Local government district · Northern Ireland
Ards and North Down
Discover the coastal landscapes, estates and maritime heritage of Ards and North Down on Northern Ireland’s eastern coast.
Quick facts
- Type of place
- Local government district
- Nation
- Northern Ireland
- Official identifier
- gss:N09000011
- Part of
- Northern Ireland (Nation)
Overview
Ards and North Down is a local government district along Northern Ireland’s eastern coast. It includes the Ards Peninsula, between the Irish Sea and Strangford Lough, alongside other parts of the council area. The peninsula and the whole district are distinct geographies.
Ards and North Down is a local government district in Northern Ireland.
Population and demographics
- Population
- 165,407 people
-
Figures for . NISRA MYE25 Northern Ireland and LGD2014 administrative areas.
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency · nisra-mid-2025 · Flat!F636. Released 24 September 2026.
Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: NISRA. Website: https://www.nisra.gov.uk. Crown copyright; Open Government Licence v3.0.
Coastal heritage, parkland and gardens
Towns and villages across Ards and North Down have abbey, castle and maritime heritage. Bangor has a marina, while its Castle Park provides a different setting: Bangor Castle stands alongside North Down Museum and near a walled garden. These examples bring coastal and parkland settings into the same local account. Mount Stewart lies on the eastern shore of Strangford Lough, outside Newtownards and near Greyabbey. Its lough-side setting contrasts with the parkland around Bangor Castle. The peninsula’s shores, Castle Park and Mount Stewart’s estate offer several ways to explore the district without treating the Ards Peninsula as the whole council area.