Tara’s guidebook

Tara
Tara’s guidebook

Great for bird, duck and geese enthusiasts

Only 5 miles from Turtle Cottage, Castle Espie is a must for all nature lovers. Part of Sir Peter Scott's group of UK-wide Wildfowl and Wetland Trust centres, it has Northern Ireland's best wildfowl collection and some of the best views over the north end of Strangford Lough. The shop, cafe and gallery all add to an already great day out.
35 locals recommend
WWT Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Rd
35 locals recommend
Only 5 miles from Turtle Cottage, Castle Espie is a must for all nature lovers. Part of Sir Peter Scott's group of UK-wide Wildfowl and Wetland Trust centres, it has Northern Ireland's best wildfowl collection and some of the best views over the north end of Strangford Lough. The shop, cafe and gallery all add to an already great day out.

Early-christian site/history

A magical monastic site on Mahee Island, less than a mile's walk from Turtle Cottage. There is also a small museum.
7 locals recommend
Nendrum Monastic Site
Mahee Island
7 locals recommend
A magical monastic site on Mahee Island, less than a mile's walk from Turtle Cottage. There is also a small museum.

Food scene

A delicious lunch-stop or for a pot of tea and slice of cake at the end of a long sight-seeing day.
Old Post Office Lisbane
191 Killinchy Rd
A delicious lunch-stop or for a pot of tea and slice of cake at the end of a long sight-seeing day.
Excellent local eaterie. All delicious, from breakfast right through to dinner!
23 locals recommend
The Poachers Pocket
181 Killinchy Rd
23 locals recommend
Excellent local eaterie. All delicious, from breakfast right through to dinner!
Great food, great views of Strangford Lough/Whiterock Yacht Club
30 locals recommend
Daft Eddy's | Bar & Restaurant
1 Sketrick Island
30 locals recommend
Great food, great views of Strangford Lough/Whiterock Yacht Club
A great local restaurant and bar with weekly musical evening.
27 locals recommend
Balloo House
1 Comber Rd
27 locals recommend
A great local restaurant and bar with weekly musical evening.

Sightseeing

The Mourne Mountains, Murlough, Newcastle and Tyrella beaches, Tollymore Forest Park
7 locals recommend
County Down
7 locals recommend
The Mourne Mountains, Murlough, Newcastle and Tyrella beaches, Tollymore Forest Park
Amazing property, gardens and views of the southern end of Strangford Lough
70 locals recommend
National Trust Castle Ward
70 locals recommend
Amazing property, gardens and views of the southern end of Strangford Lough
Wonderful gardens and house. Cafe and shop on site.
17 locals recommend
Mount Stewart House
Portaferry Road
17 locals recommend
Wonderful gardens and house. Cafe and shop on site.
For the water-activity enthusiasts...
10 locals recommend
Strangford Lough Activity Centre
40 Whiterock Rd
10 locals recommend
For the water-activity enthusiasts...
There's a wonderful ferry service that links Portaferry to the town of Strangford on the other side of the peninsula.
49 locals recommend
Exploris Aquarium
1 Castle St
49 locals recommend
There's a wonderful ferry service that links Portaferry to the town of Strangford on the other side of the peninsula.

City/town information

Belfast: Belfast City Hall has a great permanent exhibition about the city; Titanic Centre; Ulster Museum; Great restaurants and shopping
110 locals recommend
Belfast
110 locals recommend
Belfast: Belfast City Hall has a great permanent exhibition about the city; Titanic Centre; Ulster Museum; Great restaurants and shopping