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.

Name, Pronunciation and Meaning

The monument was originally known as the Londonderry Monument. The Irish placename Scrabo derives from screabach meaning “thinly covered rock” or “rough stony land”, with an alternative suggestion of scraith bó – “cow pasture”. Historically the townland was recorded as Scrabock in the 16th century. Pronunciation varies: the BBC records it as /ˈskræbɔː/ while the Placenames Database of Ireland gives /ˈskrɑːbɔʊ/.

Geology and Pre‑history

Scrabo Hill sits on a volcanic plug of Triassic sandstone intersected by dolerite sills, a feature that makes the summit stand out sharply against the surrounding lowlands. The hilltop was once the site of a prehistoric cairn and later formed part of an estate owned by the Dominican Order before the Londonderry family acquired it. The geological contrast is highlighted in the eastern slope, which is designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

History

The monument commemorates Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (1788‑1854), a Napoleonic‑War general who later became a controversial landlord during the Great Famine. After his death, his 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.

A design competition was held in 1855; the winning entry was submitted by the architectural partnership Lanyon & Lynn (Charles Lanyon and William Henry Lynn). Their Scottish‑Baronial design was intended to echo the peel towers of the Stewart dynasty. Construction began with the laying of the foundation stone on 27 February 1857. Budget overruns pushed the final cost to £3 010 and work stopped in 1859, leaving the interior unfinished.

The tower stands 135 ft (41 m) tall and is visible for many miles across the North Down coast; it has become an emblem of Newtownards. It 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. After intermittent closures, the tower fully reopened to the public in 2017, but water‑damage to the electrical system forced a closure in 2014 that, as of the latest Department for Communities information, remains in effect.

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 on exceptionally clear days the Scottish coast (Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Craig, Rhins of Galloway).
• 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 north‑face entrance 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. Picnic tables near the car park provide 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.

Virtual Tour

The Discover Northern Ireland website hosts a short virtual tour of Scrabo Tower, allowing visitors to explore the interior and the views from the parapet online – useful while the tower remains closed.

Safety, Access & Recent Closures

The tower’s exposed position makes it vulnerable to wind and rain. Repeated water ingress damaged the electrical supply and lighting in 2014, leading the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to suspend public access to the interior. As of the latest Department for Communities listing, the tower is not open to the public; the surrounding park and its walking routes remain fully accessible.

Visitor tip: Bring sturdy footwear for the steep climb to the car park and the 122‑step stairwell, and check the official Discover Northern Ireland page for any special‑event openings.

Practical Information

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

Admission – Entry to the surrounding country park is free. The tower interior is currently closed, so there is no admission fee for the tower itself.

Opening Hours – Grounds open daily; tower currently closed to the public (subject to change). See the official website for updates.

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

Contact – Phone: 028 9082 3207 • Email: scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Grid Reference – J4776072600

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.