Ards and North Down Three Day Itinerary Escape AND kick back Ards and North down Three day itinerary Page 3 Day 1

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STOP 1 STOP 2 Start your day in the busy town of Then head to Scrabo Tower, located just 3 , home to our Visitor minutes outside the town centre in Scrabo Information Centre (VIC) and an array of Country Park. The NIEA property is the independent and high street stores and perfect vantage point for a picturesque cafes. Our expert information advisors are view across . The tower on hand in the VIC to tell you all that you was built in 1857 and the scenes from need to know about the area. With Ards STOP 3 the top are well worth the 10-minute climb From here drive along the Crafts on site, you can also purchase range to the site. to , a wonderful 19th- of local, unique handcrafted gifts. century stately house with manicured gardens and various parkland trails. The National Trust runs the estate, making it possible for members of the public to 4 enjoy throughout the year.

STOP 4 STOP 5 STOP 6 STOP 7 Next venture further along the peninsula For gin and whiskey lovers, the next stop is A little whiskey having whet your Ards and North Down offers first class to Greyabbey, perhaps stopping at one a must: Echlinville Distillery. The distillery appetite, finish your day in Donaghadee. places to stay when visiting the area. of the local eateries on route for a mid- is on the grounds of Echlinville Estate, Here you will find charming cafes, From, homely B&Bs to self-catered morning coffee and scone. Or explore founded by the Echlin family in 1730. Today, much loved pubs and award-wining accommodation, there is a something for the village itself, which is renowned for visitors can not only bask in the estate and restaurants that are receiving rave every type of traveller. Including a five-star its tea rooms and quaint antique shops. its beautiful grounds but also take part in reviews for their tasty and inventive estate and spa and AA Hotel of the Year NI Before taking time to explore Grey Abbey: a series of tours and tastings run on site. dishes. Sample some of our famous local 2017-2018! So you’ll be well rested for the the best example of Anglo-Norman Be sure to book your tour in advance at seafood or sit down to a more traditional next day’s adventures… Cistercian architecture in Ulster. Download echlinville.com. dinner built around our staple spuds. the heritage trail straight to your phone; Finish the day with a night-time stroll to at the touch of a button, you can listen view Donaghadee Lighthouse, one of the to the story of Greyabbey’s origins: of few remaining in Ireland. Viking invaders on Strangford Lough, of 7 Scottish settlers who rebuilt the Abbey and developed the village, and of the places of worship that are still thriving today. 5 6 Ards and North down Three day itinerary Page 5 Day 2

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STOP 1 STOP 2 STOP 3 STOP 4 Begin today in - the home of From Comber travel to Castle Espie, a Next head to Lisbane, a small village Journey a short distance to Mahee great taste - where you can enjoy the wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl between Balloo and Comber that is home Island which hosts breathtaking views of local crafts and artisan food scene, and Wetlands Trust. The reserve has to The Old Post Office tea rooms. The Strangford Lough from the island’s golf with many local shops selling unique, incredible wildlife, stunning scenery and building dates back to the 1840s and was course. While on the island take time to handmade goods. Ards and North Down a fascinating visitor centre that you’ll not restored to create a charming eatery that explore Nendrum Monastery. Founded is home to the greatest concentration of want to miss. With the centre providing an offers a unique dining and hospitality in the 5th century by St Machaoi, some professional artists and craftspeople in early wintering site for almost the entire experience. It is the perfect place to refuel! remains of this Christian Monastery can , so you are bound to find Nearctic population of Brent geese making still be seen, and it is believed to be the something ’arty’ that inspires you. Then it the largest collection of ducks, geese best example of a pre-Norman monastic tantalise your taste buds with homegrown and swans in Ireland; you’ll want to bring site in Northern Ireland. foods and locally brewed drinks; eat in your camera! one or our cosy cafes and buy something delicious to take home. If you are here on the first Thursday of the month, don’t forget to visit Comber Farmers’ Market, which is famous for its award-winning produce that includes fresh breads, delicious jams, chutneys and craft beers. 5 STOP 6 STOP 7 Home to Balloo House and the Poacher’s Enjoy a night cap before heading back Pocket, Killinchy is a foodie haven for to your room to rest up for a third day of tonight’s dinner. If you fancy slightly more adventures… casual cuisine, Balloo House is an award- STOP 5 winning restaurant and beautiful country From here venture to Killinchy. Continue pub with a rich history. It was originally a today’s crafty theme and take time to coaching house bought by the McConnell visit Killinchy Clocks, a family run wood family in 1893. Refurbished, it now boasts working company based in the village stunning stone floors and a working Aga, that makes pendulum clocks and all their creating a cosy feel. Alternatively, the parts entirely from wood. Then stop in hugely successful Poacher’s Pocket oozes The Crafty Fox, a local shop that stocks modern country charm. This Michelin beautiful handmade gifts. recommended restaurant provides great tasting food and even better portions. 7 6 Ards and North down Three day itinerary Page 7 Day 3

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STOP 1 STOP 2 STOP 3 Start your day in Bangor. A walk along the Visit Bangor Abbey where you can Then head to North Down Museum to coastal path - which provides fabulous learn about Christian heritage. You can discover the region’s history. Northern views of one of the finest shorelines on download the Bangor Christian Heritage Ireland’s most visited small museum, tells the Island - and a coffee in one of the Trail app straight to your mobile to hear the story of the North Down area from the town’s cafés will wake you up before you all about its rich history, such as how it Bronze Age to the present day through delve into the town’s rich history. grew to become one of the most important a series of rooms, each dedicated to a [Or alternatively take time to walk more seats of learning in Ireland particular era of history. The museum of the coastal path, which stretches from also hosts regular art exhibitions, so Holywood to Portavoe, and enjoy the wild make sure to check out what’s on at flowers and wildlife. Download a map at northdownmuseum.com. There is also a visitardsandnorthdown.com.] restaurant for a quick bit to eat.

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STOP 4 STOP 5 Next, journey to Holywood via the Ulster Renowned for its speciality boutiques and The town’s award-winning brasseries and Folk and Transport Museum. Here you café scene, Holywood town - which is restaurants - several of which feature in can experience what life was like in home to pro-golfer, Rory McIlroy - is the the prestigious Michelin guide - are the Northern Ireland over 100 years ago in perfect place to while away a few hours. perfect place to end a few days well-spent. the folk section, and explore one of the (Gents can also leave the ladies to indulge Treat yourself to a three-course meal most comprehensive transport collections in a little retail therapy and escape to 18 made from locally sourced ingredients and in Europe where you’ll find majestic holes at Holywood Royal or Belfast.) indulge in a glass of something special… locomotives, horse-drawn carriages, vintage motorbikes and rare cars. 5 Helen’s Bay Crawfordsburn Bangor

Newtownards

Conlig

Trails & Routes

Strangford Lough Canoe Trail

East Coast Canoe Trail

Comber Greenway Cycle Trail

Strangford Lough Cycle Trail

North Down Coastal Path

Lecale Way

St Patrick’s Trail (main route)

Trail leading to other associated St Patrick’s Trail sites

Mourne Coastal Route

Comber/Andrews Titanic Trail

Ulster Scots Driving Tours

Great Wars Trail

Film Locations

Access points to the Lough

In-depth literature on these trails, routes 2 miles and must-sees are available at your 3.2 km nearest Visitor Information Centre or This is map is based upon Crown Copyright and visitardsandnorthdown.com is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright and database right 2017 CS&LA156 We have three Apps available to download for FREE from your Strangford Lough Ferry Service SMS text message alert service: preferred store: • Bangor Christian Heritage Sailings every Strangford – Portaferry Passengers can register to receive SMS • Discover Ards and North Down 30 minutes Departs on the hour and the half hour. text message service updates. You can: • Greyabbbey Village Heritage Trail 0300 200 7898 Text ‘FERRY’ to 67300 to register nidirect.gov.uk/ Portaferry – Strangford Text ‘STOP’ to 67300 to stop articles/strangford- Departs at quarter past and quarter ferry-fares to the hour. Text messages are free in the UK Ards Visitor Information Centre 31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD 028 9182 6846 [email protected]

Bangor Visitor Information Centre Tower House, 34 Quay Street Bangor BT20 5ED 028 9127 0069 [email protected]

visitardsandnorthdown.com