Days Out NI
Activity Centre Helen's Bay

Crawfordsburn Activity Centre (Scouts NI)

Instructor-led outdoor adventures on the North Down coast at Helen's Bay

2 photos
OpenBook ahead where you can
TicketedBook ahead
Helen's BayActivity centre
Full dayHow long
Organised group…Best for
TicketedCost
On siteParking
OutdoorsSetting

Crawfordsburn Activity Centre (Scouts NI)Instructor-led outdoor adventures on the North Down coast at Helen's Bay.

  • What’s here: 20+ activities across land, ranged, roped and water pursuits, including hiking, cycling, abseiling, climbing, archery, canoeing and kayaking.
  • Booking: Essential - book ahead by phone, email or online form.
  • Best for ages: Organised groups from primary-school age upward, plus youth, adult and corporate groups.
Plan your visit

What you can actually do

The centre runs more than 20 outdoor activities, sorted into land-based, ranged, roped and water pursuits. That covers hiking, cycling, climbing and abseiling on the roped and land side, archery and other ranged sessions, and canoeing, kayaking and swimming on the water. Everything is led by centre instructors, with kit provided, so groups don't need their own qualified leaders for the activity itself. Individual activities carry their own minimum ages, so it suits primary-age school groups through to older youth groups, adult clubs and corporate teams depending on the session. Confirm which activities fit your group's ages when you book.

20+ outdoor activities Instructor-led Climbing & abseiling Kayaking & canoeing Group bookings Stay overnight
Good to know before you go:

Activity centres like this run holiday programmes, group adventure days, residentials and corporate team-building through the year, with seasonal water and outdoor sessions. Check the centre's own pages for current activities, dates and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧦SocksGrip socks for the inflatables and soft play, or your own for bowling.
  • 💷Pocket moneyFor the arcade, extra activities and a bite to eat.
  • 📱A bookingThe popular slots fill up at weekends and on wet days — book ahead.
  • 👟Comfy clothesYou’ll be jumping, climbing and racing about all visit.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Instructor-led outdoor activity centre and campsite (Scouts NI)
Activities
20+ activities across land, ranged, roped and water pursuits, including hiking, cycling, abseiling, climbing, archery, canoeing and kayaking
Minimum age / height
Minimum ages apply per activity - confirm with the venue when booking
Best for ages
Organised groups from primary-school age upward, plus youth, adult and corporate groups
Booking
Essential - book ahead by phone, email or online form
Cost
Arranged per group/activity or as a residential package; check current prices
Season / weather
Outdoor and water activities run mainly spring/summer and are weather-dependent
Accommodation
Two residential buildings plus a fully serviced campsite with toilet and shower blocks
Parking
On-site access by road; confirm coach/minibus parking when booking
How long to allow
A half or full day, or an overnight/weekend residential
Address
20 Bridge Road South, Helen's Bay, Bangor BT19 1JT
Questions

Before you go

What’s there to do?
20+ activities across land, ranged, roped and water pursuits, including hiking, cycling, abseiling, climbing, archery, canoeing and kayaking
Do I need to book?
Essential - book ahead by phone, email or online form
What ages is it good for?
Organised groups from primary-school age upward, plus youth, adult and corporate groups
Getting there

Crawfordsburn Activity Centre (Scouts NI) is at 20 Bridge Road South, Helen's Bay, Bangor BT19 1JT. On-site access by road; confirm coach/minibus parking when booking. Tap below for directions.

Nearby

Make more of the day

The story

About the centre

Crawfordsburn was established as a Scout campsite in 1948 and is run by the Northern Ireland Scout Council on a not-for-profit basis. Today it is a leading campsite and activity centre for schools, youth groups, Guides, Scouts and other recognised youth organisations in NI, combining a broad outdoor activity programme with indoor accommodation and a large serviced campsite on the North Down coast.