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The maritime resort of Bangor is situated on the picturesque south shore of Belfast Lough some 12 miles east of Belfast. For more than 150 years Bangor has been one of Northern Ireland's main tourist destinations. An array of top class attractions and specialist activities combine with everything from the best in family entertainment to superb sporting facilities and excellent shopping.
Bangor Marina
Bangor also boasts one of Ireland's largest marinas which holds the prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Award. On the far side of the Marina is Pickie Family Fun Park, a seaside oasis for children with Giant Swan pedal boats, paddling pools, adventure playgrounds, cafe and a miniature railway.
Whether you're enjoying a short break, romantic weekend or business trip, Bangor's unique combination of attractions, activities and accommodation will ensure a holiday you will long remember.
Train: approximate walking distance in minutes from Bangor Bus and Rail Centre unless otherwise stated.
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Tower House
The 17th Century Tower and adjoining Tower House on Bangor Seafront are well preserved reminders of Bangor's sea-faring history alongside its modern Marina. Originally built in 1637 as a Custom House, the architecture of the Tower is unique in Bangor and rare in Ulster. Over the past 300 years the building has served various purposes - private dwellings, an antique shop and housed hot sea water baths. Today Tower House serves as the Council's Tourist Information Centre, and is accessible for disabled visitors.
Tel: 028 9127 0069
Fax: 028 9127 4466
Open: January to May & September to December - Monday & Tuesday: 9am to 5pm, Wednesday: 10am to 5pm, Thursday & Friday: 9am to 5pm, Saturday:10am to 4pm, Sunday: Closed
June - Same hours as above plus Sat 10am to 5pm
July & August - Monday & Tuesday: 9am to 6pm, Wednesday: 10am to 6pm, Thursday & Friday: 9am to 6pm, Saturday:10am to 5pm & Sunday 1pm to 5pm
Accessible for people with disabilities.
Train: 10 mins
Bangor Marina
Bangor Marina is one of Ireland's largest and holds the prestigious Five Anchors and Blue Flag awards and is situated in the centre of the town and boasts over 500 berths. For those berthing in the marina there is 24 hour access and all amenities needed including wireless internet. Next to the Marina is the promenade with beautiful views and Pickie Family Fun Park.
Open: Restricted to boat owners only. 24 hour non
restricted tidal access.
Tel: 028 9145 3297
Train: 10 mins
Pickie Family Fun Park
Pickie Family Fun Park is a favourite venue for people of all ages to enjoy traditional seaside fun and games. Parents can sip a cooling drink on the patio terrace of the Windjammer Cafe while the children play safely in the Adventure Playground, with its maritime theme and exciting equipment. Climb aboard the Pickie Puffer for a narrow gauge railway journey around the colourful landscape or paddle a giant Swan around the shallow waters of the lovely Lagoon. Laugh along with the kids at the antics of the entertainers in the open-air arena or have a go on the mini go-karts.
The fun park is at the gateway to the magnificent Marine Gardens, a delightful stretch of coast for leisurely walks. There are panoramic views of Bangor Bay and the blue hills of Antrim beyond. Just take a seat, relax and marvel at the wonders all around, or eat your picnic on the steps of the ornate Bandstand (dating from 1891) on your way to Wilson's Point.
Open: Easter - October: Mon - Sun 10am – 10pm
November - Easter: Sat & Sun & Holidays 10am - Dusk.
Admission: There is a charge for rides.
Marine Gardens are part of the North Down Coastal
Path and are always accessible.
Tel: 028 9185 7030
Train: 10 mins
Sunken Gardens
Extend your walk around the marina and stroll through the Sunken Gardens. The McKee Clock is one of the seafront's oldest and most enduring landmarks. Bregenz House is headquarters of the Coastguard and is named after the twinned town of Bregenz in Austria. Past the busy boatyard opposite Tower House is the Harbour and Eisenhower Pier. You have a unique opportunity to see at close quarters a rare colony of black guillemots nesting in the harbour wall.
Open: Sunken gardens and Eisenhower Pier accessible all year.
Train: 10 mins
Bangor Abbey
This is a wonderful ancient Abbey, with distinguished scholarly tradition, associated with St Comgall and St Columbanus. Throughout history the abbey was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The oldest surviving remnant of its past is St Malachy’s Wall, adjacent to the Old Gate Lodge. The main body of the building dates from the 1830’s and 1840’s but the tower is from the 15th century and the octagonal steeple dates from around 1693. The churchyard has many old and interesting gravestones including a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic.
Open: Interior may be viewed by prior arrangement.
The exterior and graveyard are freely available to view
all year round.
Admission: By donation
Train: 5 mins
Bangor Castle
Completed in 1852 for The Hon Robert Edward Ward, this imposing building is not so much a castle as an elegant mansion in the Elizabethan-Jacobean revival style. It has no fewer than 35 bedrooms and incorporates a huge saloon for musical recitals. When the then municipal authority, Bangor Borough Council, acquired the Castle and grounds, the music saloon became the Council Chamber. The first Council meeting was held there almost exactly 100 years after the building-now known as the Town Hall was first completed. Situated in Castle Park the gardens have won many awards for their outstanding blooms - they are accessible for disabled visitors.
Open: Bangor Castle and its surrounding gardens can be admired from the outside at all times. The reception area of the Town Hall is open during office hours.
Tel: 028 9127 0371
Train: 5 mins
North Down Heritage Centre
Learn something of the fascinating saga of the area in Northern Ireland's most visited small museum, located around a covered courtyard at the rear of Bangor Castle.
The story of the region's history, archaeology and wildlife unfolds before you through a series of exciting audio visual displays and intriguing exhibits. Here you will see examples of archaeological finds, such as the Ballycrochan Swords, dating from 500 BC, and a 9th Century hand bell which is evocative of the period when Bangor's monastery was one of the most important in Christendom. Other displays highlight the natural history of the area (including, in summer, an observation beehive which children adore). A unique feature is the Jordan Room, a magnificent collection of antique objects from the Far East.
Have a meal or a snack in the Castle Garden Restaurant, a delightful place to relax and take refreshment after a tour of the centre or a walk through the park.
The foyer sales desk offers a range of books/literature on the area and souvenirs/gift items.
Attend one of the special events and exhibitions promoted in the centre. The award-winning annual Aspects Festival is now one of Ireland's most prestigious showcases of the literary arts, presenting leading writers and performers in splendid surroundings (late September each year).
Open: Tues - Sat 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Sun 2pm - 4:30pm
July and August: Tues - Sun until 5:30 pm
Closed on Mondays, except Bank Holidays.
Accessible for people with disabilities.
Admission: Free
Tel: 028 9127 1200 and 9127 0371
Train: 5 mins
Bangor Castle Leisure Centre
A multi-purpose wet and dry centre, facilities include four Swimming Pools, Health Suite, a large Sports Hall, two Fitness Studios, four Glassbacked Squash Courts and a modern Fitness Suite.
Open: 7 days a week all year.
Telephone: 028 9127 0271.
Train: 5 mins
Bangor Multiplex
In this leisure facility, there is a seven-screen cinema with stereophonic sound showing the latest movies. A loop system is available in two of the cinemas. There are facilities for the disabled i.e. lift and toilets as well as a shop and cafe.
Open: Mon - Fri 1:30pm - 11:00pm
Sat & Sun 11:30 am - 1am
Tel: 028 9146 5007
Train: 10mins
Attractions l Beaches, parks & walks l Shopping l Accommodation
North Down Coastal Path
The North Down Coastal Path is one of the most important nature walks in Ireland. It extends along the southern shore of Belfast Lough from Holywood to Portavoe. You can take the train and join the path at many places along its 16 mile route.
On a walk along the coastal path you can enjoy a variety of geological features, some made 400 to 500 million years ago making them among the oldest in Ireland, or identify the many different wild flowers, shrubs and bushes. This beautiful environment, with its contrasting shoreline, provides a number of differing habitats from rocky shores through salt marshes and mud flats to sandy beaches, and a wide variety of bird species can be observed and a special treat are the grey or Atlantic seals which bask on the rocks at Ballymacormick, Orlock and Rockport.
The seals are from the colony on the Copeland Islands where "Lighthouse Island" is an important bird observatory. In a morning stroll, one can observe numerous wading birds, cormorants and many other species vary season to season, and in winter Northern Divers from the Arctic visit. The area is perhaps most noted for its colony of Black Guillemots or "Bangor Penguins" which nest in the holes of the Eisenhower Pier. The path boasts two areas managed by the National Trust - Ballymacormick Point and Orlock Point, both rich in wild plant life.
Train: Walking distance from halts along the Coastal Path:
Ward Park
There is such a variety of attractions packed into 37 beautifully kept acres of Ward Park. Located in the centre of Bangor you can encounter exotic wildlife by feeding the hundreds of ducks and geese waddling around its ponds or enjoy a game of bowls on its manicured greens, play tennis on its choice of 10 courts, or get together for a round of putting on its challenging little course. The park is renowned for its collection of wildfowl, some of them housed in breeding pens at the edge of the main pond.
Identification panels describe the huge variety of ducks which thrive on the necklace of little lakes and islands stretching through the park. There's a colony of rabbits near the soft-surface playground and a mini-menagerie of hamsters, guinea-pig, fancy poultry and pheasants. Colourful budgies and finches fly free within its aviaries. The formal gardens near the War Memorial are ablaze with colourful bedding plants and climbing roses in summer. There's no better place in Bangor to relax and unwind in tranquil surroundings. Ward park is open at all times and is accessible for people with disabilities.
Open: Entrances are at Castle Street, near Bangor Hospital and at Hamilton Road alongsidem Carnegie Library and Bangor Art Studio. Sports facilities are open Easter - October 7 days a week. Check opening times and make booking arrangements by telephone:
Tel: Tennis 028 9145 7177
Bowls/Putting 028 9145 8773
Train: 10 mins
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Flagship Centre
The Flagship Centre is situated in the town centre at the seafront, with Dunnes Stores, the Co-Op, Iceland and Argos being the main anchor stores. The centre also boasts a fantastic food court including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Subway and additional food providers. The Flagship is also complemented by numerous quality shops in Main Street, including HMV Music, Easons and Woolworths.
Flagship Centre, Bangor Town Centre
ASDA, Menary's and Tempest department stores are the anchor stores for Main Street. For the specialist shopper there is a cluster of unique antique shops along Grays Hill. High Street also hosts a number of boutiques and speciality stores and cafe's.
Train: 5 mins
Attractions l Beaches, parks & walks l Shopping l Accommodation
Whether you fancy staying for a romantic night in a five star hotel complete with luxurious spa, or enjoying a week of family fun in a self catering bungalow, or taking a weekend break in a cosy guest house, simply call 028 9127 0069 or click www.northdowntourism.com for more information.
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