North Down
Winning combination
North Down is situated just a few miles from Belfast, and has a
winning mix of picturesque coastline, beautiful countryside,
bustling towns and quaint villages. The borough offers spectacular
events and leisure facilities from maritime festivals to the Pickie
Family Fun Park, from dancing to dining, golf to gardens, karting
to karaoke, walking to windsurfing; there is lots for every age,
taste and budget.
Bangor town
Bangor is a seaside resort situated on the southern side of
Belfast Lough and is North Down’s main town and only 12 miles from
Belfast and just 30 minutes by train or bus. There is plenty to do
and see for families, couples on a romantic getaway, visitors on
day trips or tours. The town combines first-rate facilities and
attractions with a programme of highly popular events along side an
increasingly appetising choice of restaurants, bars and cafés,
first class accommodation, including luxurious spas.
In Bangor you will find Northern Ireland’s largest award
winning marina; so take a walk along the promenade which is a good
place to start on the linear way marked trail. It extends from the
esplanade in Holywood through coastal habitats and country parks to
reach the rocky outcrop of Orlock, Portavoe taking in Bangor. The
path is 16 miles long and transverses a varied and beautiful
landscape rich in history and nature.
Back in the centre of the town on the Eisenhower Pier, mosaics
depict the Borough’s crucial role in WWII, including General Dwight
D. Eisenhower’s historic send-off to the hundreds of Allied ships
gathered in Bangor Bay before the D-Day Liberation of Europe.
If you are looking for something to do indoors - discover the
area’s fascinating history in the North Down Museum, Northern
Ireland’s most visited small museum, housing exhibitions from
Bangor’s Christian Heritage, the Viking links and the history and
development of Bangor.
Explore Holywood
Set against the backdrop of the Craigantlet hills, the pretty
town of Holywood is only a 10-minute journey from the centre of
Belfast. The jewel in the crown of North Down it’s renowned for its
fascinating history and heritage and is home to Ireland’s only
surviving Maypole. Famous for its distinctive offering, it draws
visitors to its unique specialty shops, cutting-edge boutiques and
stunning galleries.
Groomsport is just 10 minutes from Bangor and there you can
travel back 300 years to when the little sailing harbour was a
major port. Cockle Row Cottages displays tourist and heritage
information and local crafts in an authentic 1910 atmosphere and is
open from June to September. You can also stroll round the National
Trust wildlife reserve at Orlock Point or take a break in the
village to relax and maybe have a bite to eat.
Crawfordsburn just outside Bangor is one of the country’s most
beautiful villages and hosts Ulster’s most popular country parks;
enjoy its 3.5 km of lovely beaches and riverside rambles. Take off
on the many marked nature trails, which take walkers through deep
wooded glens to waterfalls or to the beaches. The excellent Visitor
Centre has exhibitions on the park’s wildlife and provides free Way
marked Trail maps. This park is a great natural treasure.
Cultra, located roughly halfway between Bangor and Holywood is
home of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (Museum of the Year).
It illustrates the way of life and the traditions of Ulster people
from a bygone era. The outdoor Folk Museum tells the story of life
in early 20th century Ulster. The Transport Museum, one of the
finest in Europe, displays Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive
transport collection including a Titanic exhibition.
A comfortable stay
North Down offers an abundance of accommodation, restaurants and
bars to ensure that you have a comfortable stay and relaxing time.
From 5* Hotels and spas, to rustic self-catering farmhouses to
award winning restaurants and local cuisine, local authentic bars
to nightclubs you will not be disappointed.
'Foodies Paradise'
If food is your passion North Down boasts a fantastic choice of
cuisines to suit every taste and price range. You can eat your way
around the world in restaurants, bars and takeaways featuring
French, Italian, American Chinese and Indian cuisine.