Things to do in Bangor
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North Down Heritage Centre
Housed in the converted laundry, stables and stores of Bangor Castle, this centre displays, among other historical curiosities, a facsimile of The Antiphonary of Bangor, a small 7th-century prayer book and the oldest surviving Irish manuscript (the original is housed in Milan's Ambrosian Library). There's also an interesting section on the life of William Percy French (1854–1920), the famous entertainer and songwriter (Bangor is also home to the Percy French Society; www.percyfrench.org). The centre is in Castle Park, west of the train and bus stations.
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Jeffers by the Marina
This chic little cafe-restaurant is immediately likeable, with its laid-back jazzy tunes, cool art, granite table tops and view of the marina. It serves coffee, cakes and snacks all day and also has a fresh and interesting dinner menu that features local organic produce – from Strangford Lough oysters to the signature Irish beef, slow cooked for five hours.
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Rioja
Rioja is a relaxed Mediterranean bistro with terracotta tiles and candle-lit tables, offering a range of Iberian, French and Italian dishes including cataplana, a Portuguese seafood casserole. Although it's licensed, you can bring your own wine if you want to (corkage £3); the early bird menu (5pm to 7pm Tuesday to Friday) offers any main course for £10.50.
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Coyle's Bistro
Despite being upstairs from a busy bar, this place is surprisingly intimate and inviting, with wood panelling, mirrored walls and subdued lighting, and a varied menu that ranges from ox cheeks braised in red wine to Moroccan lamb stew. The two-course set menu for two (available 5pm to 7pm) includes a bottle of wine and costs £30.
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Jenny Watts
A traditional pub with a beer garden out back, Jenny's pulls in a mixed-age crowd, offering live music three nights a week, cool tunes (in the upstairs lounge) on Friday and Saturday, and jazz and blues Sunday lunchtime and evening. It also serves good pub grub, and kids are welcome at meal times.
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Café Ceol
Bangor's biggest and busiest nightclub has a sleek cocktail bar, an intimate lounge and a stylish club venue, Mint, which features hip hop and R&B on Thursday, resident DJ on Friday, and commercial dance, house, funk and R&B on Saturday.
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Pickie Family Fun Park
Apart from strolling along the seafront, Bangor's main attraction is this old-fashioned seaside entertainment complex that's famous for its swan-shaped pedal boats, complete with kids adventure playground, karts and miniature steam train.
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Phezulu
The upstairs bistro of the Red Berry, Phezulu boasts a South African– inspired menu with dishes such as Cape Malay Curry and boerewors (pork and coriander sausages) with mash and gravy.
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Red Berry Coffee House
A chilled-out fairtrade coffee shop that serves big breakfasts (including a stack of pancakes with bacon and maple syrup) till 11.30am, and deli sandwiches and salads thereafter.
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Cockle Row Cottages
The fishing village of Groomsport, on the eastern edge of town, has a picturesque harbour overlooked by Cockle Row Cottages, one of which has been restored as a typical fisherman's home of 1910.
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Boat House
The Boat House is a cosy little nook of stone, brick and designer decor, tucked into the former Harbour Master's office across the street from the tourist office. The menu features local seafood, lamb and game, deftly prepared with a light Gallic touch.
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Blue Aquarius
Blue Aquarius offers pleasure cruises around Bangor Bay, departing from the marina pontoon next to the Pickie Family Fun Park. In July and August there are family-friendly fishing trips departing at 9.30am and 7pm daily from the Eisenhower Pier (the right-hand side of the harbour, looking out to sea).
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Ballyholme Bay
To the east of the town centre, Ballyholme Bay has a long sandy beach and wide green spaces for the kids to run around in.
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