museum
Ulster Transport Museum
Major transport museum at Cultra near Belfast, home to a gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12 built just miles away, Irish-built cars, locomotives and a renowned Titanic exhibition.
9 km · about 15 min drive
!['HMS Bangor' in Bangor Bay [1] The Sandown class minehunter 'HMS Bangor' in Bangor Bay. Her flags are displayed as she seemed to be taking part in the 'Sea Bangor 2008' festival.](https://prod-images.planyourroadtrips.com/img/city-images/bangor-gb-546608--56680/1-_HMS_Bangor__in_Bangor_Bay__1__-_geograph.org.uk_-_844432.jpg?w=1080&q=80&f=webp)
EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland
Bangor
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Bangor
Bangor works well as a base: 15 minutes from Newtownards, 11km from Carrickfergus Castle.
Bangor is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with about 61,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Newtownards, about 8 km away.
Bangor ( BANG-gər; from Irish Beannchar [ˈbʲaːn̪ˠəxəɾˠ]) is a seaside city and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the southern side of Belfast Lough. It is within the Belfast metropolitan area and is 13 miles (22 km) east of Belfast city centre, to which it is linked by the A2 road and theRead more
Belfast–Bangor railway line. The population was 64,596 at the 2021 census.
Bangor Abbey was an important and influential monastery founded in the 6th century by Saint Comgall. Bangor grew during the 17th century Plantation of Ulster, when many Scottish settlers arrived. Today, tourism is important to the local economy, particularly in the summer months, and plans are being made for the long-delayed redevelopment of the seafront; a notable historical building in the city is Bangor Old Custom House. The largest plot of private land in the area, the Clandeboye Estate, which is a few miles from the city centre, belonged to the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava. Bangor hosts the Royal Ulster and Ballyholme yacht clubs. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status. Bangor was granted city status in 2022 as part of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, becoming Northern Ireland's sixth city.
Where to Stay in Bangor
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Bangor?
Within an hour or so of Bangor: Ulster Transport Museum (9 km), Craigantlet Hillclimb (9 km), Carrickfergus Castle (11 km), The Gobbins (13 km).
Are there any good drives near Bangor?
The nearest famous roads are Craigantlet Hillclimb, Dundrod Circuit and Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road).
Where is Bangor?
Bangor is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 8 km from Newtownards.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 61,011
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.6608, -5.6680
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Bangor
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
Craigantlet Hillclimb
A hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
9 km · about 15 min drive
castle
Carrickfergus Castle
One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, guarding Belfast Lough for over 800 years from its commanding waterfront position.
11 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Gobbins
A dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
13 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Titanic Belfast
World-leading visitor attraction in a striking angular building on the exact spot where RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1912.
17 km · about 20 min drive
historic highway
Dundrod Circuit
A 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
28 km · about 35 min drive
film location
Castle Ward (Winterfell)
The farmyard at Castle Ward on Strangford Lough was Winterfell's courtyard in season one; archery and banquet experiences run on site.
33 km · about 40 min drive
waterfall
Glenariff Forest Park
The 'Queen of the Glens', with a boardwalk waterfall trail through a wooded gorge above the Antrim coast.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Bangor
- Right hereCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
- Right hereThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
- 28 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
- 51 kmCauseway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road)A cliff-edge road cut in the 1830s between Larne and Ballycastle, running under the Glens of Antrim with the Scottish coast in view.
- 52 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
- 56 kmSlieve Donard and the Mourne WallNorthern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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