Newtownards Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Mount Stewart House and Gardens showing heritage architecture, a garden and a house
Newtownards
Newtownards
Mount Stewart House and Gardens which includes autumn leaves and forests
Newtownards

Visit an important monument to World War II, play a few rounds of golf and gaze up at the iconic tower in the hilltop park.

Newtownards is a fairly developed town with a rich history and fascinating monuments. Overlooked by the imposing Scrabo Tower, the town lies in a pleasant valley surrounded by green countryside. Stroll through the Old Town market for a glimpse into local traditions and customs.

Visit the city centre for Ards Shopping Centre and Londonderry Park. Bring the kids to the adventure centre of Happy Town.

Stroll through the pleasant hilltop fields of Scrabo Country Park in the southwestern part of the town. Enjoy a picnic with excellent views of the picturesque countryside from this great vantage point. The park’s centerpiece is the 19th-century Scrabo Tower, with its iconic turreted tower.

Relax with a few rounds at Scrabo Golf Club which fills the southern end of the park. An alternative is Clandeboye Golf Course near Bangor, which has two 18-hole championship courses.

Also on the way to Bangor, a little north of Newtownards, lies the Somme Museum, which honours the spot where the soldiers of the 108th Brigade trained for World War II. Take a guided tour for a comprehensive understanding of the many objects and photos displayed and stories shared.

Make your way southeast along the coast to Mount Stewart, where you will find the 19th-century Mount Stewart House and GardensOpens in a new window. This stately manor has a neoclassical style and period furnishings. Visit the ruins of nearby Grey Abbey, which dates back to the 12th century.

Enjoy the fairly sunny summers in the green countryside and expect wet weather year-round. Note that the town is known by locals as Ards.

Find the town in the borough of Ards in northeastern Northern Ireland. It is just a 30-minute drive east of BelfastOpens in a new window, which has the Belfast International Airport. Visit nearby towns, such as Bangor, Comber and the many other villages on the Ards Peninsula.

Newtownards is a lively town surrounded by a scenic hilltop with one of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks.

Where to stay in Newtownards

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Moneyreagh

Moneyreagh is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Newtownards area, you might plan a trip to Dundonald International Ice Bowl or Ravenhill Stadium.

Moneyreagh
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Ballygowan

While Ballygowan isn't home to many top sights, Balmoral Golf Club and Rockmount Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Ballygowan
La Mon Hotel And Country Club

La Mon Hotel And Country Club

4 out of 5
41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Newtownards. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (542 reviews)
"Had nice wee solo break for 1 nite...only thing is am a real coffee person and coffee at breakfast wasnt great...but otherwise lovely ....."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

La Mon Hotel And Country Club
Strangford Arms Hotel Newtownards

Strangford Arms Hotel Newtownards

3 out of 5
92 Church Street, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
The price is AU$222 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$222
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Newtownards. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (196 reviews)
"Great little hotel, excellent parking, and easy access to a major shopping mall. Hotel staff are very friendly and most helpful, I would especially like to mention a young lady whose name I believe is Elisha, who went above and beyond to help me during my stay. I would also like to mention in dispatches, ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Strangford Arms Hotel Newtownards
Leonardo Hotel Belfast

Leonardo Hotel Belfast

4 out of 5
Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$165 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$165
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,394 reviews)
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Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Leonardo Hotel Belfast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cosy Log Cabin - views of Scrabo Tower

Cosy Log Cabin - views of Scrabo Tower

Comber
Stay at this cabin in Newtownards. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and tennis courts. Popular attractions Scrabo Tower and Dundonald International Ice Bowl are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Nice little cabin with a beautiful view and nice little town
"We enjoyed this little cabin which had nice amenities, was clean and quiet. It was nice being outside the busy city but close enough to only drive 35 min to Titanic in Belfast."

Reviewed on 29 June 2025

Cosy Log Cabin - views of Scrabo Tower
The Ulsterville Residences

The Ulsterville Residences

3 out of 5
56 Ulsterville Avenue Lisburn road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly apartment in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Windsor Park are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (44 reviews)
"This was a lovely place to stay once you got to the apartment. The picture of the front is a little deceiving if you're actually staying in a back apartment. Otherwise the apartment was beautiful. The one thing i would fix is how clean the bathroom was; floor grout was quite dirty. Communication ..."

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

The Ulsterville Residences
Regency House

Regency House

5 out of 5
12 Upper Cres, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and room service. Popular attractions Titanic Belfast and Belfast Botanic ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"We had an unforgettable stay at the Regency House in Belfast. The Mayor’s Suite was absolutely incredible—spacious, elegant, and full of character. Just as impressive was the service; each of the girls we dealt with went above and beyond, easily some of the best hospitality we’ve ever experienced ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Regency House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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