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 center for Ards Shopping Center and Londonderry Park. Bring the kids to the adventure center 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 honors 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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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
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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
La Mon Hotel And Country Club

La Mon Hotel And Country Club

4 out of 5
41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
The price is €125 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
€125
12 Aug - 13 Aug
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! (535 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 9 Sept to 10 Sept
€132
9 Sept - 10 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! (190 reviews)
"Very good service, clean & comfortable hotel with a lovely Bistro Bar attached. I don’t visit Ards very often but would stay here again the next time I did"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Strangford Arms Hotel Newtownards
Maldron Hotel Belfast City

Maldron Hotel Belfast City

4 out of 5
20 Brunswick Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The price is €117 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€117
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Belfast. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,337 reviews)
"This was a nice hotel on an excellent location. The room was newly renovated. I would have given 5 stars but the breakfast let it down. Most of it was over done. Iv had buffet style breakfast at a lot of hotels. But bacon was solid as was black pudding and haggis. There was however a decent choice ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Maldron Hotel Belfast City
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.
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
Spacious Apartment with Private Terrace

Spacious Apartment with Private Terrace

Newtownards
Stay at this apartment in Newtownards. Enjoy laundry facilities and in-room jetted tubs. Popular attractions Clandeboye Golf Course and Scrabo Tower are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Great unit"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Spacious Apartment with Private Terrace
The Stables at Ballygraffan, outside. Comber - Harry's Stable

The Stables at Ballygraffan, outside. Comber - Harry's Stable

Comber
Stay at this vacation home in Newtownards. Popular attractions Scrabo Tower and Mount Stewart House and Gardens are located nearby.
The Stables at Ballygraffan, outside. Comber - Harry's Stable
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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