Tourist attractions in County Down, Northern Ireland

We have listed a number of County Down's major attractions for your ease of reference. We trust you will enjoy your stay in County Down, Northern Ireland's sunny south east! If you are unsure where an attraction is please key the postcode into MULTIMAP

1. Ulster Folk & Transport Museum Cultra, Holywood, Co.Down BT18 OEU. Tel +44 (0)28 9042 8428
One of the finest museums in Ireland. The Folk Museum illustrates the way of life and the traditions of the people of the north of Ireland. The Transport Museum displays Ireland's largest and most comprehensive transport collection, from horse-drawn carts to Irish built motor cars, and from the mighty steam locomotives that graced our railways to the history of ship and aircraft building.

2. Crawfordsburn Country Park Bridge Road South, Helen's Bay, BT19 1LD. Tel +44 (0) 28 9185 3621
The Park is situated on the southern shores of Belfast Lough. It is full of variety, featuring 3.5.km of coastline, often rugged and rocky, the two best beaches in the Belfast area, a deep wooded glen with an impressive waterfall at its head, a pond and wildflower meadows with excellent views over the Lough. The Park also includes Grey Point Fort, a coastal battery and gun emplacement dating from early this century and updated during World War 2.

3. Bangor Marina & Pickie Fun Park Bangor seafront
The 500 berth marina opened in 1995. Pickie Fun Park has mute-swan pedalos, train, kids mini pool and adventure playground. There are a number of good eateries close by so this adds up to an easy day out with the kids. As part of the coastal walk you can walk to Crawfordsburn Country Park (further if you wish) or round the other direction to Ballyholme and beyond! For a bit of history don't forget to visit the Town Hall (North Down Heritage Centre ) where an excellent display can be viewed for free.

4. Scrabo Hill Country Park 203A Scrabo Road, Newtownards, BT23 4SJ Tel: 028 91811491
Scrabo Country Park is centred upon the tower built on the summit of Scrabo Hill. It includes the woodlands of Killynether, the disused quarries where Scrabo stone was once quarried, a pond and a prehistoric hill fort with adjacent enclosures and hut-circles. Fantastic views of the surrounding countryside can be had from the top of the tower. Well worth the short climb.

5. Somme Heritage Centre Whitespots Country Park, 233 Bangor Road, Newtownards, BT23 7PH Tel: 028 91823202 The centre commemorates the involvement of the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) Divisions in the Battle of the Somme, the 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli, Salonika and Palestine and provides displays and information on the entire Irish contribution to the First World War. The centre promotes cross-community contact, mutual understanding, an appreciation of cultural diversity, and is a major visitor attraction.

6. Ark Open Farm 296 Bangor Road, Newtownards, BT23 7PH Tel: 028 91820445
The farm opened to the public on 14th August 1990 and since then it has grown in size and in popularity.
The main aim of the farm is the preservation of rare and endangered species of domestic animals. Set in forty acres of unspoiled countryside it is home to approximately two hundred animals of all kinds. Cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, goats, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, ponies, all so tame and friendly.

	7. Strangford Lough Cut off by from the sea by the Ards Peninsula, except for a 1km wide strait at Portaferry, Strangford Lough is almost a lake. It is 25km long, about 6km wide and up to 45m deep. Large colonies of grey seal live here, especially at the southern tip of the peninsula. Birds abound on the shores and mudflats including Brent geese and eider ducks.

8. Castle Espie Centre 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, BT23 6EA Tel: 028 9187 4146 A haven for fledgling ornithologists and for a large gathering of geese, ducks and swans. Many of the birds are so tame they will take food form your hand. The best time to visit is between May and June, when the grounds are overrun with goslings, ducklings and cygnets.

9. Nendrum Monastic Site Comber, Newtownards Tel: 028 9054 3037
The monastery comprises three concentric dry-stone walled enclosures with evidence for industrial work outside, including a tidal mill and landing places. The central enclosure has a church ruin with sundial, the remains of round tower and a graveyard. The middle enclosure contains remains of huts and workshops. The outer enclosure is only partly in state care and little is known about it.

10. Mount Stewart House & Gardens Portaferry Road, Newtownards, BT22 2AD Tel: 028 4278 8387
Mount Stewart is an 18th-century house and garden owned by the National Trust. Situated on the east shore of Strangford Lough, a few miles outside the town of Newtownards and near Greyabbey, it was the home of the Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry. The house and its contents reflect the history of the Stewarts, who played a leading role in British social and political life.