Strangford Lough

Important notice -

Our countryside space is open. We encourage everyone to observe social distancing measures. Please stay local if possible to avoid creating hotspots.

A most beautiful landscape of international importance

More about this place

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring 

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

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Strangford Lough

Wildlife

Brent geese over Strangford Lough

Beautiful autumn wildlife 

Strangford Lough is a unique place to visit at any time of the year, and in autumn there's always a wide variety of wildlife to be found by the shore or in the wider countryside.

Discover amazing wildlife this autumn

Habitats

Nugent's Wood in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough

Woodland

Around the shores of the lough, the National Trust manages a number of interesting woodlands. Killynether, below Scrabo Tower, has a terrific display of woodland flowers every spring. Nugent’s Wood, at Portaferry, is one of the last refuges for the native red squirrel.

A konik pony at Cullintraw, County Down

Farmland

We ensure our farmland is managed in a way that encourages wildlife. At Gibbs Island, you will see a meadow of wild flowers, teaming with butterflies, bees and other insects. Ballyquintin is one of the best places to spot Irish Hares and flocks of farmland birds such as finches, linnets, tree sparrows and skylark.

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Strangford Lough

History

Audley's Castle on Strangford Lough

Strangford Lough through the ages 

Mesolithic hunter gatherers, St. Patrick, Vikings, and Norman invaders have all left their mark on Strangford Lough. The wealth of archaeological evidence tells a story of mankind’s dependence on the lough that spans thousands of years.

Beach boundaries at Strangford Lough

The kelp industry 

The kelp industry has significant commercial importance to the area. Records show the landowner could sell the rights to harvest seaweed from different areas of the shore.

The remains of fish traps at Strangford Lough

Fish traps 

The wooden traps were essentially a line of hundreds of posts driven into the sand which were then interwoven with long slender branches. This made a barrier that allowed the water through, during the falling tide, but not the fish.

Neolithic log boat at Strangford Lough - as it is today

Neolithic log boat at Strangford Lough 

One of the most impressive archaeological discoveries in Northern Ireland is the Neolithic log boat at Strangford Lough. Sitting in the sands at Grey Abbey Bay, a sample of this amazing archaeological find was radiocarbon dated to between 3499 and 3032 BC. This makes it over 5,000 years old and the oldest boat in Ireland found in a marine setting.

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Strangford Lough

Our work

Sheep on the barge passing Gibb's Island, Strangford Lough

Island farming on Strangford Lough 

For nearly 200 years, farmers around Strangford have transported their livestock to the rich grazing land of the islands in the Lough. Discover the role our rangers play in helping maintain this traditional form of conservation grazing.

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Strangford Lough

Get involved

A group of volunteers working outdoors

Volunteer at Strangford Lough 

The safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors and supporters is our top concern and in accordance with Government guidelines on social distancing, our houses, shops, cafes, gardens and parks are now closed, and from March 24 all of our car parks will close. However, many will be grateful for support when they reopen. If you are interested in volunteering, please keep checking for future opportunities.

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Strangford Lough

Things to see and do

Magical fairy carving on the Nugent's Wood Trail

Nugent's Wood gets a Magical Makeover  

Explore the new and improved Nugent's Wood trail and indulge your inner child with a walk through this incredible setting.

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