I sorta don't know what this thing is…read more Its is a very commanding sight from the ground and it looks like a castle of a fort that guards the town. It could even be a lookout for generations past to keep an eye on the pesky sea - it's not though. Apparently it was built to store gunpowder while the new harbour was being built. Now it just stands there, locked, drawn on in places, dominant yet passive to all with a jolly union jack flying from it's mast. It's like something that should be something but isn't. I plundered up the 40-odd steps to it and was disappointed by what I found - a mix of old stone and new concrete it was boring to say the least. Don't get me wrong, the views are obviously magnificent it's just the building itself that isn't. I could see the Copeland Islands, all over the land and a bit of Scotland. I could also see broken glass and bottle tops. I fear that this could be something - it could be used as something more, but it's not and I for one was disappointed.

OK, now this is going to be difficult for me to review without me hurting anyone's feelings. I have…read moregiven the windmill itself five stars but I would like to give my experience there 3 stars. Let me tell you why. A windmill is a windmill and I know and have known for ages that this particular windmill is an awesome sight to behold so I decided to call in just to take a few pictures to add to my collection of Co. Downs beautiful things to see photo album. It was half twelve and I said to myself that I would park, jump out, get a few gorgeous shots, jump back in the car and be home to walk the dog by 1pm - that did not happen. As I approached the windmill a man named Brian jumped out from nowhere and asked me did I want to see his little house? Bemused and bewildered I thought 'well, why not? I've got five minutes.' One hour later I came out of the windmill my head spinning faster than the windmill ever did - facts and information don't do well in my wee head between the months of June and September so I could barely cope with the witty(?) and informative guide. Don't get me wrong, if I was in a party of 10, or a Japanese tourist in a party of five or a group of primary school children I would have loved the quizzes and the jigsaw and the 'lighting the board up with the right answers' game, I'd even have loved looking for the fake mouse or searching for the secret button - but I wasn't, I am a thirty year old, rather cynical, woman with no children and a small desire to take a photograph of a windmill. I think Brian is amazing at tour guiding and there is a million and one things to see and learn about the Ballycopeland Windmill but he should try to ascertain whether or not the visitors really care that much before he literally bombards them with all the facts. I got away when another witless woman and a small child arrived. I got into my car to the sounds of 'Do you want to see my wee house?' Just to finish off this review I want to make it entirely clear that the windmill is a great sight to behold, still fully functioning and restored to its former glory I have no doubt that this is a place of cultural significance and importance. Brian is a great guide - he should maybe just tweak his tours for parties of one and let them have a wee look around on their own and ask him questions after. The whole experience was so intimate and informative I can honestly say I actually picked up very little about the windmill itself.

The strange thing about Ballycopeland windmill is that it should be busy all year round with…read moretourists as it represents North Downs culture and heritage. It is not sign posted and could easily be ignored from the road, but definitely should not be. It is the last representation of farming barley in the region and really is a thing of beauty. Built in the 19th Century the windmill is in working order and inside there is even a video tutorial explaining the milling of barley from start to finish. Guided tours are available and it is completely wheelchair accessible. If it is windy enough you may even see the process first hand. On a summers day this would be a beautiful place to go for a picnic, it is an idyllic setting but also very interesting. This is another example of beauty going to waste in Northern Ireland, this could be a flagship of tourism bringing in much needed revenue to the area. The Windmill is currently only open in July and August. It is only a 5 minute drive from the seaside so my advice is to get an ice cream and head up to the Windmill, I guarantee you will be fascinated.

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.

Helen's Tower is a local attraction and a bit of a Newtownards landmark. Situated way up high in…read morethe dark, vast, Clandeboye forest this tower is majestic and unfolds from the landscape looking almost ghostly. The walk up to Helen's tower starts out easy. Park at the corner on the main road (careful now!) and walk through the turn style onto the path. Simply follow your nose and you will come to a large green area, which quickly transforms into a very large pond with lots of ducks and swans - very pretty. If you keep walking for another while you will come to a crossroads and if you go right you will begin the uphill climb to the tower. The track isn't so clear from now on and you will need to stop every so often to put your head up in order to see the top of the tower and plan your path. The tower was commissioned by Lord Dufferin of Clandeboye , designed by Scottish architect William Burn and completed in October 1861. The tower was named in honour of Dufferin's mother, Helen Selina Blackwood, the Lady Dufferin. As I was writing this review my fiancé was yelling at me to mention THIEPVAL, so here goes - A close replica of Helen's Tower, the Ulster Tower, was built at Thiepval in 1921 to honour the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who fell at the Battle of the Somme. A nice day out but you can't actually get into the tower itself and bring water; I was blooming knackered after the hike.

The Wikipedia entry for this place reads as follows -…read more "Helen's Tower lies in the woods of the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland. The tower was commissioned by Lord Dufferin of Clandeboye, designed by Scottish architect William Burn and completed in October 1861. The tower was named in honour of Dufferin's mother, Helen Selina Blackwood, the Lady Dufferin. A close replica of Helen's Tower, the Ulster Tower, was built at Thiepval in 1921 to honour the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who fell at the Battle of the Somme. Clandeboye Estate was used for army training by the 36th (Ulster) Division during the First World War." This pretty much sums this place up, but it really is a nice wee walk and a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. My lady loves these types of places and we have checked out Helen's Tower a couple of times and enjoyed it each time. A lovely part of North Down and well worth a look.

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'

Every town has a saviour or a hero. Newtownards has Blair…read moreMayne, Belfast has Julian from UTV, The east end of London has Peggy Mitchell and of course Comber has 'Rollo' Gillespie! This famous 18th century resident of Comber is reported to have slayed 6 out of 8 men (the other two ran away!) while he was attacked in his home during a spell abroad for the army. He was a savvy fellow who led platoons into battle and it is believed that when he was killed during an attack on the Ghurka army, the whole mission fell apart without him! The statue stands tall and proud in the center of Comber today reminding everyone who passes of this famous and brave local man.

The Rollo Gillespie Monument dominates Comber town centre, having said that Comber town centre was…read moreonce dominated by a flock of 5 pigeons. The pigeons like Rollo Gillespie stood their ground and refused to go without a fight. Eventually they were scared off by a few of the towns people. The same can not be said about the famous Rollo Gillespie, legend has it that he Whilst leading an attack in the Himalayas Gillespie continued fighting despite having no ammunition and shouting, "One Shot More for the Honour of Down!" This gave him hero's status in the town of Comber and in turn they erected the Monument in 1845 that stands in the town centre. A list of the battles Rollo was involved in are on the side of the pillar. Rollo was born in 1766 in Comber and never lost the towns fighting spirit.

Market Cross is right in the centre of Newtownards and you could easily walk past this thing day in…read moreday out without paying it any attention. It is just a big Octagon fenced off with some hanging baskets on it. To be honest it is not the most exciting historical landmark but does have some significance none the less. Market Cross was built in 1636 and was originally used as a police station or a watchman's post. They say that the roof was most likely used as an office or sleeping quarters for those who manned the town in the 17th Century. It is only accessible from the outside so there is no real chance of seeing the inside of Market Cross but I thought I would take the opportunity to educate the good people and users of Yelp on probably the mist useless land market in North Down.

Not that long ago I would not even have noticed a war memorial in a town square - I think it's one…read moreof those things you are either fascinated by as a child or not interested in at all. It is only as an adult, when the harsh reality of life and death bite you on the bum that you begin to appreciate the heroic effort that some men went to to fight for their country. This memorial is very fitting indeed as it stands below the statue of a great war hero and local chap - Rollo Gillespie. Whilst in his shadow and in the tranquility of the gardens of the town hall people can come to pay respects to the soldiers who fought. A nice tribute in the centre of town but in a quite enough area that it commands peace and respect.

After waking up with a stinking hangover the last thing I wanted to do was leave the house but…read moreafter much convincing we decided to go and explore Mount Stewart with my sister and my lovely nieces. I hadn't been to Mount Stewart for years and wasn't really sure what to expect. Being a National Trust site i knew it would be well maintained but I was shocked at the level of beauty of the grounds. There's lakes, forests, trees to climb and plenty to see including a statue of a white stag and a historic walled garden. The walled garden is pretty much as it was - any history enthusiasts will love it's authentic state. Since my last visit facilities have been upgraded. There's a lovely wee café serving coffee and cakes. They even serve coffee in takeaway cups so you can get a £2 filter coffee for your journey round the grounds, as I did. You can also bring dogs as long as they are kept on the lead. Handily there's loads of water points for your four legged friends too. This school trip favourite really is a gem, well worth a visit!

Super place to spend a lovely sunny afternoon and because it is owned by the Trust, it is…read moreimmaculately kept. Great walks of the lake where red squirrels can be seen and the formal grounds of the house itself are brilliant. £8 entry but get money back if join the National trust as a member...! Always things going on too, this weekend there is a craft fair and jazz festival and be on look out in August for outdoor showing of Jurassic park...