Free Things to Do in Ards and North Down

We have put together a list of highlights in the borough that you can do or visit for free, no matter the season, whether you are a local resident or a visitor to the borough. There is plenty to be enjoyed for all, for little to no money involved.

Nature lovers

North Down Coastal Path - Holywood to Portavoe
16 miles of scenic views and places to stop and explore. Nearby train stops at Holywood, Helen's Bay, Carnalea, Bangor West to name a few, means you can explore little bits of the path if you like.
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Crawfordsburn Country Park
A bustling beach and forest park which features a geo-park and wooden sculptures dotted within the woods. Find the waterfall then reward yourself with a bite from the Woodland Cafe.
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Balloo Nature Reserve, Bangor
The Nature reserve consists of two locations, nearby to each other, Balloo Wetland and Balloo Woodland. Each offer two different experiences and are little hidden gems to explore. 
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Ward Park, Bangor
Located just a short stroll from the centre of Bangor, this picturesque park is a hive for all sorts of activity - from people playing tennis, to bowls on the green. Follow the duckpond towards the aviary and the play park. Take a picnic and relax, surrounded by seasonal flora and fauna.
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Cairn Wood, Craigantlet (close to Bangor, Newtownards and Holywood)
A woodland forest popular with runners and dog walkers. Get away from it all or go orienteering among the conifers of this elevated forest that overlooks Ballysallagh trout-fishing reservoirs. Don't miss views of Clandeboye, Bangor, the coast of Antrim and even Scotland. 

Scrabo Tower and Country Park, Newtownards
Take the hilly walk to the tower that sits proudly overlooking Newtownards and beyond. Stunning views and well worth an explore. Extend your adventures by hopping on over to Killynether Wood, the two are separated by a quiet road and the car park area.
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Kiltonga Duck Pond, Newtownards
This lovely little spot provides a short loop of a walk around the lake. Look out for the statue of the goose taking flight.
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Island Hill and North Strangford Nature Reserve, Comber
Provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.
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Whiterock, Sketrick Island and Mahee Island, Newtownards-Killinchy
Stunning scenery for tranquil walks. 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 the hidden paths that run around Sketrick Island provide picture perfect views that everyone can enjoy.
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Ballyquintin, Portaferry
The beautiful coastal path passes through beaches and farmland.  The 47 Hectare farm is at the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula and is managed by the National Trust using traditional mixed farming methods.  There is a small car park, together with a 3-mile trail. The farm provides habitats to a range of increasingly rare farmland wildlife such as the Irish Hare. From the walk you can take in views across Strangford Lough to Killard Point and on a clear day you can see across the Irish sea to The Isle of Man.

Nugent's Wood, Portaferry
An idyllic walk that takes you parallel to the shoreline of Strangford Lough, in a loop round towards the back of Exploris Aquarium. Perfect for bluebell spotting in the spring. 
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Redburn Country Park, Holywood 
Featuring 7km of pathways and spectacular views and for those energetic visitors who climb to the top of the escarpment you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills. There are a variety of walks available in Redburn all of which start from the main car park.

Kearney
A cluster of fishermen’s cottages restored and managed by the National Trust.  Amble along the paths beside the rocky shoreline to Knockinelder Bay, a beautiful crescent of sand. Excellent birdwatching opportunities and views towards Scotland and the Isle of Man.  Overlooking Knockinelder Bay, Millin Bay cairn is an enigmatic neolithic burial site.
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Connect with nature

Whether you are in your back garden or out and about in one of our outdoor areas there are adventures to be had! Find inspiration from our Moved by Nature Calendar.
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Beach days

With 115 miles of beautiful coastline, discover our Seaside award-winning beaches – Groomsport, Millisle, Ballywalter, Cloughey and Crawfordsburn. Enjoy a paddle or a brisk water's edge walk
Find out more about our beaches

A little bit of history

Nendrum Monastic Site
Thought to date back to the 5th Century, with links to St Patrick in later sources.
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St Cooey's Wells
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 situated in this peaceful, wooded dell are reputed to have healing powers.
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The Ards and North Down Christian Heritage Trail
Visit key sites across the Borough that played an important role in the spread of Christianity.
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The Great Wars Trail
Discover how our borough played a significant role in past wars.
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Columban Way Heritage Trail
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 trail.
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The Portaferry Heritage Trail
This is one for all the family - Learn about Portaferry's rich history. Kids can enjoy the Explorer Pack, filled with fun facts and challenges to complete as you follow the trail.
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The Ropewalk Maritime Heritage Visitor Centre, Portaferry
Free admission. Get a glimpse into the villages deep maritime history and heritage. Great for those with an interest in Vikings especially! Seasonal opening.
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Something a little different

North Down Museum, Castle Park and Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Overlooking the city centre, nearby the Translink Bus and Rail station sits Bangor Town Hall, locally referred to as Bangor Castle, and also home the North Down Museum. Admission is free to this hub of history. Kids love the mini cinema showing old film reels of days gone by in the area; the mini display models of Viking villages as well of course as the life size Monks Hut. The building is nestled in the grounds of leafy Castle Park which you can explore independently, but to make it more interesting why not grab an Explorer's Pack from the museum to see what you can find. Just at the edge of the park, near Bangor Aurora and Aquatic Leisure Complex, is Bangor Castle Walled Garden, a favourite for so many visitors, and now open all year round!

Visit the Real Port Devine of BBC Series Hope Street...The Stunning Coastal Town of Donaghadee!

BBC TV series 'Hope Street' first hit our screens in late 2021, and is coming to the end of the third season, filmed entirely in the 'Beacon on the Coast', Donaghadee, or ‘The Dee’ as it is known to locals! Fans of the hit police drama are flocking to the thriving town to see it's seaside beauty.

Take a stroll through the town and around the seafront you will instantly recognise key film locations from the series, from the Police Station to the Harbour and Lighthouse and Port Devine's The Commodore pub.  Go a little further round the corner, taking in the rugged coastline and venture to The Commons where you can relax and enjoy the sea air.
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Two wheeled adventures

Why not bring the bikes to let the kids burn off a bit of energy at the new Pump Park in Killinchy?

Follow the Comber Greenway, a seven mile, traffic free section of the National Cycle Network. The cycle path starts in Belfast and finishes in Comber, providing views of Stormont Estate and Scrabo Tower along the way.

Explore Strangford Lough on two wheels. Find route inspiration here.

Play park tours

How many play parks can you visit in a day? List of borough play parks

More things to do

These are just a few ideas for free days out in Ards and North Down. Check out our Things to do section and further Blog articles for even more inspiration.

Need a little more guidance?

Contact the Visitor Information Centres where our trained advisors can help guide you on accommodation, attractions, and all that there is to do in our place on the island. 

Be sure to always check opening times of the attraction you plan to visit before travelling.

For information on our public transport system, routes and timetables, visit translink.co.uk.