Walk the North Down Coastal Path, spend an afternoon at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, or let the kids loose at Tots Play Holywood. The range of outdoor walks, heritage, and family activities means you can plan a good day without going far.
Fourteen of the listings are free, including Stormont Estate and Redburn Country Park. Dundonald and Helen's Bay add even more options just a short drive away.
The best days out near Holywood
Tots Play Holywood
North Down Coastal Path
North Down Coastal Path: Holywood to Bangor
Modest Beer
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
Holywood Golf Club
The Spa at Culloden Estate & Spa
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
Redburn Country Park
Hercules Brewing Company
Holywood Exchange Retail Park
Royal Belfast Golf Club
Belfast Lough Nature Reserve
RSPB Window on Wildlife
Birr House Riding Centre
Stormont Estate
Mo Mowlam Play Park
Movilla Trout Fishery
Knock Golf Club
Helen’s Bay Organic
Jordanstown Loughshore Park Playground
Pure Adventure Belfast
Airtastic Belfast
Maritime Mile
Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock
Belmont Park Playground
HMS Caroline
Longwood Retail Park
Abbey Centre
Strand Arts Centre
Play Town
McKee's Country Store & Restaurant
McKee's Country Store
Airtastic Entertainment Centre — Newtownabbey
Funky Monkeys Dundonald
Helen's Bay to Bangor Cycle Path (NCN 93)
Trigger Happy Activity Centre
Omniplex Belfast — Dundonald
NI Scout Centre, Crawfordsburn (climbing wall)
Titanic Studios Site (Linen Mill Tour)
Helen's Bay Coral Strand Snorkel Site
Helen's Bay Beach
Abbey Retail Park
Pirates Adventure Golf
Clip 'n Climb Belfast
Clip 'n Climb Dundonald
Dundonald International Icebowl (Bowling)
Dundonald International Ice Bowl
What's on near Holywood
- 1JulPond dippingCastle Espie
- 1JulExhibition by Diarmuid Delargy RUA REArtisAnn Gallery
- 3JulVision — Comber LibraryComber Library
- 4JulDragonfly crafts with Boom StudiosCastle Espie
- 5JulCourtyard sessionsCastle Espie
- 6JulNature Through Our Eyes Alphabetography — Holywood LibraryHolywood Library
Days out in Holywood — your questions
What are the best days out in Holywood?
The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is a proper full-day visit for the whole family. Walk or cycle the North Down Coastal Path for some fresh air, and HMS Caroline lets you explore a historic warship up close. Redburn Country Park and Stormont Estate are both free and great for an afternoon out.
What free things are there to do in Holywood?
Quite a few. The North Down Coastal Path is free to walk or cycle. Redburn Country Park and Stormont Estate offer free outdoor space. Mo Mowlam Play Park and Belmont Park Playground are free for kids. The RSPB Window on Wildlife is free for wildlife watching, and Modest Beer offers free entry too.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Holywood?
Head to Tots Play Holywood or Funky Monkeys Dundonald for indoor soft play. The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is a solid wet-weather option that can easily fill a few hours. Airtastic Belfast has trampoline activities under cover, and the Strand Arts Centre has cinema if you want something more relaxed.
What's good for young children near Holywood?
Tots Play Holywood is ideal for toddlers and small children — it's soft play right in the town. Mo Mowlam Play Park and Belmont Park Playground are both free outdoor play parks. Funky Monkeys Dundonald is another soft play option, and Jordanstown Loughshore Park Playground is a free outdoor play space too.