Holywood brings together an Anglo-Norman motte, the ruins of an Augustinian abbey and a maypole that is used every year on May Day. There are also walking routes, coastal views and a range of leisure activities. To plan your visit, it is worth deciding first whether cultural history, outdoor activities or a specific leisure activity will be your main focus.
Motte and Priory: two historical periods
Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman motte. Its spiral path and tree-planted design date back to 19th-century landscaping. This makes it possible to distinguish the motte’s historical context from the later landscaping of the site.
Holywood Priory Church also spans different historical periods. Its present-day ruins are the remains of an Anglo-Norman Augustinian abbey built by Thomas Whyte in the 12th century. The church is also located on the site of a monastery founded by St. Laiseran in the early 7th century. The early monastery is part of the site’s history, while the ruins are associated with the later abbey. A visit must be arranged in advance; confirm whether a visit is possible and make arrangements before you arrive.
May Day and jewellery-making workshops
Holywood Maypole is the only surviving maypole in Ireland. It is still used every year on May Day. If you would like to include this tradition in your travel plans, make May Day a specific date to consider.
NI Silver holds workshops throughout the year where visitors can make their own pieces, such as rings and bangles. Ruth runs bespoke jewellery-making classes in her home workshop in Holywood. If a class is an important reason for your trip, check the dates in advance, as schedules may change.
Walking routes and getting there
The North Down Coastal Path runs from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east. Redburn Country Park is on the outskirts of Holywood and has seven kilometres of trails that can be used year-round. For the North Down Coastal Path, you can use the endpoints as reference points; for Redburn, the trail length and year-round access are the specific planning details.
Seapark Recreation Grounds are right by the sea and offer panoramic views across Belfast Lough. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from the town centre. You can also travel by car or by train, using the Holywood or Marino stops; there is free parking on site. The walking time is approximate. Check transport details before you travel, as they may change.
Leisure activities and booking plans
Facilities at Seapark Recreation Grounds include tennis courts, a bowling green, a putting green and an enclosed children’s play area. Sports facilities can be booked through Bangor Sportsplex. If you plan to take part in one of these activities, check booking options in advance, as facility availability may change.
Holywood Golf Club offers visitors an online reservation system that lets them book tee times around the clock. If you plan to play a round, check the booking arrangements in advance, as they may change.
When planning an overnight stay in Holywood, it is best to time your trip around your reason for visiting: May Day is relevant if you want to see the Maypole in use, a visit to the Priory must be arranged in advance, and NI Silver workshops run throughout the year. Check Priory arrangements and workshop dates in advance if one of these experiences is a deciding factor for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ardglass, Crawfordsburn, Strangford, Dundrum, Downpatrick, Rathfriland, Crossgar, Killough
For the main travel overview: Down.
