‘There’s something special about a coastal morning.The day seems to have so much more potential when there’s a seaside attached to it’
(Joanna Cannon-Three Things About Elsie)
The seaside of the Ards Peninsula is on our doorstep. It’s part of the Mourne Coastal Route – a signposted mini road trip!Download the pdf here
Start at Bangor town. Park at the marina & walk to Pickie Park. There’s a park & floating swan rides for children. Visit the Containers with crafts along the front.
There’s plenty of coffee shops- Cafe Guillemot is my favourite. Try Jamaica Inn or The Salty Dog for a meal
Groomsport is a coastal village with small sandy beaches, a play park & quaint Cockle Row cottages
Drive along Warren Road to Orlock path- & discover the rugged coastline.
Donaghadee is famous for its Lighthouse & there’s many coffee shops to choose from. Bridewell is our favourite with Maud’s Ice-cream shop opposite.Visit the Cabin -a 90yr old traditional sweet shop & the Co-op for supplies.
The Commons has a play park & is also a motorhome stop over.
If you have more time,take a fishing trip to Copeland Island & Mew Island(from the harbour in summer months)
Millisle is the next village with a sandy beach & man-made Laguna.Just out of the village is Ballycopeland windmill.
Ballywalter has a blue flag Sandy beach to enjoy.
There’s a rocky shoreline to Ballyhalbert & Burr point is most easterly point in Ireland
The next village is Portavogie with a harbour & beach
Ratallagh car park is on the other side toward Cloughey with its sandy beach
Last but not least, my favourite beach is Knockinelder near Kearney National Trust village.
Wee detours:
If you’ve more time visit Eden pottery for ‘Handmade loveliness’ in Ballyfrenis between Millisle & Carrowdore
Or visit Creative Gardens Garden Centre outside Donaghadee
Visit Crawfordsburn Village & Inn for fine food. The Country Park has a Beach & Glen Walk under the viaduct toward the Waterfall.
For Supplies & provisions pull into Crawfordsburn petrol station as you go out of the village before turning right toward the Country Park
Walk from Helen’s Bay to Hollywood -5 miles along coastal track. We usually take the train or a taxi back again.
In Hollywood we recommend The Ruddy Duck chip & fish shop & The Coffee Yard
Call into Clandeboye Estate & buy some yoghurt (pay in the honesty box)
Walk to Helen’s Tower
Visit Mckee’s for Farm fresh flavour
Petrol stations along the route:
Bangor
Donaghadee
Cloughey
Carrowdore
Portaferry
**Read our post about the Lough side of the Peninsula
☘️Keep on exploring!
coinnigh ort ag iniúchadh☘️