everyday shops and pubs. Kircubbin is also home to one of the three Sailing clubs on this side of the Lough. |
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Greyabbey Last but by no means least 4 miles north of Kircubbin lies Greyabbey. Site of the Cistercian Abbey from which the village takes its name. The village is a popular place for antique lovers with its numerous antique, craft and Gift shops. |