Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Did you know there is a secret World War 1 and World War 2 base hidden on the Northern Ireland coast? Most people walk right past it!
In this video, I’m taking on the beautiful 10-mile coastal path from Holywood to Bangor and will share everything I see along the way.
We start in Holywood, pass through the beautiful Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn Country Park, and uncover the massive guns and bunkers that defended Belfast Lough over 80 years ago before arriving in Bangor.
The path has family-friendly beaches and easy train access - making it one of Northern Ireland's best day trips especially when the weather is good!
It’s a long walk, but the history and views are worth it!
🚶♂️ WALK DETAILS:
• Distance: 10 miles (16km)
• Start: Holywood, County Down
• Finish: Bangor Marina
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Family-Friendly: Yes!
• Train Access: Stations along entire route
🎯 HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE PATH:
✅ Sea Park Holywood - Perfect for families with playgrounds and facilities
✅ Cultra Beach Houses - Stunning waterfront properties and coastal architecture
✅ Easy access to Ulster Folk Museum & Ulster Transport Museum (I have full videos on both - links below!)
✅ Helens Bay Beach - Beautiful sandy beaches ideal for families
✅ Crawfordsburn Country Park - Woodland trails and scenic picnic spots
✅ Grey Point Fort - Fascinating war history protecting Belfast Lough
✅ Skipping Stone Beach - Unique rocky coves and tidal pools
✅ Smeltaway Bay - Dramatic coastal scenery
✅ Bangor Marina - Waterfront development finally underway!
✅ Pickie Park - Family entertainment and new seafront regeneration
🚂 GETTING THERE:
The entire coastal path runs parallel to the Belfast-Bangor train line and the main Belfast-Bangor A2 road, making it incredibly accessible! You can:
• Start at Holywood Station and walk to Bangor
• Take the train to any station along the route
• Walk sections and return by train
• Perfect for one-way walks without car logistics
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY INFORMATION:
This walk is suitable for families with older children who can manage longer distances. The path is mostly well-maintained with multiple access points, facilities, and beaches for breaks. Pushchair-friendly sections available, though some rocky areas require care.
📍 NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
• Ulster Folk Museum:
• Ulster Transport Museum:
• Belfast City Centre - 15 minutes by train
• Crawfordsburn Country Park trails
🏖️ BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Spring through autumn offers the best weather, but this coastal walk is stunning year-round! Early morning or late afternoon provides the best light for photos.
💡 TOP TIPS:
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring water and snacks (limited facilities mid-route)
• Check tide times for beach access
• Download offline maps
• Train ticket allows hop-on/hop-off flexibility
As a Belfast local and radio presenter for 30 years, I'm sharing insider knowledge of Northern Ireland's best family attractions. Subscribe for more honest travel guides, hotel reviews, and family day trips across Northern Ireland and beyond!
🔗 RELATED VIDEOS:
Ulster Folk Museum video youtube.com/watch?v=VGryCx_XmR0&t=47s
Ulster Transport Museum youtube.com/watch?v=vUPQdhypGes&t=707s
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can follow my social media here:
FACEBOOK: @stuartrobinsonradio facebook.com/stuartrobinsonradio
INSTAGRAM: @stuartrobinsonshow instagram.com/stuartrobinsonshow/?hl=en
TIKTOK: @stuartrobinsonshow tiktok.com/@stuartrobinsonshow
Did you know there is a secret World War 1 and World War 2 base hidden on the Northern Ireland coast? Most people walk right past it!
In this video, I’m taking on the beautiful 10-mile coastal path from Holywood to Bangor and will share everything I see along the way.
We start in Holywood, pass through the beautiful Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn Country Park, and uncover the massive guns and bunkers that defended Belfast Lough over 80 years ago before arriving in Bangor.
The path has family-friendly beaches and easy train access - making it one of Northern Ireland's best day trips especially when the weather is good!
It’s a long walk, but the history and views are worth it!
🚶♂️ WALK DETAILS:
• Distance: 10 miles (16km)
• Start: Holywood, County Down
• Finish: Bangor Marina
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Family-Friendly: Yes!
• Train Access: Stations along entire route
🎯 HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE PATH:
✅ Sea Park Holywood - Perfect for families with playgrounds and facilities
✅ Cultra Beach Houses - Stunning waterfront properties and coastal architecture
✅ Easy access to Ulster Folk Museum & Ulster Transport Museum (I have full videos on both - links below!)
✅ Helens Bay Beach - Beautiful sandy beaches ideal for families
✅ Crawfordsburn Country Park - Woodland trails and scenic picnic spots
✅ Grey Point Fort - Fascinating war history protecting Belfast Lough
✅ Skipping Stone Beach - Unique rocky coves and tidal pools
✅ Smeltaway Bay - Dramatic coastal scenery
✅ Bangor Marina - Waterfront development finally underway!
✅ Pickie Park - Family entertainment and new seafront regeneration
🚂 GETTING THERE:
The entire coastal path runs parallel to the Belfast-Bangor train line and the main Belfast-Bangor A2 road, making it incredibly accessible! You can:
• Start at Holywood Station and walk to Bangor
• Take the train to any station along the route
• Walk sections and return by train
• Perfect for one-way walks without car logistics
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY INFORMATION:
This walk is suitable for families with older children who can manage longer distances. The path is mostly well-maintained with multiple access points, facilities, and beaches for breaks. Pushchair-friendly sections available, though some rocky areas require care.
📍 NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
• Ulster Folk Museum:
• Ulster Transport Museum:
• Belfast City Centre - 15 minutes by train
• Crawfordsburn Country Park trails
🏖️ BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Spring through autumn offers the best weather, but this coastal walk is stunning year-round! Early morning or late afternoon provides the best light for photos.
💡 TOP TIPS:
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring water and snacks (limited facilities mid-route)
• Check tide times for beach access
• Download offline maps
• Train ticket allows hop-on/hop-off flexibility
As a Belfast local and radio presenter for 30 years, I'm sharing insider knowledge of Northern Ireland's best family attractions. Subscribe for more honest travel guides, hotel reviews, and family day trips across Northern Ireland and beyond!
🔗 RELATED VIDEOS:
Ulster Folk Museum video youtube.com/watch?v=VGryCx_XmR0&t=47s
Ulster Transport Museum youtube.com/watch?v=vUPQdhypGes&t=707s
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can follow my social media here:
FACEBOOK: @stuartrobinsonradio facebook.com/stuartrobinsonradio
INSTAGRAM: @stuartrobinsonshow instagram.com/stuartrobinsonshow/?hl=en
TIKTOK: @stuartrobinsonshow tiktok.com/@stuartrobinsonshow
