scrabo tower

Stickly

This elegant tower is easily seen from many vantage spots around Newtownards. Unfortunately, access is limited by road and the tower is not generally open. Worth a short walk for the view.

neilmA805IB

Not a bad hill climb to the top with a great view. Pretty short walk but on a nice day it cannot be beat for anywhere close.

irishone1

On a clear day the whole of the Ards peninsula and most of Co Down can be seen from the tower. You can drive almost to the base and when it is open can climb the stairs to the top. Don't know if it is open all the time but well worth a visit even if the tower is closed as the view is spectacular.

DC1970

I love Scrabo Tower, always have done, and what is more I always make a point of visiting it when I am in Northern Ireland. Yes, the climb is a little steep from the car park below, but the views are surely second to none once one makes it to the top. Scotland, the Isle of Man and even the Lake District can be seen on a clear day. Hard to beat!

Anubis14

From the customary, there is a nice walk to the top at a slight steep gradient. The view on a clear day is fantastic. You have to check with the borough council when you can gain access to the actual tower.

bobaxston

Scrabo Tower is the first thing you see driving in to Ards siting on top of a hill it can be seen from most parts of Newtownards you can drive to a car park just below the tower but you would anyone with walking difficulty could not make it right up to the tower when you get to the top you have fantastic views over Newtownards and other towns but the view looking down Strangford lough is breath-taking .You should check the opening hours but I think it is open most days

53sybilk

We have been a few times whilst visiting family,we can see the tower from where we stay...the views are spectactular .

633samuelf

Scrabo Tower which is situated in Scrabo Country Park ,Newtownards Co.Down is a familiar sight for those who live in the Co Down part of N.Ireland.from the shores of Strangford Lough to the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle you can even see the west coast of Scotland on a good day the views are truly captivating, one slight downside though is the climb from the car park to the top of the tower there are plenty of resting on the way up to the tower and if you feel really energetic there are 122 steps on the circular staircase to the top of the tower,with 2 floors of exhibition explaining the towers history. Take a picnic and enjoy the scenery at your leisure. WOW!Unlike a lot of beauty spots,admission is free of charge. Further details can be obtained from the NI Tourist board. Regent Street Newtownards beside the Bus Station

776clairem

We live in ards and love doing our traditional Scrabo walk on Sundays. The views are second to none. Beautiful.

joebY7298ZV

Scrabo tower one of the best land marks,it can be seen for Mille ,the tower when built in1857 was. Home to the McKay family who to the best of my knowledge there was seven ,all grew up in the tower ,Mr McKay was the Forman in the quarry which all of the stone was cut for a lot of the great buildings in Northern Ireland and some stone was shipped to the USA ,.its a great place to see as far as isle of man and Scotland ,in the past year the tower was closed to the public ,due to it taken in water trust this can be addressed so the public can once again enjoy the breath taken views from the top gallery the walk around the old quarry is very relaxing not excessable for any one on wheel chair or having mobiles problems well worh the walk up from the car park

ronaldq819

Scrabo golf club Newtownards a great spot for a round of golf weather you are a high or low handicap player, you will enjoy the challenge some easy holes and some hard ones the course is in very good shape and the greens medium paced and will give your reading skills a little work out.The scullery restaurant has a good menu and food to match if you require food after your round although I found the service very poor and this for me let the other wise good restaurant down.

Belle332

Have been several times. There isn't a huge amount to see at the tower itself but it's free entry and has fantastic views. Pleasant short walk up to the tower from the car park so great for little legs.

shernellek

if you are in Ards and you have spare time, take a walk up. bring your dog too if you have one. sometimes the tower isn't open, but its best to check with the Tourist Board on this one. The sights from the top are spectacular, taking in Strangford Lough etc

1_mth_1

fantastic..This is the best view in North Down looking south over Strangford Lough to the Mournes.Many gravel paths through the forest and quarry areas with picnic sites, including plenty at the car park for those less energetic.A steep but mostly tarmac road leads up to the tower from the car park. Open 10am to 5pm with free admission. The tower has been simply restored for public viewing with a display room, audio visual room and small reception desk. The stone spiral staircase to the open turrets for the view is the highlight. The lough and 25mile view to slieve donard are all clearly worthwhile. Young children enjoy the tower and counting the steps to the top. All reasonably safe when with an adult.Of course the unique geology of this spot could be better highlighted as i note features of ripple marks, mud cracks, basalt layers with the lovely sedimentary red sandstone remaining in the quarry below but no signage to state what it all is for tourists. But most people want an area to walk, picnic, and sightsee ... this area supplies all that.Definitely spend an hour here if you are in Ards.

Jotravelnut21

More people should make the effort to travel up to the Tower. The views are amazing, all the way to Belfast on a good day and out over the Lough