All Places in Down
OR
- Situated in Newcastle, 3.6 km from Slieve Donard, Cherryhill Lodge boasts air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on site. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV.
- Kilkeel lifeboat station was established in the 1980s and operates an inshore lifeboat to cover an area with the largest fishing fleet in Ireland. The station is open by appointment only, although crew training is normally 8pm Tuesdays.
- Newcastle lifeboat station was established in 1854 and operates inshore and all weather lifeboats. Station is open daily.
- Dating back to the 1700’s, The Portaferry Hotel offers stunning views across Strangford Lough. Free WiFi access is available. Each room here will provide you with a TV, satellite channels and a seating area.
- Bangor castle is not si much a castle but a three storey mansion house made from limestone attached to an earlier abbey which has a steeply pitched roof. The castle sits in formal gardens with flower beds. Bangor Castle is used by the local council as a Town Hall and not open to the general public although you have access to the parkland and gardens.
- Ballywalter beach is actually two beaches but it is the long south sandy beach that draws most visitors, with rock pools and never too crowded. Ballywalter is a village situated on the east (Irish Sea) coast of the Ards Peninsula. Facilities include small playground nearby, grass areas behind the beach, car parking and toilets.
- Portaferry lifeboat station was established in 1980 and operates an inshore lifeboat. Station open by appointment only.
- Strangford Lough is the biggest sea lough or lake in the United Kingdom. It flows into the Irish Sea at the Strangford Narrows but apart from that, is landlocked. There is over 15 000 acres of shore, islands, wetlands, marsh and woodlands here for wildlife to enjoy and it’s a lovely day out in the country if you’re a keen walker, fisherman, biker or just someone who enjoys the peace and quiet! The information centre here provides good knowledge of the wildlife, birdlife and marine life here and you’ll find Bar tailed Godwits, Terns and Brent Geese among the candidates for your attention. It’s all very well set up with a variety of car parking areas and viewing platforms, walks and resting areas to enjoy the scenery from. The walks are great and include a variety of low tide, island and other walks with stunning views. Coast nearby, Nature Reserve, Country walks, Access for visitors with disabilities, Suitable for picnics, Dogs welcome on leads.
- Ballyhalbert beach is sandy in a small village with a harbour on the east (Irish Sea) coast of the Ards Peninsula between Ballywalter and Portavogie. Just past the harbour is mainland Irelands most easterly point – Burr Point. Ballywalter also has a nature reserve, an old castle mound and the ruins of an old church.
- Groomsport beach is a sandy beach adjacent to the harbour and 10 minutes drive from Bangor. Facilities at the beach include harbour, car parking, supermarket, pub and toilets.
- Cloughey has one of the best beaches in the Ards Peninsula boasting a wide sweep of sand with miles of sand dunes and a castle to explore! The bay faces South East with a long spit of stones providing protection from the Irish Sea swell. Cloughey Bay due to the size and protection is popular for windsurfing, water-skiing, kitesurfing and kite buggies. The bay is large and car parking with toilets exist.
- The Mew Island Lighthouse replaced the original lighthouse on Lighthouse Island in 1884. the lighthouse is currently active and was converted to automatic operation with the lighthouse keepers permanently withdrawn in 1996.
