One of my favourite spots for a walk. Seapark is great as it offers a lovely park in and of itself…read morewith play facilities for kids as well as parking (limited when it gets really busy) and can also be used as the starting point for long costal walks. it also offers one of the best seaside views of Belfast Loch and it is good to see the big ships coming and going from the Harbour. On warmer days there is often a decent ice-cream van there too.

Seapark is a hidden jewel in the North Down crown. The North Down coast is not lacking beauty spots…read morebut Seapark is right up there with the best. On a sunny the day the views over Belfast Lough are unbeatable. The park itself is a 5 minute walk from Holywood High Street and local amenities but you'd think it was a million miles away due to its tranquility. The park facilities include a huge grassy area ideal for summer BBQ's and walking dogs. There's also a refurbished play park, which is always a hit with kids. On a summers day an ice cream van will park up in Seapark and you'll be able to grab yourself a snack in between playing. Seapark is also the beginning of the National Trust North Down Coastal Path that snakes along the coast all the way to Groomsport. If you fancy a walk or cycle on a nice day then look no further than the coastal path. At every corner you'll be hit with stunning beauty and culture (Grey Point Lookout). This is a popular route for dog walkers and you'll often see friendly pooches off their leads, so if you have little ones with you keep them close especially if they are a little bit sheepish around dogs.

Love the atmosphere, and you can see they are trying hard. Staff very attentive. Food is just a…read morelittle short of the mark that the previous owners set. Keep working at it... Menu could be a little better

We recently joined the National Trust in order to get in to some of the country's best parks and…read moregardens but after a walk at Crawfordsburn and down the North Down coast we began to question why, especially with scenery like this on our doorstep. Around 15 minutes from central Belfast and the same from Bangor Town Centre Crawfordsburn really is as convenient as they come! Dog walkers, day trippers and joggers come here in their droves and I don't blame them because there's something for everyone. There's lovely woodland walks through the park itself, a beautiful beach with a large grassy area for picnics and a walk along the coast with views over to Carrickfergus and beyond on a clear day. Yesterday was one of those majestic days at Crawfordsburn where the spring sunshine shimmered on Belfast lough reflecting a warm glow of happiness throughout the whole park! We decided on the coastal walk as we had Ted (our dog) with us. We walked all the way from the park itself to past Carnalea Golf Course, this walk winds all the way up the coast. There's plenty of benches to to stop at and plenty of places for you to get a photo of Belfast Lough in all it's glory (as you've probably seen from my uploads). The park itself has seen a good bit of investment recently with new picnic tables being installed and the welcome addition of a play area that doubles as a nature reserve. There's toilet facilities and plenty of parking (at least 3 car parks). Yesterday there was an ice cream van parked on the grassy area by the beach but he only comes out when the sun is shining. All in all this is a fantastic place for a walk on a sunny day, beware of summer bank holidays as it's known for drinking but otherwise it's a wholesome day out for everyone with loads to see and do!

Sometimes, Mother Nature just does us all a favor. That could be said about Peel Beach, a long…read morestretch of golden sand curving along Peel Harbor from the castle, down the Shore Road promenade and Marine Parade for about a half mile. On a sunny day, it reminds me a lot of the beach towns of Blackpool, Lytham-St. Annes, and Portsmouth ... a lot of people, a lot of nice beach, a lot of touristy kiosks and ice creameries. It's a nice little jaunt and the the water's a little more warm than in other places on the Isle of Man. Would I swim in it? Mmm, that's a judgement call, but it's still chilly (andif you've got a suit on and see a 4-7 year-olds splashing around, your machismo or basic pride may not allow you to make an excuse for staying on land ). The best part is the sunset which, at least the time of year we were there, passed right down over Peel Castle.

Gorgeous weekend destination with lots to do and see in the downtown area and the outskirts. Plan a…read moresummer getaway here and include taking in the lough, beaches, castle and monastery ruins, downtown area, restaurants featuring oysters, and overall natural beauty!

A lovely wide and soft, sandy, beach which is over a mile long and safe for swimming or walking…read more There are picnic areas and many benches along the promenade and marvellous views across the River Clyde to Arran, Aisa Craig and Kintyre. Plenty of parking spaces in the huge car park. It's not far to walk into the town from here and the nearby harbour is also a pleasant place to visit for a stroll (or a sail if you have a boat)!

Ballyholme Beach and Park's grounds stretch al the way along Ballyholme Bay. The coastal walk from…read moreKingsland (Ballyholme) to Orlock Point (Groomsport) is one of the most scenic in Ireland in my opinion, whether it's the views of Belfast Lough right across to Whitehead and Carrickfergus or the bramble laden paths that snake all the way to Groomsport you'll find something that will take your breath away. Ballyholme beach itself comes equipped with public toilets (only open 9-5), a large car park and 1.3km of sand. On a hot summers day in North Down this place is absolutely jam packed - you even get local ice cream vans taking up spots in the car park to cool down sun worshipers. One thing to note is that Dogs ARE allowed at this beach off their leads. So if you have small kids who may be afraid of bounding labradors then keep them close and if you are a dog owner bring your pooch down for a dip in the Ballyholme swell. Personally I have great affection for Ballyhome Beach, it is the site of some of the greatest sandcastles ever built (by me) and it offers a beautiful summers walk along the gold coast of North Down.

One of the seven wonders of North Down and situated in glorious ballyholme, this beach and park is…read morethe go to place for dog walkers and playing children for miles around, even if the far end of the beach does smell quite badly these days...! There are two mini play parks at either end of the beach perfect for occupying smaller adults and loads of car parking spaces too... Ballyholme shops being very close also make it perfect place for a summer bbq with a few relaxing beverages with friends and the walk round the coastal path to Groomsport is a great walk with some off track paths and turns into a kind of mini-hike at times... I have amassed around 1 million hours of football playing time on these green grasses and it's good to still see kids playing tol all hours of the night here as the summer approaches...!

I have many very happy memories from sunny childhood days spent at Brown's Bay. A short drive from…read morewhere I live, and at the very end of the Islandmagee peninsula, just outside Larne, it makes for an enjoyable and leisurely drive to get there. The site itself has two car parks (side by side) allowing for parking for approximately 150 cars, with some on-road parking available too. There are onsite loos with disabled a baby changing facilities, and there is also a small shop which is open on a part-time basis and sells essentials, such as the bucket and spade! The beach itself is clean and tidy, with lots of public bins available to keep it that way! The view from the beach provides stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean!

Lovely little beach at the end of the peninsula know as Islandmagee, very clean and tidy. Great…read morespot with a lot of history. If you head down here there is Plenty of parking and a great clean toilet block.

I live only a stones throw away from this beautiful park and so I've many great memories from my…read morechildhood of running around in the summer sun playing chasies on the grass, sledding down the snow covered hills during the chilly Winter months or kicking up the leaves on a beautiful Autumns evening. It's a brilliant place to take a walk to clear your head, I've done that only a few thousand times. It's great for somewhere to bring your dog (but clean up any mess, there's a number of special bins for this purpose) or come on a Sunday if you fancy a quick stroll along the sea front, though beware you'll be joining the masses. The path leads from Carrick to Whiteabbey to Hazelbank then you can follow the brilliant new cycle path all the way in to Belfast. Either follow the winding path or stroll along the sandy beaches where you'll often find some intriguing driftwood or some interesting shells. (I love doing this!) There's a new mural on the walls of the tunnels (at the exits leading to Gideons Green or to the Shore Road) that was done recently by a local artist called Michael Dunn and depicts various events and locations around the area, such as the Belfast marathon which follows this route. These tunnels used to be covered in some nasty graffiti from local kids thinking they're funny, so it's great now to see this space being used for some proper art work. Have a look at my pictures to see the mural.

We live close to this amazing park, so we have a chance to spend time here often. Hazelbank is…read moregreat for walking and playing with your dog, there is a children's play area for the kids, many picnic tables and big grass fields as well as outside gym equipment and huge car park. Usually there is an ice cream van as well to treat yourself :) Was in the park in the last few days, the number of pokemon go players are shocking, there are several pokestops so they are sitting in the car and keep collecting the balls & eggs etc. you will see all generations walking there like zombies looking at their phones trying to catch all the pokemons. If you are playing as well, visit the park, Im sure you wont go home without some rare creatures.

Mill caravan park is situated around 500 yards from Ballycopeland Windmill, hence the name. I am…read morenot a big fan of caravan parks but if you are, then this place should satisfy your needs. A 2 minute walk from the beach and local shops and a 15 minute drive from Bangor you can enjoy the fun of caravanning without the isolation. The caravan park itself does not boast many facilities but as it is such a short distance from pubs, shops and takeaways it doesn't really need to. It is a no nonsense caravan park as the sign suggests. What makes this park a little better than the others is that it can accommodate touring caravans and you do not have to rent a pitch. If you are passing through then it is the ideal place to stop off. During the summer months it often attracts residents from Belfast having a seaside get away so its always going to be lively, I am not sure if lively is a good or bad thing?