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Travelling to the Garden
How to get to The Walled Garden by train, bus, foot and even plane!
Accessibility
The Walled Garden is wheelchair accessible – click to learn more.
Volunteer
Learn more about our volunteers, and apply to be one!
FAQ's
Everything you could need from how to buy tickets to parking.
Open House Festival in The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden has been a much-loved Open House Festival venue for many years, hosting regular concerts, theatre and classic film events.
In 2021, with covid-19 restrictions still limiting the use of indoor venues, we decided to hold the majority of our Festival events on the garden lawn, under a big red stretch tent – the perfect outdoor location with weather protection. It looked stunning, and worked so well that we’re returning this August for another full programme of live music, comedy, theatre, film and book events.
Here are some of our favourite photos from the Walled Garden, 2021
The Walled Garden
Valentine Road, Castle Park
Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BN
For up to date opening times visit the A&NDBC Website
Travelling To The Walled Garden
Foot
If arriving in Bangor by bus or train, it’s just a quick walk to the Walled Garden – see the route below.
Train
One of the loveliest train journeys in Northern Ireland is the Belfast to Bangor coastal route. The journey can take up to 40 minutes from Great Victoria Street Station and as little as 23 minutes from Belfast Lanyon Place, depending on the number of stops.
The majority of our events finish in time to get the last train back to Belfast. When this isn’t an option, it will be stated in the event description.
For timetables and tickets, go to: www.translink.co.ukÂ
Tel: 028 9066 6630
Bus
Buses run regularly from Bangor Bus Station in the centre of town to the two main Belfast city centre stations – Laganside Buscentre and Europa Buscentre on Great Victoria Street.
For full timetables and ticket prices, go to:
www.translink.co.uk Tel: 028 9066 6630
Taxi
Bangor taxi firms:
Bangor Cabs – Tel 028 9145 6456
DC Cabs – Tel 028 9145 9666
Kare Kabs – 028 9145 6777
Belfast taxi firms:
FonaCAB – Tel 028 9033 3333
Value Cabs – Tel 028 9080 9080
Plane
George Best Belfast City Airport on the Belfast-Bangor A2 is just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Bangor. The airport is also accessible by train, with just a short walk from Sydenham Station to the terminal.
For details of routes and airlines, go to:
www.belfastcityairport.com Tel: 028 9093 9093
​
Belfast International Airport is a 40 minute drive from Bangor. There is no direct bus or rail service from the town, however the Translink Airbus connects with bus services at Laganside Bus centre, and with rail services at Great Victoria Street and Belfast Lanyon Place stations.
For details of routes and airlines, go to:
www.belfastairport.com Tel: 028 9448 4848
Boat
A choice of car ferry services operate from Scotland, England and the Isle of Mann to Belfast and Larne, with crossings from 90 minutes to eight hours. (We don’t recommend swimming…)
For routes and timetables go to:
P&O Ferries: www.poferries.com Tel: 0871 664 6464
Stena Line: www.stenaline.com Tel: 028 9074 7747
Or why not sail your own boat into Bangor and berth at the marina? For details and rates, go to:
www.quaymarinas.com/our-marinas/bangor-marina Tel: 028 9145 3297
Foot
Train
One of the loveliest train journeys in Northern Ireland is the Belfast to Bangor coastal route. The journey can take up to 40 minutes from Great Victoria Street Station and as little as 23 minutes from Belfast Central Station, depending on the number of stops.
The majority of our events finish in time to get the last train back to Belfast, in cases where this isn’t possible it will be stated in the event description.
For timetables and tickets, go to:
Bus
Buses run regularly from Bangor Bus Station in the centre of town to the two main Belfast city centre stations – Laganside Buscentre and Europa Buscentre on Great Victoria Street.
For full timetables and ticket prices, go to:
www.translink.co.uk Tel: 028 9066 6630
Taxi
Bangor taxi firms:
Bangor Cabs – Tel 028 9145 6456
DC Cabs – Tel 028 9145 9666
Kare Kabs – 028 9145 6777
Belfast taxi firms:
FonaCAB – Tel 028 9033 3333
Value Cabs – Tel 028 9080 9080
Plane
George Best Belfast City Airport on the Belfast-Bangor A2 is just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Bangor. The airport is also accessible by train, with just a short walk from Sydenham Station to the terminal.
For details of routes and airlines, go to:
www.belfastcityairport.com Tel: 028 9093 9093
​
Belfast International Airport is a 40 minute drive from Bangor. There is no direct bus or rail service from the town, however the Translink Airbus connects with bus services at Laganside Bus centre, and with rail services at Great Victoria Street and Belfast Central stations.
For details of routes and airlines, go to:
www.belfastairport.com Tel: 028 9448 4848
Buses run regularly from Bangor Bus Station in the centre of town to the two main Belfast city centre stations – Laganside Buscentre and Europa Buscentre on Great Victoria Street.
For full timetables and ticket prices, go to:
www.translink.co.uk Tel: 028 9066 6630
Boat
A choice of car ferry services operate from Scotland, England and the Isle of Mann to Belfast and Larne, with crossings from 90 minutes to eight hours. (We don’t recommend swimming…)
For routes and timetables go to:
P&O Ferries: www.poferries.com Tel: 0871 664 6464
Stena Line: www.stenaline.com Tel: 028 9074 7747
Or why not sail your own boat into Bangor and berth at the marina? For details and rates, go to:
www.quaymarinas.com/our-marinas/bangor-marina Tel: 028 9145 3297
Accessibility
As an independent Festival, we pride ourselves on giving care and attention to all our customers. We’re also committed to providing a Festival that’s accessible to all.
If you are a wheelchair user, or  require special assistance, please let us know when booking your ticket, or at any time before your arrival. This will help us make your experience much more enjoyable. We operate a Buddy scheme for customers who need someone to accompany them, providing one complimentary carer ticket.
You can get in touch with us using the form below.
Volunteer
This year, our Festival Volunteer Programme is sponsored by the Clandeboye Lodge hotel complex on the outskirts of Bangor. If you’re at an Open House event during the summer you will see our volunteers wearing their 2022 t-shirts and hi-vis jackets with the Clandeboye Lodge logo emblazoned on the back. Say hello, give them a thumbs up, ask them for assistance if you need it. They’ll do their best to help.
Our small team depends on volunteers to help us deliver Open House Festival events, by assisting with ticketing, seating, event set-up, litter picking, and many other vital duties. They help to create a happy, welcoming environment and carry out their responsibilities with pride and huge smiles on their faces.
Seaside Revival volunteer applications are open now via the button below. To join the waiting list for Open House Festival volunteering please contact janet@openhousefestival.com
The volunteers were fabulous! One of our party is wheelchair bound and the person who showed us to our seats was just lovely. Thank you.
FAQ's
Tickets & Seating
Tickets and the full Festival lineup can be found on The Walled Garden Festival page.
If you attended a Festival event last year then you’ll know we used a bubble system to maintain social distancing wherever possible. Fortunately, with restrictions easing, we expect to have ‘normal’ events this year. All of our events are fully seated.
If you have any accessiblity requests please let us know when booking, or get in touch using the form here.
Parking
Accessibility & Buddy Scheme
You can see the Walled Garden Accessibility info here.
We will be operating our Buddy Scheme for disabled customers who require assistance as normal this year – providing one complimentary carer ticket.
If you require special assistance, or are eligible for a Buddy ticket, please inform us at the time of booking.
I can't attend a show, can I get a refund?
Unfortunately we can only offer refunds or exchange tickets in the case of a cancelled event or in exceptional circumstances.
Can I bring food/drink to the event?
You are welcome to bring your own refreshments into the Walled Garden – but please use the litter bins provided or bring your rubbish home with you, and be respectful of the beautiful surroundings and other audience members.
Two local businesses, Bumble and Goose and the Guillemot Deli, are offering special festival food boxes which can be pre-ordered via their websites, and collected directly from them in the Walled Garden car park before your event. For details and to book a box visit Bumble & Goose or The Guillemot
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. Once you complete your booking, your ticket will be emailed to you. We would encourage you to show it on a mobile device when you arrive at your event – but you can also print it and bring it with you if necessary.Â
The tickets have a QR code in the top corner, which we will scan upon entry. It’s much quicker for us to scan them from a phone – and much better for the environment.
Are there age restrictions?
Some of the events do have age restrictions and these are clearly listed at the point of sale. Please note, it is inadvisable to bring very young children and babies to any event.
The event is sold out, do you have a waiting list?
If a show has sold out, you can add your name to the waiting list via the ticketsolve event page.
If further seating or cancellations become available, we will contact you (which does happen often so it’s well worth doing!).
What time can I enter the venue from?
The gates will open half an hour before the show starts. Please do not arrive earlier than the gate time on your ticket. If there is a queue, please maintain social distancing and be respectful of other audience members, volunteers and Open House staff.
If rain is forecast will the event be cancelled?
The audience and stage area of the Walled Garden will be covered with a stretch tent canopy, so rain should not affect the events. However, as you will still be outdoors it may get chilly, so please dress accordingly.
I've lost something at an event, help!
If you leave something behind at an event, please email us at info@openhousefestival.com and we’ll do our best to help.
Tickets & Seating
Tickets and the full Festival lineup can be found on The Walled Garden Festival page.
If you attended a Festival event last year then you’ll know we used a bubble system to maintain social distancing wherever possible. Fortunately, with restrictions easing, we expect to have ‘normal’ events this year. All of our events are fully seated.
If you have any accessiblity requests please let us know when booking, or get in touch using the form here.
Parking
There is ample free parking directly outside The Walled Garden with the Aurora Leisure Centre directly opposite.
Accessibility & Buddy Scheme
You can see The Walled Garden Accessibility info here.
We will be operating our Buddy Scheme for disabled customers who require assistance as normal this year – providing one complimentary carer ticket.
If you require special assistance, or are eligible for a Buddy ticket, please inform us at the time of booking.
I can't attend a show, can I get a refund?
Unfortunately we can only offer refunds or exchange tickets in the case of a cancelled event or in exceptional circumstances.
Can I bring food/drink to the event?
You are welcome to bring your own refreshments into the Walled Garden – but please use the litter bins provided or bring your rubbish home with you, and be respectful of the beautiful surroundings and other audience members.
Do I Need to print my ticket?
No. Once you complete your booking, your ticket will be emailed to you. We would encourage you to show it on a mobile device when you arrive at your event – but you can also print it and bring it with you if necessary.Â
Are there age restrictions?
Some of the events do have age restrictions and these are clearly listed at the point of sale. Please note, it is inadvisable to bring very young children and babies to any event.
The event is sold out, do you have a waiting list?
If a show has sold out, you can add your name to the waiting list via the ticketsolve event page.
If further seating or cancellations become available, we will contact you (which does happen often so it’s well worth doing!).
What time can I enter the venue from?
The gates will open half an hour before the show starts. Please do not arrive earlier than the gate time on your ticket. If there is a queue, please maintain social distancing and be respectful of other audience members, volunteers and Open House staff.
If rain is forecast will the event be cancelled?
The audience and stage area of the Walled Garden will be covered with a stretch tent canopy, so rain should not affect the events. However, as you will still be outdoors it may get chilly, so please dress accordingly.
I've lost something at an event, help!
If you leave something behind at an event, please email us at info@openhousefestival.com and we’ll do our best to help.
If you have any other queries please get in touch with us here. We look forward to welcoming you to the Garden in August!
