A companion who shares their interests, in North Down

Somewhere to go

The North Down Coastal Path

Holywood

A waymarked shore path running from the Esplanade in Holywood along Belfast Lough towards Helen's Bay, Bangor and Groomsport, much of it surfaced. A carer can drive to one of the many access points, walk a short there-and-back section and stop for tea in one of the villages along the way.

Getting around: WalkNI lists facilities for users with limited mobility along the route, including a wheelchair accessible cafe.

Source: walkni.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Crawfordsburn Country Park

Helen's Bay

A large coastal country park with a visitor centre, glen walks, wildflower meadows, a waterfall and two beaches. A carer can park close to the visitor centre and choose a short level loop rather than the full meadow trail.

Getting around: AccessAble notes the route from the tarmac car park to the visitor centre entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user, though assistance may be needed on the slopes and ramps.

Source: accessable.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Open House Festival, Bangor

Bangor

A music and arts festival held across Bangor venues every August, with an event most days and more than sixty in total, including daytime concerts. A carer can pick an afternoon or early evening show, book seats and arrange parking or a taxi close to the venue.

Source: visitardsandnorthdown.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Free bandstand music in Ward Park

Ward Park bandstand, Bangor

Free live music runs at the Ward Park bandstand every Sunday afternoon in July and August as part of the Open House Festival. A carer can bring a folding chair or use the park benches, so an older person can listen for as long as they are comfortable.

Source: visitardsandnorthdown.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Bangor

A restored Victorian walled garden laid out by the Ward family in the 1840s, set in Castle Park with flowers, fruit, vegetables and sculpture, and free to enter. A carer can plan a slow circuit with seated stops and a cup of tea, and the planting gives plenty to talk about season by season.

Getting around: The visitor listing notes disabled access, ample seating and toilet facilities.

Source: visitbelfast.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Ards and North Down In Bloom community competition

Bangor

An annual council run community gardening competition that encourages residents, groups and villages to plant up and improve their own patch. A carer could help an older person enter a garden, or simply visit the planted areas and displays around the borough.

Source: ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Bangor and North Down Camera Club

Kingsland, Bangor

A long established camera club in Bangor with meetings, competitions and exhibitions for all levels of experience. A carer can provide the lift to evening meetings and help carry equipment, which is often what stops people attending.

Source: sinwp.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Ward Park for wildlife photography

Bangor

A 37 acre park in central Bangor with lakes and a wildfowl sanctuary, so birds are close and easy to photograph. A carer can plan a short visit around the benches and the bandstand area rather than a full circuit.

Source: visitardsandnorthdown.com. Check opening times and access before you go.