Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Scrabo Country Park

203A Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ
Image of the NIEA signpost entitled Scrabo County Park, caring for the environment with Scrabo Tower in background

Book Tickets Online

About

This picturesque country park provides a natural and relaxing retreat to visitors. For those who enjoy walking, they can go and experience walks to the beech and hazel woodlands of Killynether. During Springtime, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones.

Here at Scrabo, there has been a lot of generated interest from geologists, as there are old quarries where the famous peach-coloured Scrabo sandstone came from. The quarries are of special interest to geologists as they display 'dykes' through which molten lava from deep in the earth burst up through the sandstone and horizontal 'sills', leaked out to the sides where there were weaknesses in the sandstone strata, cooling to form dolerite. The hard igneous dolerite captured the hilltop and protected it from the ice-sheet grounding away at the rest of the sandstone. Ravens and jackdaws nest in the quarries, which have also been the breeding site for kestrels and peregrine falcons.

When it is open, visitors can climb Scrabo Tower, built in 1857 in memory of the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry and is known as one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks. (The Tower is now in the care of the Department for Communities).

We hope you have an enjoyable positive experience at Scrabo Country Park. You may like to visit our other properties which include: Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helen's Bay and Redburn Country Park, Holywood.

If you would like to provide us with your comments, feedback or ideas for improvement please contact us at: nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Book Tickets

Facilities

Catering

  • Picnic Area

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Toilets

Event Facilities

  • Booking Required - Please be advised that commercial activities or events, including filming, photography and organised group activities are not permitted without prior written permission from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Charges for commercial use of the property may apply. For enquiries please contact: nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Parking & Transport

  • Car parking
  • On site parking

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
TicketFree

Free

Explore More

Scrabo Tower at duskScrabo Tower, NewtownardsAt the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.

Golfers in play on the green with Scrabo Tower in background close byScrabo Golf Club, NewtownardsScrabo, set in the shadow of its famous tower, has its own unique personality and is a favourite amongst Northern Ireland golfers. The course offers magnificent views over Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.

Add Scrabo Country Park to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 28 9181 1491

Map & Directions

Opening Times

* Open to pedestrians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The two car parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The toilets are open from 10:00 to 16:00.
The park is open all year round for pedestrian access.

What's Nearby

  1. At the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is…

    0.25 miles away
  2. Located in Newtownards’ beautifully restored Georgian Town Hall in the centre of town,…

    0.84 miles away
  3. At the south east edge of Newtownards these substantial remains of a Dominican (Black)…

    1.42 miles away
  4. At the east of High Street in Newtownards the Market Cross was built in 1636 but was…

    1.46 miles away
  5. In July 2000, Kiltonga Nature Reserve became the first site in the UK to be awarded BT…

    1.47 miles away
  6. Situated in The Square in Comber, it was erected in 1845 to commemorate the bravery of…

    2.14 miles away
  7. Movilla Abbey, Methodist and Church of Ireland.

    As important as Bangor, Movilla was…

    2.21 miles away
  8. Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church was built on a site donated by James Andrews…

    2.24 miles away
  9. The gallery seeks to promote quality Irish art in a relaxed atmosphere and displays a…

    2.67 miles away
  10. The Museum examines Ireland's role in the 1st World War with special reference to the…

    2.96 miles away
  11. The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of…

    3.12 miles away
  12. WWT Castle Espie is an extraordinary day out for the whole family. Escape the everyday,…

    3.34 miles away
  13. Streamvale Farm is nestled in the rolling hills on the edge of Belfast. The family farm…

    3.98 miles away
  14. Mount Stewart is a stunning estate in the beautiful scenic area of Strangford Lough. The…

    4.96 miles away
  15. Parliament Buildings is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for…

    4.96 miles away
  16. This 7 1/4" gauge miniature railway has about 2km of track with a variety of routes…

    4.96 miles away

Explore More

Scrabo Tower at duskScrabo Tower, NewtownardsAt the top of Scrabo Hill, overlooking Strangford Lough and the whole of North Down, is Scrabo Tower. The tower, which was built in 1857, is one of Northern Ireland’s best known landmarks and the views from the top are spectacular.

Golfers in play on the green with Scrabo Tower in background close byScrabo Golf Club, NewtownardsScrabo, set in the shadow of its famous tower, has its own unique personality and is a favourite amongst Northern Ireland golfers. The course offers magnificent views over Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss