Newtownards

Newtownards sits at the head of Strangford Lough, about 16 kilometres east of Belfast, serving as your gateway to the Ards Peninsula. The A20 takes you straight through from Belfast, with handy connections to Comber, Bangor, and down to Downpatrick. The real treat is the peninsula drive to Portaferry, where you can catch the wee ferry across the lough for a grand circular route back. Scrabo Tower dominates the skyline above town, giving you cracking views over the lough and its seal colonies. The town centre keeps its old market character, with a 17th-century cross and medieval priory ruins worth a quick look.