Discover Newtownards: History, Art and Scrabo

Newtownards combines an impressive history with art, market life and the diverse landscape around Scrabo Country Park. Anyone planning a trip to Northern Ireland can choose between historical discoveries, walking trails, cultural events and a regular market day here. This combination makes the town an interesting base for travellers who want to experience not just one attraction, but different sides of a region during their holiday.

Historical traces in the townscape

A prominent point of interest is Market Cross. The present building was completed in 1666 after the original structure had been destroyed in 1653. The two dates reflect a long construction history and give the visit a specific historical context. Newtownards Priory takes you even further back: the site contains significant remains of a Dominican monastery founded in 1244. The surviving remains are the only ones of their kind in Northern Ireland.

Walking-trail guides help visitors explore Newtownards' history in greater depth, following in the footsteps of Normans, Vikings and saints. This is particularly suitable for visitors who want to structure their tour around a theme rather than viewing individual historical sites independently of one another. The Ards Arts Centre provides a modern cultural focus. It is housed in Newtownards' restored Georgian town hall, completed in 1770, and has two professional galleries, the Georgian Gallery and the Sunburst Gallery.

Art, events and regional impressions

The Ards Arts Centre hosts exhibitions, creative workshops, live music and theatre performances, among other events. Many events in the Borough's annual programme are held there. This allows you to plan your trip according to your interests and how you feel on the day: a historical tour can be followed by a creative or musical experience, while another day can focus more on the landscape and outdoor activity.

The Newtownards Market offers a separate insight into the local rhythm. It takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm at Conway Square. By including this date in your plans, you can experience the town at a clearly defined point in the week and use the market as a starting point for further discoveries. The Ards Visitor Information Centre also provides information about accommodation, local events and places to eat.

Scrabo Country Park and the landscape

Scrabo Country Park offers walking trails through the beech and hazel woods of Killynether. Geological dykes and horizontal sills can be seen in the disused quarries. Wildlife is also part of the character of this landscape: ravens and jackdaws nest in the quarries; they have also been breeding grounds for kestrels and peregrine falcons.

Dominating the landscape is Scrabo Tower, built in 1857 as a monument to Charles Stewart, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. Scrabo Golf Club offers another perspective, with views over Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains. This allows you to choose between woodland paths, geological features, historic architecture and wide-ranging views, depending on your preferred focus.

Newtownards as a base for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Newtownards, it is worth deciding first what mix of activities you want for your days. Those interested in culture can focus on the Priory, Market Cross and the Ards Arts Centre. Anyone who prefers to spend time outdoors can make the walking trails, quarries and Scrabo Tower the centre of their trip. The Saturday market complements both types of holiday with a fixed local event.

For getting there, the road connection is just as relevant as public buses operated by Translink: Newtownards is best reached by road and by Translink's public buses. You can then include other places in your research: Greyabbey, Comber, Portaferry, Killinchy.

For the wider travel overview: Ards.