The castle is really like a small tower and sits at the front of sketrick island. You can walk…read morearound the ruins even though they're not the safest looking. The views and local scenery are beautiful with sketrick bring on an island in Strangford lough. There's a bar/restaurant behind it called daft eddies and an old lightship that seems to be some sort of private club. There's loads of parking and a car park further down the road with public toilets and views towards the castle and island.

This is another hidden gem in County Down, sorry that's getting to be a bit of a cliché but it…read morereally is a wonderful place to visit. When I was younger we used to go on day trips to Sketrick Catsle. It was never to far away and it used to be an ideal distance to travel so that all of the kids in the back seat would be content with a car journey but not desperate for a wee. Sketrick was built in the 15th Century and used for active warfare in the 16th century. The irony of the place is that it stood firm through countless enemy attacks and then a storm knocked down two of the four stories that originally stood on the castle. The castle also had a fresh spring underneath so that people could be under siege for months at a time. Sketrick has become forgotten by many but I still see it as a great day out but this may just be due to childhood nostalgia.

Mahee Castle consists of the remnants of a tower house, built circa 1570, by an English soldier…read morenamed Captain Thomas Browne. Definitely interesting ruins, but probably not worth making a trip specifically to see as there's not much left. However, if you're in the area or at nearby Nendrum Monastic Site, you really should walk a couple of minutes down the road to visit Mahee Castle. Fascinating and atmospheric with water lapping at the nearby shoreline, I thought it intriguing, and found myself wondering what it was originally like when built all those centuries ago...

Mahee Castle is on the North end of Mahee island in Strangford Lough. The house was built in 1570…read moreby Captain Browne. Browne was an English soldier that settled in the area. Now the castle is in ruins but is still an important part of the area's heritage and culture. There is a 19th century causeway built to accommodate tourists to Mahee Castle but prior to its construction the only way to reach the castle would have been by boat or wadding through the low tides on the Lough. I would recommend that visitors park at Nendrum Monastic Site and walk back to Mahee Castle. This site is much more accessible. But with the two historic buildings in such close proximity you could easily bring a picnic to Mahee Island and make a day trip out of your visit.

Loved my visit to Castle Espie, a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) conservation park - fantastic…read moreway to spend a day. Consists of both wetland and wooded areas throughout, with various viewing observatories, lots of birds, rabbits, butterflies and insects to spot. Bring binoculars, a camera and walking shoes and make sure you purchase a bag of bird-seed on entrance as a real highlight is feeding the ducks. There's a small art gallery and café onsite so it's possible to spend nearly a full day in Espie. Has a hefty enough entrance fee (£9.00 per adult with Gift Aid, as at September 2018), but well worth it for a day out if you like nature, and of course the money goes towards saving the wetlands and associated wildlife.

So much more than your average duck pond!…read more I used to come here as a child and loved it, so it was with delight that I finally got to bring my nephew here. Being 4, he told me he did not want to go as he had seen ducks before. He quickly changed his mind on the way round it, constantly in awe saying 'morrrreee ducks!'. And he would be right, there are a LOT of ducks and the space just keeps opening up into more areas and things to see/do. For a small fee you can buy some bird seed to feed the ducks. If like me you like to ration your seed - don't. Most of the ducks are in the paddock at the start and the rest are too far away to feed. So I ended up with lots left at the end! There's a great play park for the kids further round the trail, although it can be a little muddy if it has been raining. After our trek we got lunch in the café. If you re lucky enough to get a window seat the views are absolutely breath-taking over the lough. Also, look out for special events. When we were there they were hosting the NI puddle jumping competitions which was great fun for all the kids (and some adults too). There's also a lego completion on currently, where you have to find the giant lego birds and fill in your sheet to win a prize.

When you live in Newtownards you will pass the building a million and one times but not really…read morenotice it - which is a real shame as this is a historical building and part of the history and heritage of Newtownards. These are the remains of a Dominican Priory founded in 1244. Hugh Montgomery established a newtown within the grounds of the old priory and this flourished and was used as a central area for the new market town. The restoration of the building began in 1609 by Montgomery and this can be seen within the building on a carved stone. The ruins of the old tower and part of this old building can still be seen. If you look closely you can see Montgomery's monogram ad some bible references etched into the stone. In 1988 part of the old door was restored by the Ulster Heritage Center and the door will be opened on request, it is worth a look as this is a fine example of our ulster-Scot heritage and was, at one time, a big tourist attraction.

As other reviewers have said The Priory is slap bang in the middle of Newtownards yet you could…read morepass it without even registering as an important part of our culture and heritage. Although the budget is tight down at the old Tourist board they could do with digging into their pockets and forking out for a few signs to properly promote this place. The reason I say this is that The Priory is actually a really interesting place, I did not realise the significance of this place until I paid it a long overdue visit. The Priory is an example of a Dominican (Black) Piory and is one of the only remaining examples in Northern Ireland. The Priory is worth a visit if only for the convenience of the place, whether you are a day-tripper or a local The priory will at very least give you an insight into the regions culture.

Start by walking along the Promenade or Beach toward the Castle…read more Admire the broad view as it stretches and hugs the coastline. Step over to Fenella beach on the other side of the harbor and climb up a few rough steps to the pathway that circles the Castle. It's a very even path and there are great views of the ocean and rocks all around the Castle. You may even see a basking shark or the resident Dolphins. The pathway will take you round to the carpark and entrance. Now go inside, collect your audio thingy and scamper around the castle - but watch out for rabbit holes. The ruins are fantastic and there is not a bad view which ever way you turn. You will see the pathway below around the Castle. Doing inside and out with take about 1.5 hours. There are plenty of benches in the grounds for weary legs.

Next stop on our highlight tour of the Isle of Man, only an hour away from the capital Douglas, is…read morethe relaxed seaside town of Peel. One of the biggest draw cards to come here is Peel Castle. The proud remains of this stronghold dominate the harbour front and the view from the old castle walls is spectacular. The entrance to the vast grounds is through the old gatehouse. After paying 5 pounds at the ticket booth, you can explore the site on your own. An audio guide is included in the entrance fee and at various points you will find numbers that you can key into your device for a lot of interesting facts and figures. Luckily, the most famous resident of the castle Moddey Dhoo - the howling black ghost dog -was well behind bars and did not trouble the visitors, only a very friendly black cat showed up and was very keen to accompany people around the castle. So why should you come here? Well first of all, it is a great place to soak up the atmosphere, learn about the Viking heritage of the Manx island or about the early Christianization, but beside that it is also a great place to relax. We visited the castle on a bright sunny day and we walked around for nearly 2 hours sitting on the green grass, enjoying the views over the island and the Irish Sea, listening to our audio guides and chatting with other visitors. So, if you are into history and like ancient castles with a view, this place is a must on your Isle of Man tourist list.

It looks like a jewelry box but it's actually the Jaffe Memorial Fountain. Striking and brightly…read morecolorful it was originally erected in 1874 by Sir Otto Jaffe to honor his father, Daniel Jaffe. It was initially placed in Victoria Square but was later moved to the Botanic Gardens, where it remained until 2008 It is intricate and elegant, made of Portland stone with each of the smaller columns featuring a female figure that represents each of the four seasons. It stands at the Victoria Street entrance to the Victoria Square shopping center. The original yellow and white were apparently selected to reflect the aesthetic preferences of the Victorian era, as these were popular colors to symbolize purity and light and optimism. It is indeed a fountain but in September it was dry. I'm not sure if it is ever filled with water. [Review 1883 of 2024 - 866 in United Kingdom - 22905 overall]

I bet you've walked past this wee gem hundreds of times but never given it a second look, I'm right…read morearen't I? Well now it's time to be enlightened. This is the Jaffa Fountain, not named after everyone's favourite cake/biscuit but actually named after Belfast's first Lord Mayor Otto Jaffa. The fountain itself was actually built in 1879 and it was erected in its current location, but here's the strange part. As industrial and commercial Belfast grew it was moved out to Botanic Gardens - mature students might recognise it from those days. Once Victoria Square was commissioned the decision was made to bring the old fellow back to its rightful place. I for one am glad they did as I think it provides a welcome nod to Belfast's past in the centre of its current commercial renaissance.

The tower itself is closed to the public but the grounds are accessible at any time,I'm not a hippy…read moreor anything but I really want to get up early some morning in the summer and walk up to scrabo tower and have a bowl of cornflakes as the sun rises. The views on a sunny day are fantastic over Belfast,comber and the Irish sea. The walks through the quarries and through killyneither woods are long and challenging in places, great for a bit of exercise and peace and quiet , bring food and a disposable bbq there's lots of picnic tables throughout the park. Great place to bring your kids or walk your dog. Would benefit from a shop here for drinks and snacks. You can have dinner in the golf club though.

The price is 5 pound it's good you get to walk up to the top went a hour ago just to look inside it…read morewas fun haven't been in while that's why I went today

Just as you walk past the Northern Bank on Killinchy Street you will come to some cobbled pavement…read morewith the shapes of a hound and a hare outlined in white against the traditional dark cobbles. There are also words spelt out in white stone and a few other pictures which I couldn't really make out. I stopped three passers-by to tell what this was. The first guy was eastern European and hadn't a clue what I was on about. The second man thought I was trying to chat him up and just kept giggling and smiling before walking off with a big grin on his face (?) and the third elderly lady knew the craic - if in doubt about anything historical ask elderly ladies - they know everything. Apparently the image is of a hound dog chasing a hare and was put there by the man who owned the Comber Distillery which was just up the street a bit. He used to live in the houses that the pavement is outside and he did the piece of art in memorial to a winning greyhound that won at the English Waterloo Cup for a few years in the 1800's. He must have got a bet up and won a few bob or why bother. I might do a stencil of whichever horse wins the grand national this year but only if I win a quid or two. If you don't look down you will miss this interesting and local 'Banksy'

I have driven past this stone to many times to count but it was not until today that I thought I…read morewould go and have a look at it. Located on the shore between Millisle and Donaghadee this is North Downs very own Stonehenge, the only difference being it was erected probably by machinery in the 20th century. But that's just small print. It is actually a memorial to the late Major Richard Gustavus Heyn, who was owner of the once famous Ulster Steamship Company and a member of the flying corps during the first World War. The inscription has now been eroded by the Irish Sea Salt water. The land around the monument is owned by a local farmer but you can walk right up to the monument if you do not mind cows and cow pat. This is also be an ideal place to view Scotland across the Irish Sea on a clear day.

So I'd heard about the big stone before from my future father-in-law who is a member of the Ards…read morehistorical society. He knows I'm interested in the establishment of the churches in Ireland and that I have a particular love of the big green man himself - Sir Saint Patrick, bringer of St. Patrick's day and all the drinking that goes with it! Yee Haa! Anyways, i'm going off track, I decided to go out and have a look at the big rock thing and was put off immediately by how hard it is to access. I had to park my car in a nursing home, pet some cows so they knew I ment them no harm, climb a fence and walk through nettles - St Patrick himself didn't have as much bother as me getting over to Millisle I can bet. So, I though that the rock was a symbol to mark an area where St. Patrick was supposed to have handed when he was coming over to do his thing but it turns out the rock has nout to do with the green man at all and in fact was made and put there by human hands to remember a major and the owner of the Ulster Steamship Company. Some other historical stuff went on with this mayor man - I fell asleep listening to it to be honest - the rock was a let down. Took me a while to get to it, the land is wild and harsh and played havoc with my stilettos. It's an anti-climax, I returned to my car disappointed. I met a lovely cow though. She licked my face.