Start with Ballywalter Beach — it's free — or head to Grey Abbey for free historic ruins that kids can explore at their own pace.
The mix here is genuinely good: coastline, heritage sites, and working farms all within easy reach. Eastwell Farm Alpacas is a real hit with little ones, and Mount Stewart makes for a grand estate visit. More than half the 48 nearby places cost nothing.
The best days out near Ballywalter
Ballywalter Beach
Beechwood Nurseries
Ballyboley Dexters
Crazy Farm Golf
Ballywalter Park
Ganaway Activity Centre Climbing Wall
Grey Abbey
Angus Farm Shop
Cottage Wood Nature Reserve
Greba Gardens
Ballyhalbert to Portavogie Clifftops
Ards Brewing Company
Millisle Beach
Ballymoat Farm
Burr Point — Easternmost Point of Ireland Stargazing
Eastwell Farm Alpacas
Mount Stewart
Echlinville Distillery
Ballycopeland Windmill
Millview Farm Vending
Cloughey to Burr Point
Kirkistown Racing Circuit
Kirkistown Race Circuit Trackday
Portavogie Harbour sea angling
Portavogie Skatepark
Drumawhey Junction Miniature Railway
Donaghadee Pier sea angling
Cloughey Beach
Mahee Island Golf Club
Hope Street Filming Sites (Donaghadee)
Donaghadee Coastal Walk
Donaghadee Paddling Pool
Donaghadee Commons
Copeland Distillery
Donaghadee Harbour & Lighthouse
Kirkistown Castle Golf Club
Donaghadee Sailing Club
Ultimate SUP NI
Nendrum Monastic Site (Mahee Castle)
Donaghadee Moat & Camera Obscura
Sketrick Castle
Donaghadee Golf Club
Strangford Lough Yacht Club
Orlock Point wild swim
Gransha Equestrian Centre
Strangford Lough Activity Centre
Castle Espie Wetland Centre
Movilla Abbey
What's on near Ballywalter
- 18AugNorth Down Camera Club — Bangor Carnegie LibraryBangor Carnegie Library
- 27AugIn Search of Light | Exhibition by Karen HamiltonArds Arts Centre
- 27AugSurface Matters | Exhibition by Claire FrenchArds Arts Centre
- 1SepExhibition/Display by Maurice Shannon Art — Newtownards LibraryNewtownards Library
- 2SepNigel Killops – In A Moment — Comber LibraryComber Library
- 4SepMy Killyleagh Collection — Killyleagh LibraryKillyleagh Library
Days out in Ballywalter — your questions
What are the best days out in Ballywalter?
Ballywalter Beach is a great first stop — it's free and right on your doorstep. Grey Abbey has historic ruins to explore for free. Ballywalter Park and Mount Stewart both offer grand estate experiences. For something active, Kirkistown Racing Circuit is a real motorsport venue, and Eastwell Farm Alpacas is wonderful for families.
What free things are there to do in Ballywalter?
Quite a lot. Ballywalter Beach is free, as is Millisle Beach nearby. Grey Abbey and Ballycopeland Windmill are both free heritage sites. The Ballyhalbert to Portavogie Clifftops walk costs nothing, and Burr Point is free any time. Ards Brewing Company, Cottage Wood Nature Reserve, and Angus Farm Shop are also all free.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Ballywalter?
Indoor options are limited in this part of the Ards Peninsula, so it's worth planning ahead. Echlinville Distillery is worth a visit on a wet day, and Ards Brewing Company is free to drop into. Beechwood Nurseries is a good option for a browse. Otherwise, Grey Abbey and Ballywalter Park are worth a short visit between showers.
What's good for young children near Ballywalter?
Animal farms work brilliantly for little ones. Ballyboley Dexters and Eastwell Farm Alpacas both let kids get close to real animals on a farm. Castle Espie Wetland Centre is nearby and very popular with young families. Crazy Farm Golf adds a fun mini-golf session, and Ballywalter Beach is always a hit on a fine day.