Newtownards

Travel Guide

Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the Winds showing a house, heritage architecture and a park
Newtownards
Newtownards
Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the Winds which includes forests and autumn leaves
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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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
La Mon Hotel And Country Club

La Mon Hotel And Country Club

4 out of 5
41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €151 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€151
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (537 reviews)
We'll be back!
"We were so impressed by this hotel. Fabulous room, very comfortable and spacious. The pool was great but mostly it was the welcoming and accommodating staff who made our visit so special. They were so helpful. We got room service instead of eating in the restaurant and it was fabulous. The Operations ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 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 €132 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
€132
3 Sept - 4 Sept
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! (192 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
The price is €94 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
€94
7 Sept - 8 Sept
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! (1,352 reviews)
"A great place to stay. All amenities accessible & within walking distance. Great room, great staff, good breakfast. Not far from central station 5 minute walk. Near to opera house and Donegal sq city Hall."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 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! (3 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 Jun 2025

Cosy Log Cabin - views of Scrabo Tower
4 bed House - Private Garden - Free Parking

4 bed House - Private Garden - Free Parking

2 out of 5
Newtownards
Stay at this residence in Newtownards. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Scrabo Tower and Dundonald International Ice Bowl are ...
4 bed House - Private Garden - Free Parking
The Stables at Ballygraffan, just outside Comber in the Strangford Lough area.

The Stables at Ballygraffan, just outside Comber in the Strangford Lough area.

Comber
Stay at this vacation home in Newtownards. Enjoy a garden, patios, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Scrabo Tower and Mount Stewart House and Gardens are ...
The Stables at Ballygraffan, just outside Comber in the Strangford Lough area.
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do