You see Scrabo Tower long before you reach it — a tall stone finger standing on its own green hill above Newtownards, in view for miles across County Down. The walk up is the good part. A path climbs the hillside from the car park, and with every step the ground falls away and the view opens: Strangford Lough spread out below, the whole patchwork of the Ards Peninsula, and on a clear day the Mournes far to the south. It's the kind of climb where the kids race ahead and the grown-ups stop halfway up to catch their breath and take a photo.
The tower itself is a proper landmark, built in 1857 as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. When it's open you can climb the stairs inside — around 122 steps up a narrow spiral to the viewing platform at the top, where the view is bigger still. That's the treat, but it's not a given: the tower opens on a limited, seasonal basis and has been closed at times, so check before you set off if going up is the whole point of your day. The hill, the view and the walks are there whether the tower is open or not.
Below the tower, the rest of the country park is all yours to wander. Paths thread through Killynether Wood — fine old beech woodland that's cool and green in summer — and loop around the disused quarries where the local sandstone was cut. It's a real leg-stretcher of a place: come for the view, stay for the woods, and let everyone run some energy off before you head back down.
Plan your visit
Just turn up — it's free, and open all the time
There's nothing to book and nothing to pay. The country park is open to walkers 24 hours a day, all year, and the two car parks are the same — free, and open around the clock. The toilets run roughly 10am–4pm. From the car park it's an uphill walk to reach the tower on the summit, so give yourself a bit of time and take it at your own pace. The one thing to check ahead is the tower itself, if you're set on climbing it.
Toilets (10am–4pm)Free parking · two car parksWoodland & quarry walksDogs welcome (on leads)
The tower is currently closed to climb.
The grounds, hill and country park stay open daily as normal — only going up inside the tower is affected. When it does open it's seasonal (summer months), so always confirm on the day before you rely on climbing to the top. Access to the North Quarry has also been closed while the steps are replaced.
Before you set off
What to bring
👟Proper walking shoes or trainersIt's a steep, uneven hill up to the tower, with woodland tracks below — grippy soles beat sandals.
🧥A coat or windproof layerThe summit is exposed and it's breezy up top — that same wind is what makes the view feel so open and alive.
💧Water and a snackThere's no café on the hill, so pack a drink for the climb and something for the walk back down.
📷A camera or phoneThe view over Strangford Lough from the top of the hill is the whole reason to come — you'll want it.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free. There's no admission charge for the country park or the tower, and parking is free too.
Opening
The country park and both car parks are open to visitors 24 hours a day, all year round. Toilets are open roughly 10am–4pm. Climbing the tower is separate — see below.
The tower
Built in 1857 as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. When open, you climb an internal spiral staircase (around 122 steps, stairs only — no lift) to the viewing platform. Opening is limited and seasonal, typically the summer months, and the tower is currently closed to climb — always confirm before relying on going up.
What you'll do
Walk up the hill for the view over Strangford Lough and the Ards, explore the beech woodland of Killynether Wood, and follow the trails around the old quarries.
Toilets
Toilets on site, open around 10am–4pm. Confirm on the day if you're arriving early or late.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome around the park and woodland — keep them on a lead, as there's grazing and wildlife about.
Getting around
This is a steep hill walk on uneven paths, and the tower is stairs-only, so it isn't suited to wheelchairs or prams up to the summit. The woodland tracks lower down are gentler. If access is a concern, phone ahead to plan a route that works for you.
How long
Allow one to two hours for the walk up, the view and a loop of the woods — longer if you're taking it slowly or exploring the quarry trails.
Questions
Before you go
Can I climb the tower?
When it's open, yes — up an internal spiral staircase of around 122 steps to a viewing platform. But opening is limited and seasonal, and the tower is currently closed to climb. Always confirm on the day before you set off if going up is the point of your trip. The hill, view and walks are open regardless.
Is it free?
Yes — free to visit and free to park. There's nothing to book and nothing to pay for the country park.
Is it a hard walk?
It's an uphill climb on a steep, uneven hillside to reach the tower, so it gets the heart going — take it at your own pace and there's no rush. The woodland paths lower down are easier going.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — dogs are welcome around the hill and woodland. Keep them on a lead, as there's grazing and wildlife about.
Is it suitable for prams and wheelchairs?
The climb to the summit is steep and uneven and the tower is stairs-only, so it's tricky with a pram or wheelchair up top. The gentler woodland tracks lower down are a better bet — phone ahead if you'd like help planning a route.
Are there toilets?
Yes, on site, open roughly 10am–4pm. There's no café on the hill, so bring your own drinks and snacks.
Getting there
203a Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ — just west of Newtownards on Scrabo Hill, with two free car parks on site.
Scrabo Tower was built in 1857 as a memorial to Charles Vane, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, raised by tenants and friends on the hill above his family's estate. It was cut from the local sandstone quarried on the same hill — the disused quarries you can still walk around today — and set on the summit where it could be seen for miles.
Well over a century and a half later it has become one of Northern Ireland's best-known landmarks, standing over Newtownards and the top of Strangford Lough. The tower has served as a countryside centre in its time and opens to climbers on a limited, seasonal basis; the hill and its woodland have long been a favourite spot for locals to walk, catch the view and let the children run.