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Priory of Saint Columba

0 ha

📷 Dennis Reynolds · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsHeritage
Dogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

54.59101, -5.69215

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Paid

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, Green Alkanet +12 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Himalayan Balsam, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, Green Alkanet +12 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Holly Leaf Gall Fly, Vine Weevil, Hawthorn Shieldbug +3 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Holly Leaf Gall Fly, Vine Weevil, Hawthorn Shieldbug +3 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Jelly Ear · last seen 2026; Fungi — Jelly Ear · last seen 2026

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Boundary Walk, Mount StewartWalking route9.5 km

Passes through a historic landscape of mixed farmland, woodlands and archaeological remains.

Named routeLength 9.5 kmDuration 02:00-03:00Round tripLocal walking route
Demense Walk, Mount StewartWalking route5 km
Named routeLength 5 kmDuration 01:00-01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Comber GreenwayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Network National Route 99Cycling route

Belfast to Newcastle

Named routeRef 99Point-to-pointNational Cycle Network
North DownCycling route

Bangor to Newtownards via North Down Coastal Path

Named routeLocal cycle route
Comber GreenwayCycling route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional cycle route
Strangford Lough Cycle TrailCycling route

Former portions of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's National Cycle Network route 99 & Regional Route 20, de-designated by them in 2020 because they're on-road. Some signage may still remain.

Named routeRound tripLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route2.7 km
Named routeRef 99Length 2.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route58 m
Named routeRef 99Length 58 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

J4973 : Newtownards Priory

📷 Dennis Reynolds · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

J4973 : Newtownards Priory

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Londonderry ParkUrban park700 m→🌱Killynether WoodUrban park2.5 km→🌱Glenford ParkUrban park1.1 km→🌱Branch Out Community GroupUrban park800 m→🐄Take My Pet, Exotic Pet RescueVisitor farm1.1 km→🌱Bully's AcreUrban park1.7 km→

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