Scrabo Tower Family Heritage Activities

Scrabo Tower stands on a volcanic plug above Newtownards, visible for miles across Co. Down, and on a clear July morning the view from its 135-foot sandstone top stretches past Strangford Lough, the Mournes, and as far as Scotland. This family heritage day, run by Ards and North Down Borough Council, turns a visit to this Victorian landmark into something more than a climb - guided tours, interpretive displays, and activities for younger visitors make it a proper outing rather than a quick look-around.

What to expect

The tower was built in 1857 as a memorial to Charles Vane, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry - a landlord whose tenants on the Ards Peninsula raised subscriptions to honour him after a period of hardship during the Great Famine. That history is woven into the permanent exhibition inside the base of the tower, which also covers Scrabo Country Park and the geology of the quarries that once worked the distinctive pink sandstone. A 122-step spiral staircase rises to an open viewing gallery at the top; on a good July day the panorama takes in the drumlin-dotted lough, the full sweep of the Ards Peninsula, and the dome of Belfast on the northern horizon.

Outside, Killynether Wood spreads around the hillside - beech and oak paths looping past the old quarry faces, with picnic spots cut into clearings. The heritage activities programme typically includes trail-based discoveries for children, craft or history workshops tied to the site, and the chance to meet costumed or knowledgeable guides. Check the Ards and North Down website for the specific programme for this date.

Getting there

Newtownards sits at the head of the Ards Peninsula, about 10 miles east of Belfast on the A20. By road from Belfast, take the A20 through Dundonald; from the south, the A22 from Downpatrick connects through Ballygowan. Scrabo Road is signposted from the town centre. There is free car parking at the tower entrance on Scrabo Road, BT23 4SG. Metro bus services run between Belfast city centre and Newtownards; the tower is a short uphill walk or taxi ride from the bus station.

While you’re in Newtownards

The town itself has a striking 17th-century market cross in its centre and the remains of a Dominican priory nearby. It is a natural base for exploring the Ards Peninsula - Strangford Lough wildlife centre and the ferry crossing to Portaferry are both within easy reach. There is more to see in Newtownards and across Co. Down.

Good to know

• Date: Monday 20 July 2026, from 11:00am
• Admission: GBP 3.50 adults / GBP 1.50 children (under 5s are typically free)
• Organiser: Ards and North Down Borough Council
• Check the programme and any booking requirements at ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/scrabo-tower
• The internal staircase involves 122 steps - not suitable for visitors with limited mobility, but the country park paths and grounds are accessible on foot at lower levels
• Wear sturdy shoes; the hillside paths can be muddy after rain