Ards Peninsula

Ards Peninsula hosts a varied range of Country and Strangford Lough walks allowing you to see local wildlife and visit beautiful beaches that are great for the kids, plenty of paddling, building sand castles and rock pools to explore. Check out the beautiful beach at Ballywalter and Kearney village. Horse Island just outside Kircubbin is a great local spot for bird watching.

National Trust, Mount Stewart House and Gardens are right on our doorstep, miles of beautiful walks or browse around the house and gardens. Check out the website for frequent events such as Jazz in the Park and seasonal activities. There is also a fantastic Gift Shop, Woodland Adventure Park and Coffee Shop.   Also check out the Red Squirrel Watch - We also have a family of Red Quirrels living at Ballycastle Cottage.

The historic village of Greyabbey is 2 miles away and has quaint Antique Shops to explore, Coffee Shops and Restaurants. There is also a local butcher, post office and convenience store. You will also find Orange Tree Wedding venue here. Here you can also visit the 12th Century Cisiercian Abbey.

Portaferry, at the tip of the Peninsula is where you can take a short ferry ride across The Narrows to Strangford. Make sure to check out Exploris Aquarium for the kids in Portaferry, hands on with native sealife like tickling the belly of a shark and touching sea creatures!!! In Strangford there are plenty of restaurants and also National Trust, Castle Ward, home of Winterfell from Game of Thrones. Beautiful walks, Gift Shop and a Tea Room is also available here.

Donaghadee is a small town 10 minute drive away with plenty of Restaurants, Shops and of course the beautiful Lighthouse. There is also Copelands Distillery where you can book a tour and sample the local Gin.

Bangor is a larger town with fabulous coastal walks and large Marina. Pickie Fun Park is a favourite with kids also, train rides, outside playpark and large swan pedal boats. 

Newtownards is just up the up the road from Ballycastle Cottage, a great town filled with a variety of Designer Fashion Shops,  Department Stores, all types of Restaurants, Bars and a Saturday Farmers Market selling local seafood, literally just off the boats and Irish Produce such as Potato Farls and Home Made Cakes. The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic interactive farm set in 40 acres of countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. Recently visited by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and is a great family day out.

Other local activities that can be arranged are Sailing, Fishing, Horse Rding, Golf, Pottery Painting at Eden Pottery and Castle Espie Wetlands, to name but a few. The Open House Festival is an indepentant charity in Bangor which hosts unique events from drama, book readings, eating experiences and festivals, please check out their website for details .

Please check out individual websites as due to Covid 19 booking is essential in some places.

Ards Torist Board website have a full list of local activities, Suggested Itinaries and places to visit including web site links 

https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do