Top Things to do in County Down
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Top 10 Free Things to do in County Down, Northern Ireland
Discover the best top things to do in County Down, United Kingdom including Mourne Mountains, Marine Gardens Coastal Walk, Ballynahinch Library, Bangor Marina, Castle Park, Crawfordsburn Country Park, North Down Museum, Ballynoe Stone Circle, Inch Abbey, Murlough National Nature Reserve.
Restaurants in County Down
1. Mourne Mountains
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
The best known mountains in Ireland consist of 12 shapely summits rising above 2,000 feet on the eastern side, and the rugged peak of Slieve Donard that climbs steeply to 2,796 feet.
Reviewed By Bazalina - Rostrevor, United Kingdom
I'm not a hiker but I love driving through the Mournes. There are amazing stone walls everywhere and fields of sheep. My favourite loops is from Rostrevor, up past Spelga Dam and around to Dundrum then either back that way or along the coast. This area is a gem. So many great places to explore and exceptional scenery. Loads to enjoy even for the less active types although i gather the hiking is incredible too.
2. Marine Gardens Coastal Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By deirodeir - Bangor, United Kingdom
This is part of a coastal walk from Donaghadee to Holywood, and is usually called just the Coastal Path by locals. Beautiful views of Belfast Lough, looking across to the Antrim Hills, from the undulating paved path. Popular with walkers (with and without dogs) and joggers, and some cyclists, the latter on mountain bikes who frequently treat it as a race course. Incredibly, there are plans to widen the path and encourage cycling, so make the most of the pleasnt path as it is now, in case this error of judgement comes to pass.
3. Ballynahinch Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
To find out more about the library including opening times and holidays please visit the Libraries NI website.
4. Bangor Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By TamaraW6
My friend and I stayed at the Marine Court Hotel for a week. From this convenient location, we were able to tour Bangor on foot, including the Marina. The Eisenhower Pier wraps its arm around the marina and, along with its interesting WWII history, boasts walking path along the wall with views out to the channel, inlaid mosaic art, and the iconic little red lighthouse at pier's end. I enjoyed a morning stroll along both sides of the marina, including little beach covered in smoothly rounded pebbles and seagrass and the path past Pickie Fun Park to the coastal walkway (which, unfortunately, I didn't have time to do). We watched a young rowing team practicing in the bay. The Red Berry coffee, snack and ice-cream shop is on the corner by the Marina with outdoor seating. We enjoyed the night lights and activity of the city streets at dusk and the fog rolling in or bright sunshine for breakfast. We weren't moored there, but we heard from locals the friendly hope that those who do will spend time in Bangor in addition to their other Northern Ireland activities. Close to train and bus routes to Belfast, coastal village routes and a main road into the Mourne Mountains.
5. Castle Park
6. Crawfordsburn Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 385 reviews
Reviewed By Y4712ZCnicholasd - Larne, United Kingdom
Lovely day trip to Crawfordsburn Forest Park and Helen's Bay on the North County Down Coast near Bangor. The latest Saturday excursion by me and my brothers during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions took us around muddy pathways, Autumnal leaf covered walkways and strolls along the sandy beaches on an unusual warm sunny day in November. We walked around the different terrains of the park for nearly two hours, exploring the whole of the park lands and also taking our time to admire the views from coastline looking towards the County Antrim coastal towns of Carrickfergus and Whitehead. Highly recommend people to visit the area with their families, friends and dogs and it is such an easy place to get to with great road links from Belfast and also a train station nearby on the Bangor - Belfast train line. I'll think i'll plan a summer visit next year.
7. North Down Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
North Down Museum tells the story of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day through a series of rooms, each dedicated to a particular era of history. Key artifacts on display include the Bronze Age Ballycroghan Swords, the Bangor Bell from the hugely important Bangor Abbey settlement, and the Raven Maps, the only complete folio of Plantation era maps in Ireland. North Down Museum is situated at the rear of the Town Hall, Bangor Castle, on Castle Park Avenue. The Castle, built for the Hon. R.E. Ward in 1852, had a courtyard and stables and the Museum has developed around these. North Down Museum is a FREE attraction in the heart of Bangor. Here you can also rest and enjoy a meal or snack in Coffee Cure, the Museum café.
Reviewed By Stephendavies1957
The museum is very engaging.As a military buff the screen showing the dead of WW1 including several sets of brothers was moving.The Viking long house and monks cell are great.The staff are all lovely.Friendly.Heplful.Charming.The cafe was superb.Again the service was great and good value.
8. Ballynoe Stone Circle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By annieJB1976 - Belfast, United Kingdom
A lovely place to visit. The walk to the actually stones is just lovely. A little quiet hedge covered lane way with fairy doors and other little things left along the hedgerows. The stones themselves have a peaceful quietness around them and lovely just to sit on one and reflect in peace.
9. Inch Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By AliCat939 - Portaferry, United Kingdom
Inch Abbey is a 12th & 13th century Abbey, set on the banks of the river Quoile. It is a stunningly beautiful setting, made more famous as the scene where Robb Stark celebrated victory, with his army, after the 'Battle of the Whispering Wood'. It is a lovely place to visit, to walk your dag, have a picnic or just wander about learning about its history & the lifestyle of the monks from the very informative plaques set around the site. Expect to see a GoT's tour bus, with excited cape wearing, sword bearing tourists!
10. Murlough National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
Reviewed By machinmad - Norwich, United Kingdom
From the car park we took the right hand boardwalk to the beach then followed the shoreline right round the peninsular and back inland to the road bridge. It was high tide and very wet, but was just manageable . The sea walk was spectacular, as the big waves crashed in. Seals basked on the opposite shore, oblivious to the sound of gunfire from the military firing range. A stunning 2hr circular walk despite the heavy rain on the way back!
