What to do and see in Belfast City Region, Northern Ireland: The Best Free Things to do

November 6, 2021 Merry Kessler

Discover the best top things to do in Belfast City Region, United Kingdom including Marine Gardens Coastal Walk, Ulster Aviation Society, Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, Bangor Marina, Castle Park, Crawfordsburn Country Park, North Down Museum, Dundrum Castle, Murlough National Nature Reserve, Grey Abbey.
Restaurants in Belfast City Region

1. Marine Gardens Coastal Walk

Pickie Fun Park, Bangor Northern Ireland +44 28 9127 0069
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 47 reviews

Marine Gardens Coastal Walk

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.

2. Ulster Aviation Society

94-B Halftown Road via Gate 3 - Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn BT27 5RF Northern Ireland +44 7724 896215 [email protected] http://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 317 reviews

Ulster Aviation Society

WHO ARE WE? A charitable society that is a diverse group of enthusiasts, working on a voluntary basis to further public education in the history of aviation. WHAT AIRCRAFT DO WE HAVE? Our heritage collection currently includes 41+ aircraft, ranging from vintage WWII fighters through Cold War era fast jets, Shorts designed & built aircraft, civilian aircraft, plus military helicopters, engines, artefacts and rare aviation reference materials, all with strong links to aviation within the island of Ireland. Our aircraft are housed within an ex-WWII hangar at Maze Long Kesh, outside Lisburn (on the site of the old prison). • Charitable association of Aviation Enthusiasts • Over 680+ members, including Europe & USA Ulster Aviation Society is a charitable association. N. Ireland. Charity No. NIC 100128. NI Charity Commission Registered. Associate member of Northern Ireland Museums’ Council

Reviewed By BoardingPass162734

Amazing collection, with a very knowledgeable and friendly staff and great opportunities for volunteers (young and old), to high-light this gem of a collection. I thoroughly enjoyed my few hours there and wish I was closer, as I'd be there volunteering too. Keep coming back as there is always something new and interesting to see - and the standard of restoration is top notch and a credit to high calibre of the team there, and giving youngsters many opportunities to help out and build those all important life skills. Please pass the word around and support this wonderful charity.and visit it soon.

3. Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

3 Castle Street The Stables, Portaferry BT22 1NZ Northern Ireland +44 28 4272 9882 [email protected] http://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/portaferry-visitor-information-centre
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you make the most of your visit with a wide range of free information on attractions, activities, accommodation and events around beautiful Strangford Lough, Ards and North Down and throughout N Ireland. Well stocked gift shop with books of local interest and souvenirs. Free family entertainment Saturday afternoons in July & August.

4. Bangor Marina

Bangor Northern Ireland +44 28 9145 3297 http://www.quaymarinas.com/our-marinas/bangor-marina/
Excellent
53%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 193 reviews

Bangor Marina

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

Bangor BT20 4BN Northern Ireland +44 28 9127 0069 http://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/castle-park
Excellent
44%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Castle Park

6. Crawfordsburn Country Park

Bridge Road South Helen's Bay, Bangor BT19 1JT Northern Ireland +44 28 9185 3621 http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/crawfordsburn-country-park
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 385 reviews

Crawfordsburn Country Park

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

Town Hall The Castle The Castle, Bangor BT20 4BT Northern Ireland +44 28 9127 1200 [email protected] http://northdownmuseum.com
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 111 reviews

North Down Museum

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. Dundrum Castle

Castle Hill Dundrum, Newcastle BT33 0LN Northern Ireland +44 28 9023 5000 http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Dundrum-Castle-Dundrum-Newcastle-P2866
Excellent
50%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 193 reviews

Dundrum Castle

Reviewed By jade191215

We were the only ones to visit the castle. It is incredible with a lovely view of Dundrum when you climb on top of it, and it is a 7 minute walk from the center of Dundrum.

9. Murlough National Nature Reserve

The Mourne Mountains, Newcastle BT33 0NQ Northern Ireland +44 28 4375 1467 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/murlough
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 313 reviews

Murlough National Nature Reserve

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!

10. Grey Abbey

Main Street, Portaferry Northern Ireland http://www.friendsoftheabbey.co.uk
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Grey Abbey

Reviewed By Ulsterman - Ballymoney, United Kingdom

So much history and the small centre tells it well. The volunteers were very friendly and provided excellent information when asked, Such as lovely place on a good day.

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