Holywood - Park, Coast Path & Priory

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Holywood Park, the coast path and priory, with Detectives called in after a new ice cream vendor's cart is found abandoned in Holywood, and they must follow the trail around the town, coast path and priory to gather evidence and crack the case.

The investigation covers 1.7 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll set off from Sea Park Recreation Park, follow footpaths and pavements around Holywood shore and the town centre, investigate the coastal path and Old Priory Church area, then loop back to Sea Park Recreation Park along the shore, keeping the Lough on your left.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route uses footpaths and pavements around Holywood shore and town centre, with a coastal path, a tunnel under the main road, roads to cross when safe, zebra crossings and a railway bridge near the end.

Keep Mini Detectives close around road crossings, and cross roads only when it is safe to do so. The route also goes under the main road, crosses at traffic lights and passes under a railway bridge.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Sea Park Recreation Park. The recommended car park is also at Sea Park Recreation Park, on the coastal side of the main Holywood to Bangor carriageway.

By public transport: Make your way to Sea Park Recreation Park to begin the case. The circular route returns to Sea Park Recreation Park along the shore once the evidence has been gathered.

Need the Loo?

There are toilets next to the car park at the start of the Trail, so this is the best place for Detectives to make a quick comfort stop before the investigation gets underway.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route follows footpaths, pavements and the coastal path around Holywood shore and town centre, with roads to cross, a tunnel under the main road and a railway bridge near the end. Keep canine colleagues close around traffic, crossings and busier town centre stretches.

Food & Drink Stops

Evidence-gathering can be hungry work, so keep your squad fuelled along the way.

There are cafes, restaurants and shops along the route, particularly between Clues 08 and 11 and 15 and 16, giving Detectives plenty of chances to pick up snacks, drinks or a proper refuel during the case.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Old Priory Church

The Old Priory Church is a key historic stop for curious Detectives. The first recorded reference to Holywood was made in AD 634 with the establishment of a monastic settlement on this site, and the town's name comes from the Latin Sanctus Boscus, meaning 'holy wood'.

Holywood's Maypole

Holywood's Maypole is the only one left in Ireland today. Early maps show it has stood on this site since the early 17th century, and it is still the focus of the town's annual May Day celebrations, when local school children dance around it.

The Sculpture of the House

Keep an eye out for the sculpture depicting 'the 19th century domicile of choice for Belfast's industrial barons'. In 1865, when the railway was extended along the coastline, Holywood became a place of residence for Belfast's wealthy industrialists, who built mansions in the hills behind the town.

Holywood Town Centre Memorials and Plaques

The town centre route passes several details worth a slower look once the case is under control, including the 'Johnny the Jig' sculpture, a great war memorial, a blue plaque on Hibernia Street and the First Presbyterian Church obelisk.