What better way to spend quality time with family and friends than to pack a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors. With so many beautiful spots you will be spoilt for choice, from salty sea air to open green spaces or panoramic views from a hilltop the choice is yours, and what's better it's free!
Seaside adventures are waiting to be discovered along the coastline from Holywood, through North Down, along the Ards Peninsula and round Portaferry, with sandy beaches, rock pools and sheltered bays - don't forget your bucket and spade!
Many of the areas have picnic tables with amazing views, allowing you to sit back, relax and take it all in. It's a perfect opportunity to spot some wildlife, from birds to squirrels, seals to porpoise - be sure to pack your binoculars!
Crawfordsburn
Crawfordsburn Country Park
Bridge Road South, BT19 1JT
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Coastal and Woodland Walks
![Crawfordsburn Country Park and Beach](/dbimgs/Crawfordsburn.png)
Bangor
Balloo Woodland Nature Reserve
Balloo Crescent, BT19 7WP
Parking | Tables | Boardwalks
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Valentine Road, Castle Park, BT20 4BT
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Play Area | Walks
Kingsland Play and Picnic Area
Seacliff Road near Ballyholme, BT20 5HT
Parking | Tables | Play Area | Tennis Courts
Pickie Funpark
Westside of the Marina, BT20 4DA
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Play Area | Children's Activities | Coastal Walk
Ward Park
Gransha Road, BT20 4TG
Parking | Toilets | Play Area | Walks | Tennis Courts | Ponds with wildfowl
Groomsport
Cockle Row Cottages
Harbour area, BT19 6JP
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Outdoor splash pads | Beach - Made Inclusive, in summer months by the Mae Murray Foundation
![A trio of images showing Groomsport and Donaghadee](/dbimgs/Groomsport, Donaghadee.png)
Donaghadee
Dorman's Isle, BT21 OHY (continue along road after pier)
Parking | Tables | Harbour | Coastal Walk
The Commons, BT21 OLB (outskirts of town on Millisle side)
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Coastal Walk | Play Area | Tennis Courts
Millisle
Millisle Beach Park
Ballywalter Road, BT22 2HS
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Play Area | Beach Park | Award Winning Beach | Community Garden
Ballywalter
Harbour area, BT22 2PL
Parking | Tables | Beach | Play Ship
South Beach, BT22 2JZ
Tables | Toilets | Play Area | Award Winning Beach
Whitechurch Road, BT22 2JZ
Parking | Tables | Beach
![A trio of images showing Millisle, Ballywalter and Ballyhalbert](/dbimgs/Millisle, Ballywalter.png)
Ballyhalbert
Burr Point, BT22 2PP
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Beach
Portavogie
Anchor Car Park
Harbour Road, Lawson Park, BT22 1EX
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Beach | Promenade | Play Area
Cloughey
The Warren, Main Street, BT22 1JB
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Beach | Board Walk | Play Area
![Two images showing Cloughey Beach](/dbimgs/Cloughey.png)
Portaferry
Castle Park at Exploris Aquarium, BT22 1NZ
Parking | Tables | Toilet | Play Area
Cook Street, BT22 1LB
Parking | Tables
Knockinelder at Quinton Bay, BT22 1QP
Parking | Tables | Beach
Windmill Hill, BT22 1RH
Parking | Tables | View Point
![A trio of images showing Portaferry](/dbimgs/Portaferry(3).png)
Kircubbin
Shore Road - north end, BT22 2RP
Parking
Shore Road - south end, BT22 2RP
Parking | Tables | Toilets
Killinchy
Whiterock Road, Ballydorn, BT23 6QB
Parking | Tables | Toilets
Greyabbey
Grey Abbey, BT22 2NQ
Parking | Toilets | Historic Monument
Comber
Island Hill, BT23 5JR (Ringcreevy Road, off dual carriageway between Ards and Comber)
Parking | Tables | Toilets | Walk | View Point
![Two images showing Island Hill, Comber](/dbimgs/Island Hill(1).png)
Newtownards
Cunningburn (near Mount Stewart), BT22 2AJ
Parking | Tables | Toilets
Kiltonga Nature Reserve, BT23 4FY
Parking | Tables | Duck Pond Walk | Wheelchair access
Scrabo Tower and Country Park, BT23 4SJ
Tables | Toilets | View Point | Forest Walks
For more information on picnicing in Ards and North Down and any further advice, contact our Visitor Information Centre team.