Local Area Information

Newtownards, locally known as ‘Ards’, is a large town that lies at the northern tip of Strangford Lough. The Lough is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of Special Scientific Interest and Northern Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve.   Official records show that the town was established in 1606.

Newtownards became a market town, with the Market House in Conway Square constructed in 1770. The market still operates each Saturday on a weekly basis.

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.

Newtownards located in County Down achieved a place in the prestigious Sustainable Destinations Top 100 awards. In 2019, County Down was selected as the only destination in the UK/Ireland to win a spot in the prestigious Sustainable Destinations Top 100! Not only has the country achieved a place in the top100, but it has also achieved a GOLD Award.