Helen's Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helen's Bay
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_-_geograph.org.uk_-_768614.jpg) Helen's Bay railway station |
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 Helen's Bay
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| Population | 1,390 (2011 Census) |
| • Belfast | 9 mi (14.5 km) |
| District |
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| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BANGOR |
| Postcode district | BT19 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament |
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| NI Assembly |
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Helen's Bay is a lovely village located on the northern coast of County Down, Northern Ireland. It sits between the towns of Holywood, Crawfordsburn, and Bangor. The village is part of the area managed by the Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Helen's Bay is served by its own train station. In the 2011 Census, about 1,390 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to around 1,890 people. The village is named after Helen Blackwood, who was a Baroness and owned the nearby Clandeboye Estate.
Contents
Exploring Helen's Bay: Fun Places to Visit
Helen's Bay offers several interesting spots for visitors to enjoy. From beautiful coastlines to historical forts, there's something for everyone.
Crawfordsburn Country Park: Nature and Beaches
Crawfordsburn Country Park is a fantastic place to explore. It's located right on the southern shores of Belfast Lough. The park has about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) of coastline. You can find a small, pretty beach there, perfect for relaxing.
Grey Point Fort: A Glimpse into History
Inside Crawfordsburn Country Park, you'll find Grey Point Fort. This old fort was built in 1904. It was a coastal battery, meaning it had big guns to protect the coast. During World War II, it was updated and used as the main headquarters for Northern Ireland's coastal defense. Today, Grey Point Fort is a military museum. It teaches you about its role in protecting Belfast from naval attacks. The fort was officially closed in 1956.
Helen's Bay Beach: Perfect for Summer Fun
Helen's Bay Beach is a very popular spot, especially in the summer. Many people come here to swim and enjoy the water. The beach has even won the Green Coast Award, which means it's a clean and well-managed place.
Helen's Bay Golf Club: A Place to Play
If you enjoy golf, Helen's Bay has its own golf club. It features a 9-hole course, which is great for a quick game or for practicing your swing.
People from Helen's Bay
Some notable people have connections to Helen's Bay. Andrew Bree, a well-known swimmer, is from the village. Also, the famous chef Michael Deane once owned a restaurant here. His restaurant, Deane's on the Square, earned a Michelin star. This was a big achievement, as it was only the second Michelin star ever given in Northern Ireland.
How People Live: The 2011 Census
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) collects information about how people live. In the 2011 Census, which happened on April 29, 2001, there were 1,362 people living in Helen's Bay. Here are some interesting facts from that time:
- About 20.1% of the people were under 17 years old.
- Around 27.6% were 65 years old or older.
- The population was almost evenly split between males (47.9%) and females (52.1%).
- Most people, about 65.8%, identified as Protestant.
- About 22.2% said they were non-religious.
- Around 10.9% identified as Roman Catholic.
- Only 1.0% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
Weather in Helen's Bay
| Climate data for Helens Bay, elevation: 43 m (141 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 14.4 (57.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
21.2 (70.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.7 (83.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
24.2 (75.6) |
21.1 (70.0) |
17.3 (63.1) |
14.9 (58.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 7.7 (45.9) |
8.5 (47.3) |
10.3 (50.5) |
12.7 (54.9) |
15.6 (60.1) |
18.0 (64.4) |
19.6 (67.3) |
19.4 (66.9) |
17.3 (63.1) |
13.8 (56.8) |
10.2 (50.4) |
8.1 (46.6) |
13.5 (56.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.4 (41.7) |
5.7 (42.3) |
7.0 (44.6) |
8.9 (48.0) |
11.4 (52.5) |
13.9 (57.0) |
15.5 (59.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
13.8 (56.8) |
10.8 (51.4) |
7.7 (45.9) |
5.8 (42.4) |
10.1 (50.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3.0 (37.4) |
2.9 (37.2) |
3.7 (38.7) |
5.2 (41.4) |
7.2 (45.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
11.5 (52.7) |
11.6 (52.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
7.9 (46.2) |
5.3 (41.5) |
3.5 (38.3) |
6.8 (44.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −4.9 (23.2) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
2.1 (35.8) |
5.0 (41.0) |
4.8 (40.6) |
1.6 (34.9) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 92.5 (3.64) |
74.7 (2.94) |
72.0 (2.83) |
61.6 (2.43) |
63.4 (2.50) |
71.5 (2.81) |
76.7 (3.02) |
82.8 (3.26) |
72.1 (2.84) |
97.8 (3.85) |
103.4 (4.07) |
99.1 (3.90) |
967.7 (38.10) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 14.7 | 12.5 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 11.9 | 11.3 | 12.9 | 13.2 | 11.4 | 13.3 | 15.4 | 14.8 | 155.1 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 49.1 | 76.8 | 112.4 | 162.4 | 201.7 | 171.3 | 157.5 | 157.2 | 124.9 | 95.9 | 62.6 | 42.7 | 1,414.4 |
| Source 1: Met Office | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Starlings Roost Weather | |||||||||||||
Getting Around: Transport in Helen's Bay
Helen's Bay has good transport links. The Helen's Bay railway station first opened on May 1, 1865. While it stopped handling goods in 1950, it still serves passengers. Helen's Bay is on the Belfast–Bangor railway line. This means you can easily travel by train with services provided by Northern Ireland Railways.
Telephone Services
Even though it's a small village, Helen's Bay has its own BT Telephone exchange. This means local phone numbers for the area start with specific codes, such as (028) 9185 2XXX, (028) 9185 3XXX, or (028) 9185 4XXX.
See also
In Spanish: Helen's Bay para niños
