Northern Ireland

Loughside walk at Castle Ward

Overlooking the south shores of Strangford Lough, Castle Ward is one of Northern Ireland’s finest demesnes, or country estates. At its heart lies an unusual Georgian mansion, but there's a lot more to discover. This walk explores the waterside, a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake and follies. In summer see the Old Castle farmyard animals and wildflower meadow, and in winter a range of migrating birds and the resident seals.

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Total steps: 6

Start point

Old Castle Ward farmyard, Castle Ward, Ballyculter Avenue, County Down, BT30 7LS. Grid ref: J573498.

Step 1

Start at the old farmyard. Note the Tower House, a fortified home built in 1610. It was the Castle Ward estate's main residence before the mansion was built. Follow the blue trail down towards the water and boathouse through a large stone gateway.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Castle Ward falls within the Strangford Lough Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which was designated in 1972. The shores, woodland, meadows, streams, marshes and farmland of the lough provide a diverse landscape rich in wildlife and cultural heritage. The name Strangford comes from the Old Norse for 'strong fjord' and probably describes the powerful currents where the Irish Sea enters the lough.

Step 2

The path leads along the waterfront, passing boathouses and small quays, before reaching Audley's Wood. Enjoy beautiful views across to Portaferry.

Wildlife

You may see seals bobbing about in the water and, in autumn and winter, birds such as redshank and, in winter, wading birds such as oystercatcher, dunlin, curlew and knot in Castle Ward Bay. Some species perform spectacular aerial displays in the evening as they prepare to roost. 75,000 wildfowl and waders spend the autumn and winter at Strangford Lough, including 75 per cent of the world's light-bellied Brent geese. The Ards Peninsula side of the lough is the best place to spot them.

Step 3

At the edge of the wood, a path on the left takes you on a short detour up the 16th-century Audley's Castle. Climb to the top for a great panorama across the estate and Castle Ward Bay.

Audley's Castle and Castle Ward

Pine marten and long-eared owls are sometimes seen around Audley's Castle at dusk. The castle, now a picturesque ruin, was the home of the Audley family from the 1550s. Nearby is the site of Audley's Town, which was cleared by the Wards in the Georgian era to improve the views within their new landscape park. Viscount Bangor spent a lot of money in the 18th century on perfecting his country seat at Castle Ward. His family, the Wards, had lived here for several hundred years, but in order to keep up with the latest aristocratic fashions, he built a large mansion with sweeping views down to Strangford Lough. Close to the castle is a Neolithic cairn where around 30 skeletons were found.

Step 4

Continue walking along the loughside then turn left away from the water and through Audley's Wood, home to badgers and lots of small birds.

Strangford Lough

Strangford Lough is the United Kingdom's largest sea inlet covering 58 square miles (150 sq km) with more than 350 islands. Millions of litres of water flow in and out twice daily, bringing vast quantities of plankton and nutrients for wildlife to feed on. Underwater reefs and kelp forests provide a habitat for 2,000 marine species like anemones, sea-squirts, starfish, sponges and urchins. Mussel beds are also an important habitat here, but in recent years trawling has done real damage to them.

Step 5

When the path exits the woodland, head right on a track, which soon leads to a gate in a stone wall. Emerge through this gate in to the parkland surrounding Temple Water. The temple itself is perched up on your right. You pass a Victorian walled garden, currently used to grow wild flowers.

Step 6

Follow the path away from the lake along a tree-lined avenue back to the farmyard. In summer, note the wildflower meadow on your left. A series of paths lead to the mansion house, woodland and playgrounds.

End point

Old Castle Ward farmyard, Castle Ward, Ballyculter Avenue, County Down, BT30 7LS. Grid ref: J573498.

Trail map

Castle Ward loughside walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

Place

Castle Ward

Unique 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles

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Trail

Castle Ward Hoof Trail

The Hoof Trail is a 7.5-mile route through woodland and along the shore of Strangford Lough with views of Audley's Castle and the Castle Ward Demesne.

Trail

Castle Ward Boundary Trail

A challenging eight-mile trail that takes in some of the best sights around Castle Ward, from Audley's Castle to the Deer Park.

Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7BA

02844881204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

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End point

Trail map