Holly's Guidebook

Holly
Holly's Guidebook

Food scene

Live music most Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm. Great pub grub and they have lovely snugs in the upstairs bar.
18 locals recommend
The Dufferin Arms
35 High St
18 locals recommend
Live music most Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm. Great pub grub and they have lovely snugs in the upstairs bar.
Good Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner option. All local food with a casual atmosphere
23 locals recommend
The Poachers Pocket
181 Killinchy Rd
23 locals recommend
Good Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner option. All local food with a casual atmosphere
Great food, more of a treat night. Upstairs has a wonderful steak restaurant for that special occasion
27 locals recommend
Balloo House
1 Comber Rd
27 locals recommend
Great food, more of a treat night. Upstairs has a wonderful steak restaurant for that special occasion
Friendly local restaurant with a Michelin star serving local produce at a good price.
18 locals recommend
The Smuggler's Table
Shore Street
18 locals recommend
Friendly local restaurant with a Michelin star serving local produce at a good price.
Farm shop and coffee stop where you can sit by the fire in a tepee and walk around a beautiful lake. Dog’s welcome and they also have a fabulous gift shop.
12 locals recommend
Fodder
26 Killyleagh Rd
12 locals recommend
Farm shop and coffee stop where you can sit by the fire in a tepee and walk around a beautiful lake. Dog’s welcome and they also have a fabulous gift shop.
A favourite of mine. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Fine dining or a burger. Cocktails or coffee - a great food experience all round
21 locals recommend
The Artisan Cookhouse
4 Kildare St
21 locals recommend
A favourite of mine. Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Fine dining or a burger. Cocktails or coffee - a great food experience all round
Buzzy bar and always busy - they also have a pizza takeaway next door that is very popular
22 locals recommend
The Cuan
6-12 The Square
22 locals recommend
Buzzy bar and always busy - they also have a pizza takeaway next door that is very popular
Friendly local coffee shop and restaurant on the Lough
30 locals recommend
Daft Eddy's | Bar & Restaurant
1 Sketrick Island
30 locals recommend
Friendly local coffee shop and restaurant on the Lough
A Killyleagh institution- get there early to grab a seat as it’s compact!
16 locals recommend
Picnic Delicatessen
47 High St
16 locals recommend
A Killyleagh institution- get there early to grab a seat as it’s compact!
Famous for it’s afternoon tea and also it’s cocktails- a treat destination when visiting Belfast
48 locals recommend
Cloth Ear
16 Skipper St
48 locals recommend
Famous for it’s afternoon tea and also it’s cocktails- a treat destination when visiting Belfast
Make traditional Soda Bread in Tracey’s lovely farmhouse kitchen with stunning views of the Lough
Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen
52a Ballymorran Road
Make traditional Soda Bread in Tracey’s lovely farmhouse kitchen with stunning views of the Lough
Stop off on your way to or from Newcastle for a bowl of chowder or a sit down three course meal.
18 locals recommend
Buck's Head Inn
77-79 Main St
18 locals recommend
Stop off on your way to or from Newcastle for a bowl of chowder or a sit down three course meal.
Great casual seafood restaurant in Dundrum- does meat options too. Sister restaurant in Belfast too.
110 locals recommend
Mourne Seafood Bar
34-36 Bank St
110 locals recommend
Great casual seafood restaurant in Dundrum- does meat options too. Sister restaurant in Belfast too.
Local produce- from sourdough bread to purple broccoli, they have it all. Plus some amazing local cheeses
Millbank Farm Shop
30 Main Street
Local produce- from sourdough bread to purple broccoli, they have it all. Plus some amazing local cheeses
Coffee stop or relaxed brunch/lunch
6 locals recommend
Sugarcane Cafe Bistro
34 The Sq
6 locals recommend
Coffee stop or relaxed brunch/lunch
Great local produce in the heart of Comber. You can also get a great coffee to go.
Indie Füde
30 Castle St
Great local produce in the heart of Comber. You can also get a great coffee to go.
Pop in for a coffee and a scone or lunch - lovely surroundings and all local produce.
No 14 at The Georgian House
14 The Square
Pop in for a coffee and a scone or lunch - lovely surroundings and all local produce.
Great local food in cafe environment- always busy. If you are looking for great vegetarian food or a coffee with oat milk here’s your place!
Haptik
697 Upper Newtownards Road
Great local food in cafe environment- always busy. If you are looking for great vegetarian food or a coffee with oat milk here’s your place!
A favourite of mine after a walk round the grounds of Stormont- food has an Australian hip vibe and coffee is one of the best. I always seem to go for the Chia Latte with an espresso shot and a sourdough with Avocado and poached eggs. Delicious!
61 locals recommend
General Merchants
361 Ormeau Rd
61 locals recommend
A favourite of mine after a walk round the grounds of Stormont- food has an Australian hip vibe and coffee is one of the best. I always seem to go for the Chia Latte with an espresso shot and a sourdough with Avocado and poached eggs. Delicious!

Walks

From a 10 minute walk to an all day hike up to the top of Slieve Donard- the Mourne’s never disappoint
127 locals recommend
Mourne Mountains
Moyad Road
127 locals recommend
From a 10 minute walk to an all day hike up to the top of Slieve Donard- the Mourne’s never disappoint
Walk to the top of the tower to get the views of Strangford and Belfast
38 locals recommend
Scrabo Tower
38 locals recommend
Walk to the top of the tower to get the views of Strangford and Belfast
Local walks with easy to follow trails just outside Killyleagh with huge play park
27 locals recommend
Delamont Country Park
90 Downpatrick Rd
27 locals recommend
Local walks with easy to follow trails just outside Killyleagh with huge play park
Outside Newcastle and at the foothills of the Mourne’s- a magical place for a picnic or a family walk
97 locals recommend
Tollymore Forest Park
Bryansford Road
97 locals recommend
Outside Newcastle and at the foothills of the Mourne’s- a magical place for a picnic or a family walk
A National Trust property close by in Saintfield- stunning grounds and walled garden. They do jazz events in the summer.
Rowallane House
A National Trust property close by in Saintfield- stunning grounds and walled garden. They do jazz events in the summer.
Garden Estate with a good coffee shop stop, in a very pretty town that’s worth visiting too. Worth noting that the House isn’t open all of the time as it hosts private events, so check beforehand
36 locals recommend
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
301-303 The Square
36 locals recommend
Garden Estate with a good coffee shop stop, in a very pretty town that’s worth visiting too. Worth noting that the House isn’t open all of the time as it hosts private events, so check beforehand
A favourite of mine. Beautiful gardens and a wonderful play area for children too. Coffee shop is amazing with fresh soups, salads and home made cakes. Very stylish surroundings.
10 locals recommend
Montalto Estate
Spa Road
10 locals recommend
A favourite of mine. Beautiful gardens and a wonderful play area for children too. Coffee shop is amazing with fresh soups, salads and home made cakes. Very stylish surroundings.
Beautiful walled garden and maze where peacocks roam. There is a butterfly house which children and adults will love in equal measures.
15 locals recommend
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House
Seaforde Gardens
15 locals recommend
Beautiful walled garden and maze where peacocks roam. There is a butterfly house which children and adults will love in equal measures.
Bird haven with lovely walks and coffee shop and art gallery
35 locals recommend
WWT Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Rd
35 locals recommend
Bird haven with lovely walks and coffee shop and art gallery

Sightseeing

You MUST take the ferry! It leaves every 30 mins- you can take the car but we never do, just walk on and visit Portaferry - the 10 minute trip gives you the best view ever of the Lough. While in Portaferry you can visit Exploris aquarium
9 locals recommend
Strangford station
9 locals recommend
You MUST take the ferry! It leaves every 30 mins- you can take the car but we never do, just walk on and visit Portaferry - the 10 minute trip gives you the best view ever of the Lough. While in Portaferry you can visit Exploris aquarium
49 locals recommend
Exploris Aquarium
1 Castle St
49 locals recommend
A stunning house that has one side built in Georgian architecture and the other Gothic as the husband and wife couldn’t decide! The theme continues inside. Wonderful walks around the Estate too and a great children’s play area- the parkland was also used to film Game of Thrones
70 locals recommend
National Trust Castle Ward
70 locals recommend
A stunning house that has one side built in Georgian architecture and the other Gothic as the husband and wife couldn’t decide! The theme continues inside. Wonderful walks around the Estate too and a great children’s play area- the parkland was also used to film Game of Thrones
A National Heritage site with incredible gardens.
38 locals recommend
Mount Stewart
Portaferry Road
38 locals recommend
A National Heritage site with incredible gardens.
324 locals recommend
Titanic Belfast
1 Olympic Way
324 locals recommend
6 locals recommend
Hinch Distillery
19 Carryduff Road
6 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
Nendrum Monastic Site
Mahee Island
7 locals recommend

Beaches

A child friendly beach near Strangford
Child friendly beach near Strangford
9 locals recommend
Kilclief Beach
106 A2
9 locals recommend
Child friendly beach near Strangford
Vast blue flag beach
13 locals recommend
Tyrella Beach
13 locals recommend
Vast blue flag beach
Bucket and spade beach with lots to see and do.
10 locals recommend
Newcastle Beach.
10 locals recommend
Bucket and spade beach with lots to see and do.
Beautiful beach which you reach by walking through the dunes. If you’re lucky you may spot seals resting on the sands.
21 locals recommend
Murlough Beach
21 locals recommend
Beautiful beach which you reach by walking through the dunes. If you’re lucky you may spot seals resting on the sands.

Outdoor activities

Learn to paddle board with friends at Whiterock
10 locals recommend
Strangford Lough Activity Centre
40 Whiterock Rd
10 locals recommend
For children and adults alike- lots of wild birds, a great cafe, art gallery and lake to walk around
35 locals recommend
WWT Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Rd
35 locals recommend
For children and adults alike- lots of wild birds, a great cafe, art gallery and lake to walk around
Pilgrims walk to St Patrick’s statue
St. Patricks Way
St. Patricks Way
Pilgrims walk to St Patrick’s statue
It has a fun maize, you can hire bikes or just walk around the lake. A lovely setting.
73 locals recommend
Castlewellan Forest Park
Forest Park View
73 locals recommend
It has a fun maize, you can hire bikes or just walk around the lake. A lovely setting.

Outdoor activities for children and teens

Largest indoor trampoline park in Europe
30 locals recommend
We Are Vertigo
1 Cedarhurst Rd
30 locals recommend
Outdoor Aqua park, camping pods and outdoor cinema. Also has amazing take away food from local vendors
22 locals recommend
Let's Go Hydro Resort
1 Mealough Rd
22 locals recommend
Outdoor Aqua park, camping pods and outdoor cinema. Also has amazing take away food from local vendors
13 locals recommend
Mountpanther Farm Park
39 Dundrum Rd
13 locals recommend
Petting farm with a good coffee shop - kids love seeing the animals and getting close.
11 locals recommend
Streamvale Open Farm
38 Ballyhanwood Rd
11 locals recommend
Petting farm with a good coffee shop - kids love seeing the animals and getting close.

Shopping

Local artists, crafts and cards
7 locals recommend
Kingfisher Craft Gallery
48 High Street
7 locals recommend