Your FREE Visitor Guide to Ards and North Down EXPERIENCES ON BELFAST’S AND EVENTS DOORSTEP AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 SEPTEMBER–MARCH EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY 01 A recipe for a good time 03 Get here and explore: Planning your trip 04 Accommodation 05 Season Highlights 07 Drive this way 09 Water's Edge Encounters 17 Great Food Encounters 19 Creative Encounters 23 Step Back in Time 29 Family Fun 33 Get Active 39 Itineraries 46 Autumn/Winter Events 61 Exhibitions 66 Visitor Information Services The information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print. Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy; however, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or changes that may occur. This information can be made available in a range of alternative formats to meet a specific need. To request an alternative format please phone 028 9127 0069 / 028 9182 6846. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 PAGE 2 A recipe for a good time… Miles of coastline and stunning scenery, wonderful attractions, fabulous places to eat along the way and a wide selection of accommodation, give Ards and North Down all the ingredients for a great day trip or break away. Mix together with award winning beaches, sprinkle with castles and stately homes and top off with the oldest pub in Ireland! Come and experience the flavours for yourself. Feed the spirit Feed the imagination Embrace the great outdoors Creative workshops, and take in the natural galleries and studios are landscapes and seascapes, sprinkled throughout the on land, water or in the air. region allowing a peek into the creativity that flows. Feed the mind Enjoy the rich backdrop Feed the body of historic landmarks, and soul reminders of the area's From local farmers' markets, past and learn of Christian to delis and fine restaurants Heritage and Ulster Scots your visit will be truly history. enriched with fine food and drink. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 PAGE 4 Get here and explore: Accommodation Planning your trip The area is easily reached by air, ferry and public From cosy B&Bs to ultra-modern self-catering, luxury transport. Located 20 minutes from the buzzing hotels to budget hostels, there is something for every city of Belfast, escape the hustle and bustle of taste and pocket. Get the best out of your stay in the everyday life and set a pace that is more relaxed borough, whether it be for an overnight, weekend in Ards and North Down. retreat or week long break... By air Belfast International Airport: +44 (0)28 9448 4848 belfastairport.com George Best Belfast City Airport +44 (0)28 9093 9093 belfastcityairport.com By sea P&O Ferries: 01304 448888 poferries.com Stena Line Ferries: Bangor +44 (0)844 770 7070 Newtownards stenaline.co.uk Strangford Lough Ferry Service: +44 (0)300 200 7898 TEXT: ‘Ferry’ to 67300 for updates Pick up a free copy of our Ards and North Down By public transport Accommodation Guide from Translink Public Transport: one of our Visitor Information +44 (0)28 9066 6630 Centres or download it at translink.co.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com Please refer to our map on page 68 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 PAGE 6 Season Highlights Don’t miss a minute with this handy guide of exciting events, fabulous festivals and fantastic family fun. Be sure to save the dates and enjoy an unforgettable season in Ards and North Down. For a full listing of events turn to page 46 Donaghadee Lights Up Festival Halloween Walking Tours Thursday 5 to Sunday Wednesday 23 and Thursday or go online visitardsandnorthdown.com 8 September 24 October Late Night at the Museum, Seapark Fireworks Halloween at Cockle Row North Down Museum Holywood Cottages, Groomsport Friday 25 October Saturday 26 October Sunday 27 October Bangor Newtownards Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre, Christmas Lights Switch On Christmas Lights Switch On Newtownards Saturday 23 November Saturday 30 November Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 PAGE 8 Drive this way… Make memories... Explore by car, using the following driving routes directing you to some Whether its relaxation, adventure, award-winning of the highlights of the area. Designated routes are also detailed on the food or stunning scenery you’re after, discover map on page 68, or find out more at vistardsandnorthdown.com the area with the ease of our selected itineraries. Uncover landscape and legends, soak up the beautiful coastline or relax and revive with full Saint Patrick’s Trail Great Wars Trail Ulster-Scots in Ards and day, overnight and three-day itineraries available Follow the Saint Patrick’s Ards and North Down has North Down Trail through a host of a rich connection with the In May 1606 Scottish families to download from vistardsandnorthdown.com Christian sites in Bangor, the two World Wars. First World settled in the area, led by and make the most of your time here. Ards Peninsula, Downpatrick, War soldiers, from the 108th James Hamilton and Hugh Newry and Armagh to Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Montgomery from Ayrshire, uncover just how strong Division, trained within the Scotland. These Scottish Get App-y Northern Ireland’s links are grounds of the Clandeboye settlers transformed the Download our handy apps for free from Google Play and with our patron Saint. The 92 Estate in Bangor. General borough into what you enjoy a journey of discovery. mile linear driving route links Eisenhower inspected see today; the towns and 15 key sites, all identified as troops prior to D Day in villages, rolling landscape, Greyabbey Village Heritage Trail having some connection 1944, memorialised in the place names, and the ‘wee’ Learn of Greyabbey’s origins; of Viking invaders on to the Saint’s life, legacy or mosaic art of the Bangor turns of phrase you’ll hear Strangford Lough, of Scottish settlers who rebuilt the abbey landscape. Ards and North pier, named in honour of the when talking to the locals. and developed the village, and of the places of worship Down is home to seven of General. These are just two which are still thriving today. The audio app, in conjunction these sites. examples of the many sites Game of Thrones® Journey with five interpretative panels, will take you from the abbey Discover more throughout the borough of Doors Passport to the lough in a series of fascinating and quirky tales! Mourne Coastal Route where you can learn about When some trees from the Be sure to pick up a town This beautiful scenic route how the area played its part famous Dark Hedges blew or village heritage trail of Strangford Heritage Trail Co Down: the area you are visiting to takes you on a journey along in history. over in Storm Gertrude, 10 Maritime Heritage Trails the coastline from Belfast, intricate doors were created discover its history and how This app will educate you on the role fishing has played in it has become the place it is along the Irish Sea coast, The Ards Peninsula Way and located across Northern forming County Down as we know it, where today three of across Strangford Lough This handy downloadable Ireland, each telling the today. These are available the area's ports – Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass – remain free of charge in the Visitor and on to the Kingdom guide will help you to plan story of a Season 6 episode. at the centre of the fishing industry. of Mourne. The route is the perfect tour of Ireland’s Game of Thrones® fans Information Centres; better signposted by directional most easterly coastline and can view one of these in still, book onto a guided brown signage. its charming villages. Take in Fiddlers Green, Portaferry. tour this autumn and its historic sites, experience For more information go to discover the fascinating its vibrant craft scene and discovernorthernireland.com history. Tours run until enjoy outdoor activities such January. as walking, cycling and golf. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2019/20 PAGE 10 Water’s Edge Ards and North Down is proud to have six award Encounters winning beaches in the borough and an award winning marina. Whether you enjoy a stroll along the beach to blow off the The views Make sure to visit one cobwebs, a gentle paddle or fishing on a lake, water’s edge The iconic Scrabo during your stay. encounters are plentiful in Ards and North Down. You Tower is the ideal Seaside Award can try a sailing lesson with one of the local yacht location for panoramic Ballywalter views of the lough, the BT22 2PG clubs, enjoy a fishing expedition, or why not be Cloughey adventurous and go kite surfing or canoeing? Ards Peninsula and the BT22 1JA The coastline and shore are also a delight surrounding drumlins Crawfordsburn BT19 1JT for bird watchers, with visiting species of County Down. The North Down Coastal Groomsport changing with the season. Be sure to BT19 6JR visit the attractions that showcase Our coastline Wildlife Path is one of the Millisle nature at its best… Surrounded by over 115 There are also many finest shoreline walks BT22 2HS miles of coastline you opportunities to see in Northern Ireland, Green Coast Award are never too far away the abundant wildlife stretching for 16 miles Helen’s Bay BT19 1TP from the sea! making its home from Holywood to Portavoe with amazing Blue Flag Award The stunning coastline here – seals, otters, Bangor Marina of Ards and North cormorants, guillemots views across Belfast BT20 5ED Down takes in the and Brent geese are Lough.