Coastal Retreat on Ballyholme Bay, Northern Ireland
House • Ards and North Down Northern Ireland United Kingdom
6 Guests
5 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms
Wheelchair accessible
Primary home
Exchange types accepted
Simultaneous
Statistics
Listed June 2025
Views 515
General Overview
A beautifully spacious and lovingly cared-for five-bedroom home nestled along the shores of Ballyholme Bay. From the moment you step inside, you feel it — a sense of calm, comfort, and true belonging. Designed with family life in mind, every room is filled with natural light and thoughtfully uncluttered, offering space to breathe, grow, and just be.
Whether it’s slow mornings in the sunlit kitchen, afternoons in the private garden with the sea breeze in the air, or cosy evenings together in warm, welcoming living spaces — this is a home that simply feels right.
Just a short stroll from the beach and local cafés, and surrounded by the beauty of coastal Northern Ireland,A place where family memories are made and every day feels like a deep breath of sea air.
The Space
The property offers excellent accessibility, full amenities, and a warm, cosy atmosphere that’s both clean and clutter free yet homely. Renovated within the past five years, it has a fresh and welcoming feel with a layout that provides plenty of space to enjoy time together or unwind in peace. The ground floor features step free access through both the front door and a private side entrance, making it ideal for those with mobility needs. Inside, you’ll find a ground floor bedroom, a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a large fully equipped kitchen with seating areas and a central island, perfect for cooking, dining and socialising. There is also a utility room with washer and dryer and two comfortable living rooms designed for relaxation.
Upstairs, there are four additional bedrooms, four with double beds and one with a single bed. One bedroom has an ensuite, and there is also a modern family bathroom with a shower. The house is always warm, with constant hot water, excellent heating and plenty of space to relax or connect. All towels, bedding and linen are fresh and ready to use, ensuring a comfortable stay. As art lovers, we’ve decorated the home with a collection of pictures gathered over time, giving it character and warmth. Outside, you’ll find driveway and off road parking, a fully accessible garden, large private lawn, BBQ area and outdoor seating, ideal for entertaining or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Guest Access
Guests have full access to the entire home, including all indoor and outdoor spaces, with step-free entry, private parking, and use of the garden, kitchen, living areas, and all bedrooms and bathrooms
Notes
Staying in Ballyholme offers the best of both worlds: peaceful coastal living with excellent travel connections. With Belfast City Airport just 25 minutes away, you can be in Edinburgh in under an hour, London in just over an hour, or Dublin by train or car in around 2.5 hours. Thanks to regular flights from Belfast City and Belfast International, Paris and Barcelona are reachable in around 2 to 2.5 hours, making Ballyholme a perfect base for exploring both the UK and Europe while enjoying the charm of a relaxed, seaside neighbourhood.
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Adventure
Budget
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Foodie
Relaxing
Luxury
City
Village
Mountains
Beach
Water
Culture
Cycling
Last minute
Good public transport
Golf
House Rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Smoke free
Fragrance free
Low allergen
Hypoallergenic
Dates of Availability
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Neighbourhood
Ballyholme is a charming seaside suburb of Bangor, County Down, located on the southern shore of Belfast Lough. It's known for its 1.3 km sandy beach and scenic promenade, which are popular for swimming, paddleboarding, windsurfing, dog walking, and family outings. The area is well-equipped with amenities including public toilets, a play area, car park, and accessible features. Ballyholme is also home to the renowned yacht club, a hub for sailing and watersports that hosts events year-round and provides training for all ages. The neighbourhood enjoys a strong sense of community, is highly walkable, and is favoured for its relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. As part of North Down, it’s well-connected to Bangor and Belfast via road and rail, and is considered one of Northern Ireland’s more affluent and family-oriented suburbs.
Getting to my home
From the US:
Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB) or Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Dublin offers direct flights from cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Belfast International usually connects via London or other European hubs.
From Dublin Airport:
By car: ~2–2½ hours (via M1/A1), with a €2 toll near Drogheda
By train + bus: Dublin Connolly → Belfast (Enterprise, ~2 hours) → Bangor by train or bus, then taxi or walk to Ballyholme
From Belfast International Airport:
By car: ~50 minutes via A2
By public transport: Airport Express bus to Belfast city centre → train to Bangor → short taxi or walk
From Europe:
Fly into Belfast City Airport (BHD) or Dublin Airport (DUB)
Belfast City has direct flights from cities like London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Berlin
Dublin offers extensive European connections
Continue as follows:
From Belfast City: Taxi or train via Sydenham → Bangor (~1 hour total), then onward to Ballyholme
From Dublin: Same options as above—car, train + coach, or private transfer
From Belfast International Airport (BFS):
By car: ~50 minutes via A2—easy and direct trip
By public transport:
Belfast International → Belfast city centre via Airport Express bus (~45–60 minutes) → Bangor via train (~45 minutes) → taxi or walk to Ballyholme
Final Leg to Ballyholme:
From Bangor town centre, it’s an easy 5–10 minute drive, a quick bus ride, or a leisurely 20–25 minute walk along the coastal promenade to reach Ballyholme.
Nearest airport
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
Distance from Bangor: ~12 miles (~20 km)
Type: Regional/short-haul international
Main Airlines: Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet
Destinations:
UK: London (Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted), Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh
EU: Amsterdam (seasonal and limited routes)
US: No direct flights
Travel Options from Bangor:
Train: ~25 minutes, £4–7
Car: ~20 minutes, £3–4 fuel
Bus: ~40 minutes, ~£3
Taxi: ~20 minutes, £24–31
Uber: ~20 minutes, ~£30
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Distance from Bangor: ~30 miles (~48 km)
Type: Main international airport for Northern Ireland
Main Airlines: easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI
Destinations:
UK: All major cities – London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, etc.
EU: Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Netherlands
US: No direct flights
Travel Options from Bangor:
Car: ~50 minutes, £6–8 fuel
Train + Bus: ~1 hour 30 minutes total, £12–15
Taxi: ~50 minutes, £60–70
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Distance from Bangor: ~100 miles (~160 km)
Type: Major international hub
Main Airlines: Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Emirates, Delta, Lufthansa, United, Air France, American Airlines
Destinations:
UK: All major cities
EU: Extensive coverage across Europe (Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, etc.)
US: Direct flights to New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C., Miami, and more
Travel Options from Bangor:
Car: ~2 hours, €32–46 fuel/tolls
Train + Bus: ~3 hours, £4–7 + €31–46
Train + Coach: ~3 hours 20 minutes, £4–7 + €21–26
Private Taxi: ~2 hours, €300+
Getting Around
Ballyholme
Walking: Everything in Ballyholme is easily walkable
Shops, cafés, pharmacy, seafront, and parks are all within 2–10 minutes on foot
The beach promenade and coastal path are popular for walking, running, and cycling
Car: Not required for local travel, but available if preferred for comfort or errands
Local parking is free and easy
Useful for trips to Bangor or larger supermarkets
Ballyholme to Bangor (Town Centre)
Walking:
Distance: ~1.2 miles / 2 km
Time: ~20–25 minutes
Route: Via Seacliff Road or Ballyholme Road
Bus: Ulsterbus 502, 503, or 504
Time: ~10 minutes
Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes
Car:
Time: ~5–7 minutes
Easy parking in Bangor town centre
Ballyholme to Belfast
Walking + Train:
Walk to Bangor Train Station: ~25 minutes
Train to Belfast: ~45 minutes
Total: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Bus:
From Bangor Bus Centre (10 min drive or 25 min walk)
Goldline Express Bus: ~45–55 minutes
Car:
Time: ~35–45 minutes
Route: A2 Coastal Road
Ballyholme to Dublin
Walking + Train:
Walk to Bangor Station: ~25 minutes
Train to Belfast: ~45 minutes
Enterprise Train Belfast to Dublin: ~2 hours
Total journey: ~3 hours 15 minutes
Driving:
Time: ~2 to 2.5 hours
Route: A2 → M3 → M1 → A1 → N1 → M1
Toll: ~€2 at Drogheda
Bus:
Aircoach or Translink X1/X2 from Belfast to Dublin
Add 45 minutes to reach Belfast from Ballyholme
Car Availability
Vehicle: Automatic car parked at the house in Ballyholme
Use: Available for personal or family use for local and long-distance travel
Fuel: Full tank filled but would need paid
Insurance: Temporary cover must be arranged and paid by the user
Suitable For: Local errands, Bangor, Belfast day trips, or Dublin visits
Parking: Free on-street at the house and generally easy in all destination
Map of Approximate Location
Feedback
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Premium
Stefan
We're a married couple, both healthcare professionals, raising three energetic boys aged 12, 10, and 6. We live by the sea, where we enjoy an active lifestyle outdoors—whether it's beach walks, bike rides, or exploring nature. Our family loves discovering new cafes, spending quality time together, and embracing different cultures through travel, food, and learning
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.