Major city · United Kingdom
Newtownards
Base in Belfast or Bangor and give Newtownards one day: Mount Stewart, Scrabo Tower and the Somme Museum, all by bus or car.
Newtownards is a market town at the head of Strangford Lough, 40 minutes by bus from Belfast. It has few sights of its own, but the Ards Peninsula around it holds Mount Stewart, Scrabo Tower, Grey Abbey and the Somme Museum. Most travellers see it as a half-day or day trip, not a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days)
- Airports
- BFS · BHD
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Newtownards999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Newtownards, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real issues are wet, windy weather, unlit country roads at night and tide times at Rough Island.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBFS Belfast International (Aldergrove) (About 45 min by car; no direct bus to Newtownards, change in Belfast.).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in town£5–10 (≈ US$7–14)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BFS Belfast International (Aldergrove) (About 45 min by car; no direct bus to Newtownards, change in Belfast.) · BHD George Best Belfast City (About 25 min by car to Belfast Laganside, then Ulsterbus 5 or 7 to Newtownards, 40 min.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Apr (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Newtownards: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable in 15 minutes. Ulsterbus 6 runs every 30 min to Bangor (20 min); Ulsterbus 5 and 7 run about hourly to Belfast Laganside (40 min), with only four buses on Sunday. Buses 9 and 10 run down the Ards Peninsula past Mount Stewart and Grey Abbey to Portaferry, hourly Monday–Saturday, four on Sunday. A car makes Mount Stewart, Scrabo and the Somme Museum much easier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Stewart
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus 9 or 10 from Newtownards bus station, about 15 min, then walk
House and gardens; allow half a day. National Trust, adult ticket around £16.50 (2026 estimate).
Grey Abbey
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Bus 9 or 10 towards Portaferry, about 20 min
Free Cistercian ruin; the exhibition centre opens only Saturday and Sunday afternoons, February–November.
Portaferry
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 9 or 10 down the peninsula, about 50 min
Exploris Aquarium and the ferry across to Strangford; a full day if you continue.
Door to door: About 50 min
Ulsterbus 5 or 7 from Laganside, about 40 min
Stormont is on the bus route; Titanic Quarter and the centre need a full day.
Door to door: About 30 min
Ulsterbus 6, every 30 min, about 20 min
Seaside town with the better choice of beds and a train line to Belfast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Regent St and Conway Square)
Walk to the bus station, shops and most restaurants; the only real hotel choice in town.
Bangor
20 min by bus 6; far more beds, seafront and train to Belfast.
Belfast
40 min by bus; best base if you want one bed for the whole trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Ulsterbus Belfast → Newtownards, one way2 × £5 · check | £10 |
| Mount Stewart adult ticket2 × £17 · check | £33 |
| Somme Museum adult ticket2 × £11 · check | £22 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £36 |
| Trip total≈ £196 per person per day, bed included | £391≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Bus Newtownards → Belfast, one way | £5–6 (≈ US$7–8) (check) |
| Taxi in town | £5–10 (≈ US$7–14) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sunday buses are rare: four on the Belfast and Portaferry routes. Check times before you rely on them.
- Scrabo Tower's interior opens only occasionally; the hill and country park are the reliable part.
- Mount Stewart is National Trust: house opening can be limited out of season, check before travelling.
- Rough Island is reached by a causeway that floods at high tide; check a tide table first.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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NewtownardsNewtownards
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Newtownards; the US consulate-general is in Belfast, and most other countries have embassies in London or Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Belfast Laganside → Newtownards, Ulsterbus 5: about £5 (≈ US$7), 40 min (check)
- Newtownards → Bangor, Ulsterbus 6: about £3 (≈ US$4), 20 min (check)
- Newtownards → Portaferry, bus 9 or 10: about £5 (≈ US$7), 50 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the bus station? — Where is the bus station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
English is the everyday language; no local phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Newtownards. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BFS and BHD: last bus times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for the town centre: Conway Square, market house, Newtownards Priory, bus station.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and cutoffs (Mount Stewart, Scrabo Tower, Somme Museum, Grey Abbey, Exploris).
- Sunday and hostile-weather fixtures so the peninsula day can go green or be swapped.