Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down

The programme includes free and ticketed events.

Programme Highlights:

Stargazing at Burr Point | Thursday 5 September | From 9pm (time tbc) | £5pp - SOLD OUT

Stargazing at Ballyhalbert's Burr Point. You can enjoy a hot chocolate at the islands most easterly point and explore the incredible starry skies with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society and their telescopes. More information to follow.

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Demo and Dine with Rachel Allen | Friday 6 September | From 7pm | £60pp - SOLD OUT

A unique dining experience at Portavogie Harbour - enjoy welcome drinks and canapes, a meet and greet and demonstrations from celebrity chef Rachel Allen and a delicious three course meal. Watch a demonstration from Rachel on how to cook the dishes you will then be served for your starter and main course, this menu, curated by Rachel, features the finest local produce, in partnership with the team at the local South Eastern Regional College (SERC). More information to follow.

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Tide and Turf Food Festival Portavogie | Saturday 7 September | 12noon - 5pm

A FREE to attend family fun event showcasing local food and drink featuring celebrity chefs Rachel Allen and James Tanner.

Savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the borough's finest food and drink as we celebrate the very best of our local seafood, beef and harvest foods. More information to follow.

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This event has received funding from DAERA’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.

Taste Autumn from 5 – 15 September 

Enjoy this celebration of land and sea and savour the season with delicious local produce. Enjoy authentic food and drink experiences showcasing unique venues and our local food heroes.

Full programme to follow

Please note: Menus for some elements of the Taste Ards and North Down food programme are seasonal and subject to change without advance notice. For information contact the host venue for the specific foodie experience that you are interested in.

Recipe inspiration

Food demonstrations and unique foodie experiences make up the programme and we want to inspire you with some dishes you can try for yourself at home, which have kindly been provided by our local chefs, producers and SERC lecturers, and may feature at some of the events - Taste Autumn Recipes

Chilli Festival, Bangor Castle Walled Garden | 14 and 15 September | 10am - 4pm

Things are hotting up in the Walled Garden on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September. Showcasing many different varieties of chilli plants from around the world, local food producers, an evening BBQ (Saturday 14 Sept, ticketed), live music and lots of fun! More information to follow.

Make a break of it

Stay a while and take a break on our shores. Relax in the beauty of this place, offering everything from 5 star luxury to cosy guest houses or unique self-catering options, maybe camping and caravanning is more your thing, let them help you plan your perfect getaway.

Find out more in the Plan Your Trip section of their website.

For more inspiration and tips on how to make the most of your trip sign up to the Visit Ards and North Down newsletter. 

Please note:

Online booking fees apply where relevant. None when booking in person or by phone via their Visitor Information Centres.

All details are subject to change.