Kirkistown Racing Circuit

The roar of engines echoing across the Ards Peninsula is your first clue you've found something genuinely thrilling. Kirkistown Racing Circuit, just outside Newtownards, is a proper motorsports venue where you can watch everything from club racing to international championships, depending on what's on. It's a 1.9-mile circuit that's been going since the 1950s, and it genuinely matters to the racing community here.

What you actually do depends on the calendar. Race days are electric - the atmosphere is intense, the noise is proper loud, and you'll see everything from single-seaters to touring cars. Between events, the circuit often opens for track days where enthusiasts can bring their own cars, or you can just visit during quieter periods to walk around and soak it in. The venue isn't fancy, but that's part of its charm. This is grassroots motorsport.

It's not for everyone, obviously. Kids under about eight will likely find a full day tedious unless they're already car-mad. But teenagers and anyone with even a passing interest in racing will find it engaging. Adults who remember circuit racing from their youth will feel genuinely nostalgic here.

Check the website before you go - entry fees and opening times vary wildly depending on what's running that week. Silverbay Caravan Park is just three miles away, making it easy to base yourself nearby. If you're combining this with a broader park holiday, you're well-positioned between Newtownards and the coast.