You’re only a short trip from the lively sights of Belfast but, as you drive, the views open up to reveal green fields, interesting buildings and an abundance of wildlife. You’re in the heart of County Down’s farming and fishing community, and there are so many interesting villages and towns to explore along the way.
If you’re interested in learning about the area’s history, including the pre-Christian sacred sites or the Plantation of Ulster, you’ll find plenty of information on various
interpretive signs at the key stopping points.
Leaving Belfast, your first landmarks are the coastal towns of Holywood and Bangor in North Down.
Escape the busy capital city, and enjoy the colourful streets, interesting boutiques and delicious coffee shops, as well as fascinating history and heritage of the area.
The Ards Peninsula is well-known as the “Creative Peninsula” so if you’re hoping to pick up a unique souvenir of your visit, or try some artisan produce, keep your eyes open for craft shops, galleries and farm shops. The area’s Visitor
Information Centres also showcase plenty of local talent, be sure to pick up a souvenir!
Although you’ve left the busy capital city behind, Holywood and Bangor also have bustling high streets, interesting boutiques and coffee shops, as well as plenty to see
and do while you’re there. Slightly further along the coast is the pretty seaside town of Groomsport.
There’s a great play park if the family needs a break and the town has a more relaxing feel.
Many of the towns have heritage trails, including Holywood, Donaghadee, Millisle, Ballywalter, Portavogie and Portaferry.
You can download trail guides from visitstrangfordlough.co.uk or ask in any local Visitor Information Centre.
Did you know? The Scottish settlers...
This area was a key site in the Plantation of Ulster in the 1600s by settlers from Scotland and beyond. Communities here still have strong links to Ulster-Scots culture.
On Your Journey…
The Irish Sea coast of The Ards Peninsula (and indeed the entire Strangford Lough area) is packed with things to do and places to see, both indoor and outdoor.
Take your pick from a huge range of outdoor activities, from sailing and canoeing to walking and birdwatching. You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly attractions and places to visit.
Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the UK, and Northern Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve. Visit Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry to find out about it’s inhabitants.
For those who appreciate knowing that its beauty and interest is officially recognised, you’ll also understand why it’s designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.
Yes, the land is so green because of plentiful, soft rain! However, this is a 365 days a year place to visit. There’s something for everyone to enjoy on this part of your trip
and language.
Friendly Towns and Villages…
Holywood is a town with a lively cafe culture, making it a great pitstop. Specialist boutiques and friendly pubs, delis and cafes provide an interesting mix. At one
end of the town’s Main Street is Holywood Priory, on the site of a 7th century monastery. The 12th century Anglo-Norman ruins that remain are well preserved.
You should make time to walk on the North Down coastal path. This 16 mile path runs from Holywood to Orlock, near Groomsport, and you can join the walk at lots of entry points en route.
The shoreline gives you a real flavour of the varied landscape, as it moves from rocky coast to mudflat and marsh, interspersed with lovely sandy beaches.
Wildlife watchers will find plenty of thrills, including seals at Ballymacormick, Orlock and Rockport. Birdlife varies according to the season, so there’s always something interesting to spot.
Look out for the colony of Black Guillemots, also known as Bangor Penguins!
In Bangor, North Down Museum is Northern Ireland’s most visited small museum, housed in a courtyard behind Bangor Castle. It gives you a great introduction to
the region’s wildlife, history and archaeology. Don’t miss the Bronze Age Ballycrochan Swords and the Bangor Bell. Learn more about the Plantation of Ulster from the Raven Maps - the only complete folio of Plantation maps in Ireland.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award winning Walled Garden, on the grounds of Bangor Castle, is another treasure. Like many walled gardens, it feels like a secret sanctuary in the middle of a busy town and the horticulture is vibrant. Bangor Marina is lively and colourful too, as is the legendary
Pickie Funpark, kids love the mini-golf and giant pedal swans.
Groomsport was once a fishing harbour, and evidence remains at the thatched fishermen’s cottages of Cockle Row. You’ll find the Visitor Information Centre inside one of the cottages. The village has picnic and play areas, a sandy beach and plenty of fine places to find refreshment.
You’re closer to Scotland in Donaghadee than anywhere else on this route. The lovely seafront is backed up by great restaurants and cafes. From here, you can take a trip to see the Copeland Islands. The island was once used by smugglers, but you’re more likely to see birdwatchers today. It’s great fun to climb aboard one of the regular summer boat trips.
Once you’ve walked to the end of the Pier, enjoy the view from Donaghadee lighthouse. You should be able to spot the Scottish coast.
As you leave Donaghadee and head along the route you will enter the seaside village of Millisle.
Ballycopeland Windmill is one of Northern Ireland’s last remaining windmills, complete with sails, and is just west of Millisle. It was built at the turn of the 19th century, and worked until the First World War, the visitor information centre on-site tells the history.
The award winning Beach Park has a lovely sandy beach, sea water lagoon, picnic and play areas with a fabulous Pirate Play Ship, well worth a stop.
Nearby Eden Pottery has a pottery shop and airy cafe, as well as facilities to make or paint your own creation allowing you to take home a memory of your day.
Why not... Stay a while!
With a wide variety of accommodation available,why not book in and stay a night somewhere along the route? Check out all the options online.
A slight detour towards Strangford Lough, and away from the coast, takes you to the National Trust property of Mount Stewart and Greyabbey village. Mount Stewart
is the neo-classical ancestral home of the Londonderry family, and has exceptional gardens with a lake.
The Temple of the Winds has beautiful views over the lough, and house tours are available.
Nearby Greyabbey is famous for antique shopping, as well as the Grey Abbey that gives the village its name. You can bring a picnic and wander among the ruins of the Anglo-Norman church.
Driving into Ballywalter you can see the harbour stretching into the sea, this is the evidence of a busy port back in the early 17th century and still dominates the village
today. Nearby is Ballywalter Park, home of Lord Dunleath and one of Ulster’s finest Victorian houses.
Just south of the harbour is a wide stretch of sandy shore perfect for a paddle, walk or picnic.
At Glastry Nature Reserve, near Ballyhalbert, you’ll find flooded clay pits managed as a wildlife reserve by The National Trust. Ireland’s most easterly point, Burr
Point, is on the headland, while Burial Island lies offshore. Rumours of Viking treasure on the island have never been proven!
The next village brings you into the heart of County Down’s fishing community, in Portavogie. The busy harbour is the hub of the village, and there are two beautiful
sandy beaches to explore. The village has a new heritage trail, where you can learn more about its maritime history.
Cloughey village is another good stopping point - the Warren Car Park has picnic sites and scenic walks on the boardwalk through to the beautiful sandy beach sprinkled with shells.
The National Trust manages the 18th century fishing village of Kearney further along the coast. As well as coastal walks, take in the whitewashed cottages and get a
sense of the way of life of fishing families in times past.
Ballyquintin Point is at the tip of The Ards Peninsula. Take in a bracing walk and some birdwatching. You’ll spot migratory birds, waders and wildfowl. Great views lead your eye towards Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Mourne Mountains.
Portaferry is the last stop on this zone of the route. It sits alongside
the channel of water known as The Narrows, at the entrance to Strangford Lough. A walk to Windmill Hill will reward you with tremendous, sweeping views over the lough.
The town itself has plenty to offer, including The Portico of Ards, an arts and heritage Centre, Portaferry Castle (a 16th century tower house) and Northern Ireland's only Aquarium, Exploris which also houses a Visitor Information point within it.
Portaferry boasts a Game of Thrones Door, located in Fiddlers Green just off the Square, be sure to call in and get your Game of Thrones Passport stamped. A short ferry crossing runs between Portaferry and Strangford, and takes you onto the next stage of your journey.
Strangford Lough Ferry Service:
Strangford – Portaferry:
Departs on the hour and the half hour.
Portaferry – Strangford:
Departs at quarter past and quarter to the hour.
+44 (0)300 200 7898
TEXT: ‘Ferry’ to 67300 for updates or go to,
nidirect.gov.uk/articles/strangford-ferry-timetable
For information on the extended tour taking in Zones 2 (Portaferry to Newcastle) and 3 (Newcastle to Newry) please see visitmournemountains.co.uk.
The Mourne Coastal Route is a driving trail, taking you from Belfast via North Down, the Ards Peninsula, County Down coastline, Mourne Mountains and on to the city of Newry. The route leads you through some of the most scenic views in all of Ireland.
