Top 5 Best Walks Around Ards

I never like walking. I complain about any short distance walk. Then my husband encouraged me to walk and now we are walking whenever we are available. Most of the time at night when the kids are off to bed.

The night walk is the best for me. It's getting dark early now. The clock will change again. Love the summer when the sky is clear until 11 pm. Now it gets dark by 8 pm. Next time it will be dark by 5 pm.

I love the night sky and the empty street. Just us and the street lights.

It feels so magical, feels like we're on our walking date. More romantic. My husband got me a headlight and I'm very proud while wearing it in the dark parts of our walk. At night time we walk around our town, walking at least 5-6 kilometres.

Then when we have more time, any time of the day we go to different places. We explore plenty of walking routes and trails from ancient woods to dramatic clifftops. It's always an exciting one!

Here are my top 5 best country walks near us that we enjoy the most.

1. Scrabo Country Park and Quarry Walk

Walking with nature and just the view up the top of the Scrabo is breathtaking. It's all green. Plants and trees are everywhere. Ferns are one of the oldest plants on earth. It's Stegosaurus and triceratops favourites!

For the first time after so many walks, we went on different routes and were surprised by the quarries.

The Scrabo Tower is made from these stones from this Quarry. Also, the Newtownards Townhall is made from Scrabo stones. Now it's home to different species of birds.

This is the perfect place for walking although some steep inclines that we should be careful about. Good that there are seatings available at different viewpoints. Lovely scenery. Everyone enjoys this place and the dogs of course.

2. Walk Way to Helen's Tower

We started walking here at 8 pm. There are lots of cyclists around even at that time. Some are on their race, they are flying. It's wet and muddy at that time but if you appreciate nature and just enjoy the walk, it's pleasurable.

I love this lake. A little bit dramatic at that time.

A short walk, not even an hour till we reach the tower.

Helen's Tower is a 19th-century folly and lookout built by the 5th Lord Dufferin and Claneboye and named for his mother, Helen.

Good for a relaxing short walk.

3. Crawfordsburn Country Park

This is one good walk up to Helen's Bay which is perfect for walking and dog walkers like this area.

It's peaceful and relaxing just look at that oceanfront park. They also have a visitor centre and cafe.

There's this big distinctive mansion that I always admire.

4. Bangor, Marina

Another lovely place perfect for walking. A very picturesque easy walk. You enjoy walking while adoring the sea and the surroundings.

At the end of our walk, we saw a Pickie Fun Park that the kids will surely wish to go to! And lol these huge swan boats I told my husband I want to try it with the kids next time.

5. Newtownards Tide Bank Walk and Flood Bank Path

This is our favourite of all the places as it's a good long walk. You can see the Scrabo Tower in the background. Look how proud it is standing.

The Strangford Lough and some interesting ruins are about the place. Something to do during the war.

People used to hide in here.

That's a good nearly 5 miles walk more than 10,000 steps. And needless to say, we enjoy our walking.

And that's my top 5 walks around our place. It's not just the walk but how I enjoy walking in these lovely places. My husband always says,

"Dear, we're walking, not photo shooting."

Also him,

"Stand there and I'll take a picture of you."

🤣

And it's good that I know that we are safe. We don't have snakes here in Northern Ireland no matter where you go.

There are more places to explore. Until next time!