Cockle Row Cottages

About

Take a step back in time with a visit to the lovingly restored Cockle Row Cottages in Groomsport. The cottages illustrate life for a fisherman and his family at the turn of the last century. Open seasonally, in the summer, the Cottages also house a local Visitor Information Centre and shop. 

Thought to be nearly 400 years old, Cockle Row is the last reminder of old Groomsport. The building was once a pair of fisherman’s cottages and signs of their age can be found by taking a closer look inside. Pop into the Visitor Information Centre to discover a window exposing the interior structure of the walls or look in the cottage capturing its yesteryear and admire the thickness of the walls and the thatched roof. Or appreciate how the cottages were built at right angles to the sea, to protect its inhabitants from the fierce coastal storms.

The cottages were inhabited until the 1950s and were saved from demolition in the 1960s by Bangor Art Club, who repaired the cottages and opened them to the public during weekends in the summer.

In 1997, North Down Borough Council were awarded a grant to entirely renovate the cottages including the first installation of electricity. They reopened that summer, with one building becoming a heritage cottage to allow visitors to experience bygone life and the other as a modern Visitor Information Centre. Since then, they have become a much-loved attraction in the area. Why not call into Cockle Row to have a chat with the Visitor Ambassadors, pick up a souvenir or enjoy the free entertainment which takes place each Sunday.

The cottages are open seasonally, June - early September (usually, until the European Heritage Open Weekend).
Thursday to Sunday, 11am-5pm
Also, free family entertainment, every Sunday, 2pm-4pm - Find out more

Look out for free family fun during the year. Stay up to date with all events by following our Facebook and Instagram pages and by signing up to our monthly e-newsletter.