Newtownards

The 'heart of the Ards Peninsula', Newtownards, locally known as ‘Ards’, is a large town that lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough.

Getting to Newtownards

Easy to get to 

Travel to us by land, sea or air with major airports and seaports close by. Sail into our ports via Liverpool and Cairnryan, Scotland. From George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast Docks, you can reach Newtownards in under 20 minutes, and Belfast International Airport is just 35km away from gateway to Ards and North Down, Holywood.

Short travel times direct from major cities 

We are located only 2 hours from Dublin by road and 90 minutes from London and Amsterdam by air. With great public transport links, getting here is straight forward. Or, hire a car for the freedom to explore the stunning landscapes, coastal walks and even more of our towns and villages nearby to Newtownards.

Best accessed by road and Translink public transport (bus).

See Sat Nav details and Distance Guide at the bottom of the page.

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Iconic Newtownards Sights

The town of Newtownards is overlooked by Scrabo Tower, which is one of the dominant features of the area. The tower is 41 metres high, and was built in 1857 as a memorial to Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.

Scrabo Grounds are open daily with free admission. The Tower stands tall in Scrabo Country Park with its woodland walks and parkland through Killynether Wood. The woods give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the quiet and peaceful countryside. Please note, the Tower is currently closed to visitors. The Tower is maintained by the Department for Communities. 

Universal Pictures filmed several scenes of the new Dracula Untold film at Scrabo Country Park and Killynether Wood. This is one of many of the locations used for filming across Northern Ireland. Find out more about filming locations in Ards and North Down.

In and around the town centre itself, you will discover iconic pieces of history, such as Newtownards Priory, substantial remains of a Dominican (Black) Friar, The Ards Priory (also referred to as The Priory), which forms part of the Great Wars Trail and Columban Way Heritage Trail. Founded in 1244, they are the only ones of their type in Northern Ireland. 

Sir Hugh Montgomery, who settled this area when the Ulster-Scots arrived in the early 1600's, restored the church in 1607 and added a small chapel. However, it fell into disrepair in the middle of the 18th-century to what you see today. The Priory is currently not open to the public because of ongoing conservation work.

Another iconic landmark in the town is The Market Cross, located in the town centre, which dates from 1636 and it marked where once markets and events were held. 

The focul point of the town centre is Conway Square. Flanked by retailers, coffee shops and eateries, it is always full of life. Beside the pretty Ards Arts Centre, previously the Town Hall, and originally the Market House, constructed in 1770, you will find the statue of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO and Three Bars. Born in Newtownards, in 1915, Mayne was a British Army soldier, Ireland and British Lions rugby union international, lawyer, amateur boxer and a founding member of the Special Air Service (SAS). During the course of the Second World War he became one of the British Army's most highly decorated soldiers.

It is within Conway Square that the weekly market is held, every Saturday. Find out more about the market.

Eat and Drink in Newtownards

Indulge your tastebuds in one of the many eateries in the town - from restaurants serving fresh local ingredients, farm to fork, pubs serving up warming pub-grub, as well as coffee shops from which to watch the world go by.

Find out more about Food and Drink in the Borough

Golfing in Newtownards

Scrabo Golf Club set in the shadow of its famous tower, has its own unique personality and is a favourite amongst Northern Ireland golfers. The course offers magnificent views over Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains. Renowned for its narrow, gorse-bordered fairways, accurate driving is essential, no more so than at the 424m par 4 1st hole which Christy O'Connor Senior described as one of the best opening holes in Ireland.

In nearby Conlig, situated between Newtownards and the City of Bangor, is Clandeboye Golf Club, a deservedly popular club boasting two excellent courses, the Dufferin and the Ava. The vistas from the Dufferin Course over Belfast Lough and the Scottish Coast beyond, and Strangford Lough from the Ava Course create a perfect golfing ambience. 

The Bradshaw's Brae Golfing Centre, run by Gorden Fairweather P.G.A. Professional, is near to the town centre, offering the perfect opportunity for skill practice.

Find out more about golf in Ards and North Down.

Ulster-Scots in Newtownards

In 1605, Hugh Montgomery was granted the lands and set about rebuilding what was by then known as Newtown, later expanded to Newtownards. Official records show the town was established in 1606. Montgomery built a residence in the ruins of the Old Priory, the tower of which remains. Find out more about the Ulster-Scots influence on Newtownards.

Highlights of Newtownards

• Enjoy 360 degree scenic views taking in the stunning Strangford Lough at Scrabo Tower and Killynether Country Park;
• If golf is your thing, Scrabo Golf Club beside the Tower makes for a unique play;
• Take a short walk around the lake at Kiltonga Nature Reserve, not far from the town centre;
• Learn of the centuries deep history of this place and the surrounding area with a Guided Walking Tour;
• Travel a scenic 20 minutes or so to the National Trust run Mount Stewart Estate and enjoy stories of the this 19th-century house - a must-see attraction on the island of Ireland.;
• A few minutes drive in the other direction, towards the City of Bangor, will bring you to the Somme Museum where you will be transported back in time to 1910 where they learn about the Home Rule Crisis, recruiting and training of men and life in the trenches. Reconstructed trenches of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
• On the same road, not far from the Museum, is The Ark Open Farm which makes for a great family day out. In January 2024, the farm was awarded the Jim Keetch Small Farm Park of the Year award at the National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN) annual conference and awards dinner. With stiff competition from other farm parks across the United Kingdom they were named the best small farm park! 
• And, if you are a guitar lover, or purely interested in craft, you might wish to take up a tour of the Avalon Guitars workshop.

Homegrown Newtownards Talent

Ricky Warwick is a musician and songwriter, and the lead singer with Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy. He is also the frontman for the Scottish hard rock band The Almighty;

Formula One driver Eddie Irvine - Now retired, Eddie had a successful career in Formula One from 1993 to 2002. He owns Eddie Irvine Sports in Bangor, a centre delivering thrills and excitement to individuals, corporate groups, teams and families since 2003;

Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan - Rhys became Ireland's first-ever Olympic medallist in artistic gymnastics, winning gold on pommel horse in the Paris Olympics 2024;

And, Television presenter, Christine Bleakley was raised in Newtownards... to name just a few famous faces.

Make more of your stay

Discover ways to enrich your stay in our place, immersing yourself in the warmth of our people amongst the landscapes where the countryside meets the waters edge with events, experiences and things to do.

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Ards Visitor Information Centre

Ards Visitor Information Centre lies within the town, providing you with information on where to stay, local events and where to eat during your visit to Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough region. 

Contact Ards Visitor Information Centre who will be more than happy to put together the perfect itinerary for your stay, or guide you in the right direction.

Whilst in the area, be sure to stop into the centre which also displays a range of locally crafted gifts and souvenirs of the borough and of the island, from books, jewellery, artwork, textiles and momentos.

Sat Nav details

Latitude: 54.583333 Longitude: -5.666667

Driving distances (approx, depending on route):
Belfast - Newtownards | 30 minutes
Bangor - Newtownards | 15 minutes
Holywood - Newtownards | 20 minutes
Comber - Newtownards | 10 - 15 minutes
Portaferry - Newtownards | 35 minutes via Strangford Lough