Days Out NI
Coastal walk Bangor

Bangor Seafront to Groomsport

A free seafront stroll from Bangor marina to a little fishing harbour with old cottages.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BangorCoastal walk
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2 hoursHow long
4 miles each wayDistance
FreeCost
Buggy okBest for
WelcomeDogs

Bangor Seafront to Groomsport — A free seafront stroll from Bangor marina to a little fishing harbour with old cottages.

  • Distance: Roughly 4 miles each way (about 6.5km), so up to 8 miles return.
  • How long: Around 1.5 to 2 hours one way at a family pace; allow a half-day with stops.
  • Terrain: Paved promenade for the first half, then rough grass, gorse and rocky paths.
  • Dogs: Welcome but keep under close control near the shore, wildlife and any livestock.
  • With kids: No clifftop drops, but it is open coast with rocky shore and deep water close by on the rural stretch; keep children close and off the rocks.
  • Parking: Free car parks at the Bangor marina / Eisenhower Pier end and at the end of Ballyholme Beach off Groomsport Road.
Plan your visit

An easy promenade that turns into proper coast

From Bangor marina the path runs east along the seafront and onto the promenade beside Ballyholme Beach, a wide sandy bay around 1.3km long. This first half is flat, paved and pram-friendly, with the beach right there for a paddle or a sandcastle. After the beach the route changes character completely, climbing onto Ballymacormick Point where the surface becomes rough grass, gorse and rock with no barriers between you and the sea. Watch for grey seals bobbing offshore and seabirds on the rocks. You finish at Groomsport harbour, roughly 4 miles from Bangor.

Free Free car park Sea views Sandy beaches Seals & birds Rough in places
Good to know before you go:

This coast hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger and wildlife events along the North Down Coastal Path, and the Cockle Row cottages at Groomsport open over the summer with free weekend family entertainment. Check what is on locally before you set off.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Good shoes or bootsShore paths can be rocky, uneven and a little muddy after rain.
  • 🧥A coat or windproofThe coast is breezy — a fresh sea wind is half the fun of it.
  • 💧Water and a snackThere is rarely a shop right on the path, so pack a little something.
  • 🔭Binoculars or a cameraFor the seabirds, the seals and the big views across the water.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Parking
Free car parks at the Bangor marina / Eisenhower Pier end and at the end of Ballyholme Beach off Groomsport Road
Distance
Roughly 4 miles each way (about 6.5km), so up to 8 miles return
How long to allow
Around 1.5 to 2 hours one way at a family pace; allow a half-day with stops
Difficulty
Easy and flat on the Ballyholme promenade; moderate and rough over Ballymacormick Point
Terrain
Paved promenade for the first half, then rough grass, gorse and rocky paths
Safety with kids
No clifftop drops, but it is open coast with rocky shore and deep water close by on the rural stretch; keep children close and off the rocks
Dogs
Welcome but keep under close control near the shore, wildlife and any livestock
Buggy-friendly
Yes on the Ballyholme promenade; no on the rough Ballymacormick Point section
Toilets / food nearby
Toilets and cafes in Bangor and in Groomsport village; Groomsport also has a beach, picnic area and playground
Address
Start at the marina / Eisenhower Pier, Bangor BT20; ends at Groomsport Harbour, Groomsport BT19
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How far is the walk?
Roughly 4 miles each way (about 6.5km), so up to 8 miles return
How long should I allow?
Around 1.5 to 2 hours one way at a family pace; allow a half-day with stops
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome but keep under close control near the shore, wildlife and any livestock
Is it buggy-friendly?
Yes on the Ballyholme promenade; no on the rough Ballymacormick Point section
Getting there

Bangor Seafront to Groomsport is at Start at the marina / Eisenhower Pier, Bangor BT20; ends at Groomsport Harbour, Groomsport BT19. Free car parks at the Bangor marina / Eisenhower Pier end and at the end of Ballyholme Beach off Groomsport Road. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BangorSee what else is close by More coastal walks across NIBeaches, cliffs, harbours and headlands
The story

About this stretch of coast

Groomsport is one of the oldest settlements on the County Down coast and was for centuries a working fishing village. Cockle Row is a pair of fishermen's cottages, probably 18th century, built low and sheltered against the prevailing wind off the sea.

When most of old Groomsport was cleared in the 1960s redevelopment, the Cockle Row cottages were saved from the bulldozers. They were used for a time by Bangor Art Club and today serve as a small heritage centre and visitor point beside the harbour.

The wilder middle of the walk crosses Ballymacormick Point, a National Trust area of rocky shoreline and grassland rich in coastal birds, with grey seals often seen offshore. Information boards along the path point out the wildlife and history as you go.