Paddle and Pizza

On the sheltered waters of Strangford Lough, just off the east coast of County Down near Newtownards, Paddle and Pizza pairs a beginner-friendly paddleboarding tour with a home-cooked farmhouse meal. Over three hours you’ll learn basic SUP technique with instructor Joe, push off into Ballymorran Bay, and skirt the small grassy islands that stud the lough’s tidal flats. The route favors calm bays and short crossings, so newcomers and families (children 10 and up) can focus on balance, local wildlife, and the odd playful gust of wind.

The geography here is quietly dramatic: shallow tidal channels, saltmarsh fringes, and low drumlin hills ringing the lough create clean lines against a wide sky. You’ll notice bands of kelp and rocky foreshore, wading birds like oystercatchers and eiders feeding the shallows, and occasional seals hauled on remote skerries. These elements define Strangford Lough’s distinctive coastal habitat and make every paddle feel like a moving shoreline portrait.

What truly sets this outing apart is the finish. After returning to Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, the group gathers around a wood-burning stove or in the garden room to savor handmade woodfired pizza, salads pulled straight from the kitchen garden, and a simple dessert. The contrast between salt-scented air and the warmth of a farmhouse meal is immediate and memorable; Tracey’s space provides changing facilities and indoor seating when the weather turns.

Practical notes: the session is weather dependent, so bring layers and waterproofs; arrive 15 minutes before the start; children under ten cannot take part. The experience works as a gentle introduction to paddleboarding or a sociable half-day with friends—the instructor-led format balances safety instruction with plenty of on-water exploring. Locally, Paddle and Pizza is a small-scale offering that ties active recreation to local food and hospitality, making it an appealing option for visitors based in Newtownards or touring the Ards Peninsula.

The lough has long supported fishing and ferrying, and today its sheltered bays invite gentle exploration rather than high-adrenaline sport. Groups are deliberately small—sessions suit up to 15 people—so the instructor can offer individual attention, coaching body positioning and steering while pointing out tidal cues and local lore. Beginners leave confident on a board; more experienced paddlers enjoy the relaxed pace and food reward.

Bookings are made through the Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen FareHarbor listing, and the lesson-and-lunch format makes this an easy half-day addition to any Ards Peninsula itinerary, especially for families and mixed-ability groups and friends.