Bangor Castle

Bangor Castle stands in Castle Park, Bangor, County Down. It began as a mansion built for Sir James Hamilton around 1611 on land once occupied by Bangor Abbey, founded by St Comgall in 558. The present building was commissioned by Robert Edward Ward and designed by William Burn in the Jacobethan style, completed in 1852. Its east front has five bays, with a castellated tower on the left and gabled windows on the right. Inside, the mansion once held thirty-five bedrooms and a large salon where the violinist William Henley performed in 1893.

The castle is worth visiting for its history and collections. It has been home to Franciscan friars, a private mansion, and now serves as council offices. The gardens, laid out by the Ward family in the 1840s, have won awards for their displays. A museum inside displays items from the Ward and Bingham families, including the Victoria Cross of Commander Edward Bingham. Paintings include a portrait by Edwin Long of Charles V.

Visitors find a mix of architecture and grounds. The asymmetrical front with its tower and gables remains striking. Inside, the former music salon is now a council chamber, and portraits and artefacts line the walls. The gardens are open to the public and offer colourful displays. The building has also appeared in films such as The Bookshop.