Bangor is Northern Ireland's premier maritime resort with the seafront home to Bangor Marina, beautiful landscaped gardens and a promenade that runs from the Marina to Pickie Funpark and on to the North Down Coastal Path.
With top class accommodation and plenty to see and do Bangor offers something for all.
Pickie Funpark is located just next to the marina. Renovated and reopened in 2012, the park now boasts a fantastic 18 hole nautical themed mini-golf course, children's electric cars, splash pads and old favourites like the Giant Swan pedal boats, a playpark and the Pickie Puffer. The modern cafe offers a superb view over Belfast Lough and Bangor Marina as well as a family friendly menu.
North Down Museum, just ten minutes walk from the marina, in the beautiful surrounds of Castle Park, hosts displays reflecting the pivotal role nearby Bangor Abbey held in early Christian Ireland and throughout Europe. Visitors will love the full-size Monk's Cell and Viking Long-house. Nostalgic displays on Bangor's early days as a resort, plus a mini cinema combine with temporary exhibitions to make this a 'must' for all ages. Café and gift shop on site. Admission Free.
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is only 15 minutes by car or public transport, located roughly between Bangor and Holywood at Cultra. Step back in time and uncover a way of life from 100 years ago. Discover town and countryside with cottages, farms, schools and shops in the Folk Museum. The Transport Museum is bursting with majestic steam locomotives, horse drawn carriages, electric trams, boats, motorbikes, fire-engines and vintage cars. Visit TITANIC: The Exhibition and explore a fascinating collection of original artefacts, including RMS Titanic objects from the seabed.
Shopping - Just yards from the marina is Bangor's Main Street and High Street, home to many independent retailers and high street stores, as well as a great array of eateries and coffee shops. Go a little further to the outskirts of Bangor and you will find Bloomfield Shopping Centre and various retail parks, providing even more of a shopping experience.
Parks and Gardens - Bangor is packed with parks perfect for leisurely strolls. Ward Park, walkable from the town centre, is home to a wildfowl sanctuary and a children's playground. Bangor Castle Walled Garden, located beside the Town Hall in the grounds of the leafy Castle Park, offers a perfect place to escape from the buzz of town life. The walled garden is open seasonally and admission is free.
Accommodation - The town has a wide range of accommodation to suit all pockets with top class hotels, several suited along the seafront with others located in the countryside. The town is also blessed with award winning bed and breakfast establishments, guesthouses and self catering properties.
Leisure Activities range from self-guided and guided walking tours, golf at one of the seven courses, sea angling, boat tours and leisure facilities such as a brand new aquatic and leisure complex, opening Spring 2012, in Bangor centre, and Bangor Sportsplex and its athletics track and hockey/football pitches on the outskirts.
Events - Bangor hosts an exciting and varied programme of events based in the centre of town including the annual Easter Parade and Family Funday, a summer programme of street theatre and live music and a fantastic Christmas Fireworks display.
The Tourist Information Centre is located opposite the marina in Tower House where you can pick up free information on local and national attractions and events, book accommodation and purchase giftware from a fantastic range of souvenirs, local crafts and jewellery.
Holywood is a picturesque town located only 20 minutes from Bangor by train or bus and is North Down's jewel in the crown. Renowned for its speciality shopping, art galleries, fine foods and cafe culture, this affluent town has beautiful parks and heritage attractions including Holywood Priory, Ireland's only maypole and the Johnny the Jig statue by the late Rosamund Praeger, Irish illustrator and sculptor. It is also home to Holywood Yacht Club and the esplanade, which marks the start of the North Down Coastal Path, 16 miles of stunning scenery that runs through Bangor to Portavoe.
Holywood is also home to the Old Priory and Redburn Country Park whilst the Holywood Yacht Club and esplanade mark the start of the 16 miles North Down Coastal Path, which runs through Bangor to Portavoe.home to the Old Priory and Redburn Country Park while the yacht club and esplanade marks the starting point of the North Down Coastal Path, which runs through Bangor and Groomsport to Portavoe.
Groomsport, just 10 minutes from the marina, is a quaint fishing village built round a small beach, harbour and National Trust Nature Reserve. The 17th century Cockle Row Cottages are open May-September for tourist information and houses a gift shop of locally made crafts and hosts family friendly events during the season.
Crawfordsburn and Helen's Bay are two picturesque villages located approximately 3 miles west of Bangor and can be reached on foot from the coastal path next to the marina. Crawfordsburn Country Park covers 300 acres of parkland, beach and coastal walks whilst Helen's Bay features just one of the several beaches in the North Down area.
For further information visit or telephone Bangor Tourist Information Centre.
tel: +44 (0)28 9127 0069
email: tic@northdown.gov.uk
web: www.northdowntourism.com