Visiting Scrabo & Newtownards: A Local Guide

Exploring the Landscape and the Town

Whether you are walking up to the tower for the panoramic views over Strangford Lough or spending an afternoon down in the historic market town of Newtownards, here is a practical, no-nonsense guide to getting the most out of your visit.

Practical Tips for Visitors

Getting There & Parking: The main car park for Scrabo Country Park is located off the Moate Road. Parking is free, and there are public toilets and picnic tables available near the start of the trails.

The Walk Up: It's a short but fairly steep walk from the car park to the base of the tower. Wear decent walking shoes, as the paths through the woods and old quarries can get muddy and slippery after typical Ulster weather!

Inside the Tower: Because of its age and exposure to the elements, the interior stairs of the tower are frequently closed for maintenance. It's always best to check the official Department for Communities notices before planning a trip to climb to the top.

Beyond the Tower: What to See Nearby

Don't just look at the tower and leave! There is plenty to explore right on the hill and down in the town:

Killynether Wood: Located on the slopes of the hill, this beautiful, ancient woodland is famous for its carpets of bluebells in the spring and hazel trees. It's a much quieter, peaceful walk if you want to escape the wind at the summit.

The Hollywood Connection (Scrabo Quarries): If you walk down into the dramatic, sheer sandstone quarries below the tower, you're standing on a movie set. Universal Pictures used these exact quarries to film scenes for the Hollywood movie Dracula Untold.

Newtownards Town Centre: Right down the hill is one of Northern Ireland's oldest market towns. Be sure to check out the historic 18th-century Market Cross on High Street, or take a peaceful stroll around the Kiltonga Nature Reserve to see the swans.

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