Towns & Villages
North Down is located along the southern shores of Belfast Lough. Bangor is a picturesque quality maritime resort located only 12 miles from the heart of Belfast. The town of Holywood is the gateway to North Down situated just off the main Belfast to Bangor carriageway. Most of the villages lie along the coast with great views and popular tourist attractions. Crawfordsburn houses the Country Park which is the most visited Environmental Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. All the villages are within easy access of Bangor and well worth a visit.
For more information about activities around in and around Belfast Lough please contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre, Telephone: 028 9127 0069.
Bangor
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The maritime resort of Bangor is situated on the picturesque south shore of Belfast Lough some 12 miles east of Belfast. For more than 150 years Bangor has been one of Northern Ireland's main tourist destinations. An array of top class attractions and specialist activities combine with everything from the best in family entertainment to superb sporting facilities and excellent shopping.
Bangor also boasts one of Ireland's largest marinas which holds the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Award. On the far side of the Marina is Pickie Family Fun Park, a seaside oasis for children with Giant Swan pedal boats, paddling pools, adventure playgrounds, cafe and a miniature railway.
Other attractions include North Down Museum, situated at the back of the Town Hall in the beautiful Castle Park. Close by is Bangor Leisure Centre, a Multiplex Cinema and Ward Park where you can encounter exotic wildlife, enjoy a game of bowls or play tennis.
Bangor offers the visitor all the attractions of a seaside resort but combines this with excellent shopping. Two major shopping centres in the Flagship Centre in the centre of town, and Bloomfields on the Ring Road and they are complemented fully by other town centre retailers.
Bangor offers a variety of superb restaurants offering international cuisine along with hotels and fast food outlets.
Traditional pubs stand side by side with modern bars, and music of all sorts from traditional to disco all adding to "the crack"!
Bangor and North Down have some of Northern Ireland's best accomodation from the luxurious five star Culloden Hotel at Cultra to numerous B&B's, self catering and guest houses.
Bangor is also known as Northern Ireland's premier events location with the Sea Bangor Festival and August Bank Holiday weekend just two of the highlights of the entertainment programme.
Whether you're enjoying a short break, romantic weekend or business trip, Bangor's unique combination of attractions, activities and accommodation will ensure a holiday you will long remember.
Images of Bangor
Helen's Bay
Helen's Bay is situated on the coast four miles west of Bangor and has two lovely beaches flanking Crawfordsburn Country Park. It is named after Helen Sheridan, mother of the first Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. There is a nine-hole golf course. The village is connected by rail and bus to Bangor and Belfast.
Located in Helens Bay is Grey Point Fort, the old coastal defence at Grey Point. Throughout the holiday periods the Fort is open to the public and re-enactment days are held. Entrance is Free. Please telephone Crawfordsburn Country Park for opening times.
Conlig
This village lies off the busy road to Newtownards, two miles from Bangor. Before the dual carriageway was laid, the main road used to run through the village street, but visitor traffic is now largely limited to golfers en route to the two 18 hole championship courses of Clandeboye Golf Club. The most challenging of North Down's six golf clubs, Clandeboye, attracts top-class golfers and sporting greats including World Class Formula One racing driver, Eddie Irvine, who grew up in Conlig.
There are lovely walks in the wooded countryside around the village. You may catch a glimpse of antlered deer grazing among the woodland plants. They are part of a herd long-established in the neighbouring Clandeboye Estate.
Crawfordsburn
This picturesque village is a popular tourist attractions and beauty spot. The main street in the village features "The Old Inn" which dates back to 1614 and is Ireland's oldest hotel.
Crawfordsburn's fascinating history, wooded glens, waterfalls, railway viaduct and beautiful beaches make it an excellent place to spend the day. Crawfordsburn Park is situated off the Cootehall Road, Crawfordsburn, this small five-and-a-half acre park offers quiet walkways, beach and car parking facilities.
The visitor centre offers wildlife exhibitions and audio-visual presentations. Have a delicious cup of coffee and a scone in the panoramic Conservatory Restaurant. Children's parties and group bookings are available.
The golden beach attracts thousands of bathers and sun worshippers throughout the summer.
There are several way marked walks including the Glen Walk which follows the Crawford's Burn up through woodland and under a gigantic five arch railway viaduct to the beautiful waterfall.
Throughout the seasons the Visitor Centre organises guided walks, giving you a close-up view of different aspects of the Park's rich flora and fauna, from birds and butterflies to mammals and mushrooms. You may be lucky enough to spot a shy stoat, common here, but hard to find.
Cultra
Cultra is Northern Ireland's most sought after residential area and lies between Holywood and Bangor along the main carriageway to Belfast.
The railway line from Belfast, completed in 1848, saw grand mansions, villas and terraces erected along this stretch of Belfast Lough and into the beautiful surrounding hills. This affluent area is known to this day as Northern Ireland's 'Gold Coast' and boasts residents including some of Ireland's top pop stars.
The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum at Cultra is a world-class facility and is Northern Ireland's top most visited tourist attraction and has one the Museum of the year award on several occasions. The outdoor Folk Museum comprises of reconstructed farms, workshops, mills, schools, and churches, set amidst beautiful parkland and reflecting life in Northern Ireland at the turn of the century. The award winning Irish Railway collection acclaimed as the best in Europe is unsurpassed and the transport galleries are complimented by the "Titanic Exhibition" and conference and education centres. It would take a full day to see everything and absorb the "history of days" gone by.
New buildings and galleries are readily accessible to those with varied abilities.
For information on the museum T: 028 9042 8428 or visit www.uftm.org.uk
Groomsport
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Few coastal villages can compare with Groomsport for scenic charm, tranquil beauty and historical heritage.
History
Once was a major trading port Groomsport also saw The Eagle Wing ship set sail for the New World in 1636. From the Ulster Scots settlers to the Duke of Schomberg landing here in 1689 on his way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 there are many fascinating stories to tell in this picturesque village.
Nowadays visitors are attracted by the picnic and play area, beaches, quality pubs, restaurants and the picture-postcard beauty of the place.
Cockle Row Cottages
One of the main attractions for the visitor in Groomsport is Cockle Row, the old fishermen's thatched cottages with the heritage cottage depicting what Cockle Row would have been like around 1910. The cottage has an exhibition which details the history of the area from the Ulster Scots settlers to the 1900’s through interpretive panels and a short video.
The second cottage is now a Local Seasonal Information Office and provides tourists and locals with information of places to visit, accommodation and events locally and throughout Northern Ireland. The cottage also sells a selection of gifts and crafts.
Summer Entertainment
Throughout the summer months (April to September) the cottages host a variety of entertainment every weekend afternoon. Activities range from teddy bear's picnics to wildlife road shows and craft activities to live music.
Cockle Row Cottages opening hours (seasonal)
General Info
The village, with a population of approximately 3,000, has a recreation ground with 2 football pitches, a village hall situated in the historic boathouse at the harbour that dates back to 1884 and a very active sailing club (Cockle Island Boat Club).
Getting there
By car – 5 minutes from Bangor centre.
Public transport - A bus service links the village with Bangor from Bangor Translink Bus and Rail Station.
Images of Groomsport
Holywood
History and Heritage
The town's rich ecclesiastical heritage is represented today by its most distinctive building, the Old Priory. The oldest remains date from the early 13th Century. From 1615 to 1844 it was the parish church. Its tower dates from around 1800.
The churchyard is the last resting place of many distinguished citizens, including the Praeger family. Robert Lloyd Praegar was a naturalist of international renown and his sister Rosamund achieved fame as a sculptress. Her delightful 1950`s bronze statue of a youngster playing the accordion 'Johnny the Jig', (pictured above) stands in front of the children's playground in High Street.
Holywood also boasts Ireland's only Maypole dating back to 1700 when a Dutch ship rang aground off shore and as a show of gratitude they erected their broken mast. Today it is still the focus of the annual May Day Celebrations.
Parks
Holywood has a number of parkland settings. These include Seapark Recreation Area along the North Down Coastal path on the shores of Belfast Lough. Here you can find seasonal putting, bowls, tennis and an annual fireworks display. There is a children's playground, which is open all year.
Redburn Country Park is located in the hills above Holywood overlooking Belfast Lough. If your lucky you may spot a red squirrel or two!
Shopping
Holywood is particularly popular for its speciality shops including fashion boutiques, delis, and galleries.
Leisure
The Queens Leisure Centre in the middle of the town is home to a state of the art gym and sporting facilities.
Access
At the end of High Street at the corner of Bangor Road.
Opening Hours
Accessible all year, with car parking places nearby.
Images of Holywood