Our View
The 135-foot high Scrabo Tower, one of Northern Ireland's best-known landmarks, dominates the landscape of North Down and is the centre of a country park around the slopes of Scrabo Hill. The Tower provides a series of interpretative displays about the surrounding countryside, and the viewing platform boasts spectacular views over Strangford Lough and County Down. The park provides walks through fine beech and hazel woodlands, and the unique sandstone quarries display evidence of volcanic activity, as well as being breeding sites for peregrine falcons.
Features
- Parking onsite
- Facilities: Audio visual presentation, introductory display
- Accessible toilets
- Opening Times: Country Park open all year, daily. Tower open Jul-Sept, 1st Sat each month. Please see website for full details
Also in the area
About the area
Discover County Down
Geographically, County Down seems to put a long arm around Strangford Lough, over 70 square miles of water. The arm is the Ards Peninsula, the most easterly part of Ireland.
Strangford Lough is a ria (a drowned estuary), caused by rising sea levels at the end of the Ice Age It is dotted with some 70 small islands, actually the highest points of drowned drumlins (small rounded hills) formed of material left behind by glaciers. The Lough is home to large flocks of wintering wildfowl that congregate on the mudflats surrounding its shores. About 9 square miles of the lough are a designated reserve for this reason.
Bangor is at the top of the peninsula, and with its picturesque seafront promenades, a charming marina and many shops and restaurants, it is regularly voted the most desirable place to live in Northern Ireland. Much of the town dates from the Victorian era with some historic buildings as well as some more modern development, and one of the largest open-air markets in Northern Ireland.
Nearby stays
Places to Stay
Dining nearby
Restaurants and Pubs
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