Home to one of Northern Ireland’s most popular country parks and The Old Inn, which dates back to 1614, labelled as one of the region’s most historic hotels due in part to its links with author and 20th Century Literary icon C.S. Lewis....
Getting to Crawfordsburn
Just a little bit around the corner from the village of Helen's Bay, close to the City of Bangor, is Crawfordsburn. It lies on North Down coast of the Borough overlooking Belfast lough. Accessible from the main A2 carriageway between Belfast and Bangor, it is best accessed by road.
For public transport information (rail and bus), see Translink. The nearest rail stop is Helen's Bay.
See Sat Nav details and Distance Guide at the bottom of the page.
Plan your trip
Tranquil setting
The small tranquil village of Crawfordsburn grew around a 17th century coaching house which is now the luxury hotel it is today, The Old Inn, located opposite from Loaf Pottery and Coffee Shop. The village is now mainly a commuter suburb although it is home to one of Northern Ireland’s most popular country parks.
Country Park
The popular country park, which is free to access, boasts two excellent beaches, spectacular scenery, with views across Belfast Lough, and walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens where you will also find a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.
Both sandy beaches offer a gentle shelving and excellent water quality that are ideal for bathing. But take care - Crawfordsburn beach is occasionally effected by the wake from high speed ferries!
The country park’s facilities include a large visitor centre and café, an Adidas-approved 5K running trail, a new natural play area and a geology garden. Crawfordsburn Activity Centre is adjacent to the Country Park. It consists of 22 acres (9 hectares) of camping ground including several accommodation buildings. There is free parking at the country park, as well as public toilets and a café.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife which include hedgehogs, rabbits, badgers, a large rookery and jays in the wooded glen, grey wagtails and dippers along the streams and seals, herons, shags, guillemots. In winter, Brent geese can be seen when walking along the Park's coastal path.
North Down Coastal Path
Its coastal path is part of the North Down coastal path - a 16 mile route along one of the finest shoreline’s on the island. It is popular with walkers and runners alike.
Please be aware that sections of the North Down Coastal Path follow private roads. Please respect the Highway Code when walking, cycling or running along these sections where residential traffic will have right of way. Northern Ireland has very few public rights of way and therefore in many areas walkers can only enjoy countryside walks because of the goodwill and tolerance of local landowners. In the interests of your own safety please be respectful when using the area for recreational purposes.
Sat Nav details
Latitude: 54°39'34"N. Longitude: 5°43'53"W
Driving distances (approx, depending on route):
Belfast - Crawfordsburn | 20 minutes
Crawfordsburn - Bangor | 10 minutes
Portaferry - Crawfordsburn | 50 minutes (via Strangford Lough), or 1 hour and 10 minutes (via the east coast)
With tranquil walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens and a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.
