Local Attractions
Strangford Lough
All around!
Exploris Northern Ireland Aquarium
3.3 miles (5 minutes)
Kirkistown Race Track
5.2 miles (5 minutes)
The Saltwater Brig (Bar & Restaurant)
1.8 miles (2 minutes)
Portaferry
3.0 miles (5 minutes)
Kircubbin
4.7 miles (7 minutes)
Mountstewart (National Trust)
12.9 miles (21 minutes)
Cloughy Beach
7.6 miles (11 minutes)
Newtownards
18.2 miles (25 minutes)
Greyabbey
11.2 miles (15 minutes)
Lough Cowey
1 mile (2 minutes)
STRANGFORD LOUGH
Strangford Lough is the largest sea Lough in the British Isles, covering 150 km² it is noted as one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas on the island of Ireland. It is almost completely landlocked, the only access to the Irish Sea is from a narrow stretch of water either side of Portaferry and Strangford. You can get to each town by ferry, either as a foot passenger or by car, this is highly recommended during the summer months, it’s a great trip, you can see the breathtaking views of the coastline mid way across!
Strangford Bay Lodge is fortunate to be central to the most impressive parts and central to perhaps the least known parts. We will be happy to pass on the 'secret' local knowledge so you can appreciate the nocks and niches only we know!
EXPLORIS NORTHERN IRELAND AQUARIUM
Exploris is Northern Ireland’s only aquarium and seal rescue centre. This award winning visitor attraction is located in Portaferry, on the shores of Strangford Lough – one of only 3 designated marine nature reserves in the UK.
Come and visit the seal sanctuary, it takes you through the seals journey back to health. You will see where the pups are kept when they are very young, the ponds where they learn to swim and eventually their release back into the wild. There are large viewing windows below the sea itself, visitors come face to face with all kinds of native fish, only usually seen by divers who brave the chilly waters if the Irish Sea.
The facility is fully accessible and provides a range of activities and events throughout the year. There is also a gift shop, café and park/picnic area on site.
KIRKISTOWN RACETRACK
Kirkistown racetrack has just undergone a major new development, may changes have taken place over the last two years. A new club house has been built. On the ground floor is a catering facility (seated or takeout), there is modern toilet facilities; ladies gents and disabled. Stairs and a disabled lift lead to the first floor where a lounge bar is located; it has pretty much a full view of the whole circuit. Most importantly though are the corners, it has this easily covered, a great place to watch a day’s racing.
All sorts of car/bike events are organised year round, please check their website for a full programme: www.kirkistown.com
THE SALTWATER BRIG
The Saltwater Brig is a charming country pub nestled on the main road between Kircubbin and Portaferry. Famous for its food and its friendly and efficient service, the ‘Brig’ as locals call it is a fantastic place to meet up with friends or family for a few drinks and a bite to eat.
The atmosphere is great, with its traditional country style dining room and snug. Some weekends live music is played by various local bands and singers, perfect to get your weekend rocking!
Come summer or winter the Saltwater Brig is the place to be, in summer relax outside with plentiful sunshine in the extensive garden area. In winter come out of the cold air and book a table next to the roaring open fire, perfect to enjoy a winter warmer drink and some good wholesome food.
What are you waiting for, come sample the excellent food on offer.
The Brig are more than happy to cater for large numbers of disabled customers and it has the facilities to do so. A large car park is located opposite which can easily accommodate coaches as well as cars.
If you fancy a quiet night in, The Brig now offer freshly cooked pizzas with toppings of your choice to take out, you can order, collect and bring them back to Strangford Bay Lodge to enjoy – we are more than happy!
For more info visit their website at www.saltwaterbrig.com.
PORTAFERRY
Portaferry is a small town on the tip of the Ards Peninsula, one of the most beautiful we think! It has many amenities available including Exploris (see above), Portaferry Castle, Tourist Information, RNLI house, various shops, pubs, café’s, an ice cream parlour, a hotel, pharmacy, petrol station and the Strangford Ferry of course. Cross over the Lough to Strangford, another beautiful spot in only 10 minutes.
KIRCUBBIN
There are plenty of amenities on offer here, a mini supermarket, green grocers, pharmacy, fish & chips, a bistro, local pubs and a petrol station. Soon to be immortalised on UTV's Lesser Spotted Ulster.
MOUNTSTEWART
This neo-classical 18th century house and celebrated gardens is one of Ireland's most popular National Trust Properties. Situated on the east shore on Strangford Lough it has dramatic views right across the peninsula. Located in between the town of Newtownards and the village of Greyabbey it makes for a fantastic day out. Events such as concerts, tractor shows and fayres are held here. Check out the website for a calendar of events: http://beta.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/
Also located on site is the award winning Bay Restaurant, a Plant Centre (recently opened and a haven for gardeners!) and a shop selling local arts, crafts and not to mention the famous Mount Stewart ice-cream!! Parking is also free on site.
The stunning gardens are very lavish and well kept, recently they were voted the European Garden of Inspiration. Mount Stewart has a range of accessible facilities such as; mobility parking (100yds away), drop off point at main building, adapted toilet at main reception, Braille guide, level entrance to the building itself and partly accessible grounds, loose gravel paths. There is an accessible route of the gardens of which a map can be provided. They also have 3 single seater PMV’s, (these must be booked in advance)
CLOUGHY BEACH
Cloughey Bay has a sandy beach over a mile long curving from Ringbuoy Point at its Northern extremity to Slanes Point in the South. At low tide the beach is great to sit on watch the world go by!
The bay faces South East and a long spit of stones running from Ringbuoy Point to North Rock provides protection from the normal swell of the Irish Sea. The bay is flat which is perfect for a range of water sports, this is popular with wind and kite surfers, water skiers and Jet-skiers alike.
There is no pier or jetty so not many boats are moored here, most of the speed and sail boat users launch from the beach. The south end of the beach has a good variety of sea-birds, weather you’re an avid bird watcher or just want to pass the time of day this is the place to do it.
Cloughey sits central to both Portaferry and Kircubbin. This coastal drive is great to explore some more beautiful parts of the Ards Peninsula.
NEWTOWNARDS
Newtownards is the nearest major town to Strangford Bay Lodge, approx 18 miles away you will find all the major shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants. The drive from Strangford Bay Lodge is very scenic along Lough side there are places to stop off and admire the view should you wish. Newtownards also hosts a continental market on selected dates throughout the year, here you can try and buy various foods throughout Europe. The market is located in the town square. Newtownards is also famous for its airport/flying club. Even if you are not a member you can come here and watch the light aircraft take off and land, there is a also a shop where you can purchase snacks and light refreshments.
GREYABBEY
Greyabbey is a charming little village with a couple of cafes, an arts & craft shop, garden shop, pub and church. It is located on the main road between Kircubbin and Newtownards.LOUGH COWEY
2 minutes up the road you will find Lough Cowey, here you can purchase a pass and fish in the fresh water Lough, very nice secluded and quaint location. There is a nice walk alongside the Lough too however quite hilly so harder for wheelchair users.GOLF
If you enjoy golf there are a couple of courses within the area. The closest of which is located at Kirkistown, Scrabo golf club is located in Newtownards.SAILING
There also two sailing clubs located in the area, Newtownards and Portaferry.
