Newcastle is a grand spot. Like Ballybunion was in the 70s I’d say
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Nissan Micra (still on N plates) hoping to do the coastline of the Ards peninsula. Any suggestions for scenry we’d greatly accept.
Not as far east but I’ve twice stayed in the apartments attaching to the Downshire Arms hotel in Hilltown. Grand for skipping around the county and a topping wee village for pints and grub.
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I would put @Halfpipe down as the man with the local knowledge.
Plenty of options for hikes. The coastal drive is lovely. Murlough beach. Head up towards Strangford too. If you like the outdoors, there’s plenty to do.
I like Newcastle as a town.
@Pirlo it’s a wonderful part of the country. Spin down a little bit towards the Mournes too. The Ards Peninsula is pretty new to me. I wish we did a stop off in Strangford itself but saw the ferry about to leave and hit the gas as they say. You can get the ferry across up to 10:30 at night and go as a foot passenger so you could have pints in both spots on the same night.
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You could also hop onto the Cooley Peninsula on way up, grab some lunch, and then grab the ferry from Greenore to Greencastle which brings you onto the Mourne Costal Route.
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I shall comeback to all this closer to the date 
I’ve a mate from Castlewellan and have done the odd few nights drinking round there.A nice part of the world tbf.
The Mrs wants to visit some field of sunflowers around Kilkeel (wouldn’t rank high on my top Down towns) on Sunday. Will probably continue on to Newcastle and make a day of it.
We go again cc @mickee321’s Sunday Drives Thread.
Il start by saying I know nothing at all about the Bangor/Newtownards area. Other than it being the hurling heartland of Down I wouldn’t spend much time on Ards either, though Portaferry is a nice little town with a west Scotland feel to it.
Depending on how energetic you are the river walk in Tollymore is a lovely way to pass a few hours. If you want to get up the Mournes but don’t fancy Donard I think the best one to head for is Doan, you set off from Ott carpark and would be up and down in 3-4 hours. Great view at the top looking down Silent Valley. Castlewellan is a friendly small town with a few places for pub grub, and the park there is a fine spot as well. Murlough beach like @caulifloweredneanderthal says is the best of them up along the coast.
Strangford itself is a grand village, and Castle Ward and the grounds there are worth a look. You can hire out bikes and kayaks in it, go out on the lough and see a few seals. Iv not been though in a while and I think Game of Thrones has taken the place over a small bit.
Iv a couple of day trips planned up around Strangford and Killyleagh in 2 weeks time, if I come across anything worth reporting il let ya know.
There is an outdoor waterpark at Carryduff that is very popular, and for something a bit different I’d advise a trip into Hillsborough if you are passing that way. It’s got a real Oxfordshire village feel about it, a fine park and playground and some decent places to eat and drink.
Down is a county renowned for the beauty of its landscape and people, if you slow things down and take it all in you should have a fine time.
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I believe a visit to Clough is a must 
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I drove through Clough fairly lively as it turns out
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We had a mighty family holiday up beyond Newcastle, around Kilkeel I think a few years ago.
Newcastle is a lovely seaside town, very English language n it’s take on seaside.
The national park where they filmed some game of thrones is class, Carlingford isn’t a million miles away and is a brilliant town as well, as I’m sure you know
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Newcastle is a smashing little town
There was a festival on there recently. Ash played a small gig in Downpatrick.
Did it go off topic?
Down is in Ireland
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Bally B?
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