Head a few miles up the road to Donaghadee and you get a harbour and lighthouse, a paddling pool, sea angling off the pier, and a coastal walk — nearly all free.
Mix in Ballycopeland Windmill, paddleboarding with Ultimate SUP NI, a miniature railway at Drumawhey Junction, and meeting alpacas at Eastwell Farm Alpacas, and you've got a full weekend of variety without driving far.
The best days out near Millisle
Ballycopeland Windmill
Donaghadee Pier sea angling
Millview Farm Vending
Hope Street Filming Sites (Donaghadee)
Donaghadee Coastal Walk
Donaghadee Paddling Pool
Copeland Distillery
Donaghadee Harbour & Lighthouse
Ultimate SUP NI
Donaghadee Sailing Club
Donaghadee Moat & Camera Obscura
Millisle Beach
Ganaway Activity Centre Climbing Wall
Donaghadee Golf Club
Orlock Point wild swim
Drumawhey Junction Miniature Railway
Eastwell Farm Alpacas
Donaghadee Garden Centre
Ards Brewing Company
Gransha Equestrian Centre
Ballyboley Dexters
Ballywalter Beach
Beechwood Nurseries
Crazy Farm Golf
Mount Stewart
Grey Abbey
Thunder Park
Cockle Row Cottages
Angus Farm Shop
Cottage Wood Nature Reserve
Greba Gardens
HotBox Sea Sauna — Groomsport
Bloomfield Shopping Centre
Ballyholme Beach
Ballywalter Park
Bangor Golf Club
Adventure World Bangor
Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex
Tactical Airsoft Bangor
Movilla Abbey
Omniplex Cinema Bangor
The Ark Open Farm
Eddie Irvine Sports Bangor
Ballyholme Yacht Club
Brompton Beach (Bangor)
Helen's Bay Golf Club
Somme Museum
Tropical World Bangor
What's on near Millisle
- 1JulPond dippingCastle Espie
- 3JulVision — Comber LibraryComber Library
- 4JulDragonfly crafts with Boom StudiosCastle Espie
- 5JulCourtyard sessionsCastle Espie
- 6JulNature Through Our Eyes Alphabetography — Holywood LibraryHolywood Library
- 25JulWhitehead Summer Festival 2026Whitehead
Days out in Millisle — your questions
What are the best days out in Millisle?
Start with Millisle Beach itself — it's free and easy. Donaghadee is just minutes away, with sea angling off the pier, the Harbour and Lighthouse, and the Moat and Camera Obscura. Ballycopeland Windmill is a short drive inland and also free. For something active, try Ultimate SUP NI for paddleboarding.
What free things are there to do in Millisle?
Millisle Beach is free year-round. In nearby Donaghadee, the Coastal Walk, Paddling Pool, Pier sea angling, Harbour and Lighthouse, and Moat and Camera Obscura are all free. Ballycopeland Windmill is free too, and Hope Street Filming Sites in Donaghadee let you walk the TV drama locations at no cost.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Millisle?
Bangor is the nearest town with good indoor options — Adventure World Bangor suits younger children well, and the Somme Museum works for older kids and adults. Back closer to Millisle, Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee is an indoor visit and a good choice whatever the weather.
What's good for young children near Millisle?
Eastwell Farm Alpacas and Ballyboley Dexters both let small children meet farm animals up close. Drumawhey Junction Miniature Railway is a reliable hit with little ones. On warm days, Donaghadee Paddling Pool is free and right on the seafront — simple, easy, and children love it.