Scrabo Tower

Overview

Scrabo Tower dominates the skyline of Scrabo Hill, a 540‑foot (160 m) rise that overlooks Newtownards, Strangford Lough and the surrounding countryside of North Down. Built in 1857 as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, the tower is a classic example of a Victorian folly – a decorative structure that looks like a medieval peel tower but was never intended for defence. Today it sits within Scrabo Country Park, a tranquil woodland area managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and serves as a popular day‑trip destination for locals and tourists alike.

History

The monument was commissioned after the death of Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, in 1854. His eldest son, Frederick Stewart, 4th Marquess, and the dowager Marchioness each raised funds, eventually gathering contributions from 730 local subscribers, including the French Emperor Napoleon III. The design competition was won by the architectural partnership Lanyon & Lynn, who proposed a Scottish‑Baronial tower reminiscent of the peel towers once built by the Stewart dynasty in Scotland.

Construction began with the laying of the foundation stone on 27 February 1857. Financial overruns saw the original budget of £2 000 swell to £3 010, and work stopped in 1859, leaving the interior unfinished. The tower’s caretaker, William McKay, lived on‑site and ran a tearoom until 1966. After the state acquired the property, the tower was listed as a Grade B+ historic building in 1977. A major refurbishment in 1992 added lightning protection, repaired windows and installed a wooden floor between the second and third storeys. The tower reopened fully to the public in 2017 after a period of intermittent closures.

What to See & Do

Climb to the Parapet

A narrow spiral staircase of 122 steps winds up the southeast corner stair‑tower, culminating in a crenellated parapet walk. From this lofty platform visitors can spot:

• Strangford Lough and its islands – the lough’s shimmering waters stretch to the horizon.
• Helen’s Tower to the north, another Scottish‑Baronial folly built by a neighbour of the Londonderry family.
• The Copeland Islands, their lighthouse, and the Scottish coast (Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Craig, Rhins of Galloway) on exceptionally clear days.
• The Isle of Man to the south‑east, the Mourne Mountains to the south, and Divis Mountain and Cave Hill over Belfast to the west.

Explore the Architecture

The tower’s square base gives way to a cylindrical storey capped by a steep conical roof. Four round turrets, each with its own conical cap, punctuate the roofline, while machicolated battlements link the turrets to a central platform. The entrance on the north face bears a slate‑coloured plaque dedicating the monument to the 3rd Marquess, surmounted by a white‑limestone relief showing the Londonderry coronet, a dragon crest (Stewart) and a sword‑armed gauntlet (Vane).

Walk the Country Park

Scrabo Country Park offers several marked routes through beech woodlands (Killynether Wood) and past the historic sandstone quarries that supplied the tower’s stone. The eastern slope of the hill is an Area of Special Scientific Interest, showcasing contacts between Triassic sandstone and intrusive dolerite sills. A picnic area near the car park provides a pleasant spot to rest after the climb.

Film‑Location Fun

Fans of cinema will recognise the surrounding landscape from Dracula Untold (2014), where Universal Pictures used Scrabo Country Park and Killynether Wood for several scenes.

Practical Information

Address & Parking – The tower is accessed via Scrabo Road, Newtownards, BT23 4SJ. On‑site parking is available free of charge, though occasional event‑related charges may apply.

Admission – Entry to the tower and its interior exhibition is free of charge. The surrounding country park is also free to explore.

Opening Hours – The grounds and country park are open daily year‑round. The tower itself is generally open to visitors; however, occasional safety‑related closures have occurred (the site was fully reopened in 2017 after restoration work).

Accessibility – The climb involves a steep, narrow staircase of 122 steps and is therefore not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.

Nearby Attractions – While in the area you can easily reach:

• Mount Stewart (National Trust house, 15‑minute drive)
• WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre (10‑minute drive)
• Crawfordsburn Country Park (20‑minute drive)
• Scrabo Golf Club and the Ards Peninsula for additional outdoor pursuits.

Coordinates – 54.58031 N, ‑5.71544 W.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a photography lover chasing sweeping seascapes, or simply seeking a peaceful walk with a rewarding summit, Scrabo Tower offers a uniquely Irish blend of heritage and natural beauty.