Once Upon a Time inHolywood
A journey around North Down and the Ards Peninsula
Considered one of the most beautiful and tranquil areas in Northern Ireland, the Ards Peninsula and North Down area is a combination of coastal views, best-kept villages, and fine dining.
Holywood to Groomsport
- 2 days
- 130 miles
- £1.62 avg. fuel cost
Top three road trip gems...
Location: 153 Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EU
Visit this interactive museum in Cultra and discover what Northern Irish life was like over a century ago. Things to see include a Picture House and a Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks.
Image credit: Colin Majury / Shutterstock.com
Location: The Rope Walk, Castle St, Portaferry BT22 1NZ
Situated on the shores of the stunning Strangford Lough in Portaferry is Exploris Aquarium, which has recently received a £2 million investment. We can guarantee a cuteness overload at the seal sanctuary!
Location: 41 Balloo Rd, Bangor BT19 7PR
This Bangor-based attraction is one of Northern Ireland’s premier indoor sporting facilities. Owned by the Formula One legend, this is your opportunity to put pedal to the medal and cross the checkered flag like Eddie used to do so often.
What You Can Expect
This trip will take you on your journey down through the left-side of County Down, keeping the stunning Strangford Lough by your side through the entirety of your travels. Then, you’ll hop on the ferry to Portaferry and make your way back towards the coastal town of Donaghadee. On the return leg you will pass stunning scenery on your way, including the abundance of abbeys that litter the A20 coastal road.
Mount Stewart
Explore the neo-classical house that was once occupied by Lady Londonderry, Edith Vane-Tempest-Stewart. Having previously undergone a restoration project, Mount Stewart hosts a wide range of memorabilia from Lady Londonderry’s occupancy, including ceramics, family heirlooms, and paintings.
Scrabo Tower
Visible from the demesne at Mount Stewart, Scrabo Tower is a 135ft landmark found on the outskirts of Newtownards. It is undoubtedly one of the nation’s most best-known attractions. From the tower peer out over the lough of Strangford below.
Killinchy and Lisbane
Three miles separate the small villages of Killinchy and Lisbane, but in that five-minute drive you will find three utterly exquisite restaurants. Balloo House and Poacher’s Pocket are two different dining experiences, both with Michelin recommendations. The first offers a more relaxed dining experience, serving up traditional Irish country pub grub with a twist. Meanwhile, the Poacher’s Pocket is revered for their utilisation of everything the lough has to offer. Daft Eddy’s, a family-run business, is a contemporary restaurant that combines beautiful surroundings with a delectable menu.