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Castle Trail at Castle Ward

Northern Ireland

View down Strangford Lough from Castle Ward Bay with Audley's Castle on the left in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Strangford Lough and Audley's Castle, County Down | © National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

An excellent trail for spotting wildlife and taking in the stunning scenery of Strangford Lough, Audley's Castle and the farmyard at Castle Ward.

Start point

Shore car park, OSNI grid reference: J571497

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)
Duration 40 mins
Dog friendly***
  1. *Wide and flat during the first 0.6 miles (1km) then steeper sections through woodland. For further details, please see Terrain section.

  2. **Gates and steep slopes on the woodland section of the trail. For further details, please see section marked Access.

  3. ***Dogs must be kept on leads. For further details, please see section marked Facilities. 

  • Total stages: 4

    Total stages: 4

    Start point

    Shore car park, OSNI grid reference: J571497

    Stage 1

    Start in the shore car park.

    Stage 2

    Follow the shore of Strangford Lough from the farmyard to Audley's Quay.

    Stage 3

    The trail then leads you around Audley's Castle.

    Stage 4

    Now follow Audleystown Road, a quiet public road back to the farmyard.

    End point

    Castle Ward farmyard

    Trail map

    Castle Ward castle trail for walking and cycling in County Down, Northern Ireland
    Castle Ward castle trail, County Down | © Crown copyright (2013) Land and Property Services permit no. 100153

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More near here

Castle Ward 

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

Downpatrick, County Down

Fully open today
Family by Castle Ward in Autumn

Loughside walk at Castle Ward 

Explore the waterside, with a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake, follies and wildlife to spot along the way, on this easy circular walk.

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Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
Strangford Lough at Castle Ward, County Down

Castle Ward Shore Trail 

Follow this short accessible trail at Castle Ward, County Down and take in the beautiful surroundings and scenery of Strangford Lough and architecture of the castle.

Activities
Walking, Cycling
DistanceMiles: 1.2 (km: 1.92)
An adult and two children are walking a dog at at Strangford Lough, County Down. They're standing on a raised wall above the lough and there are rolling yellow crop fields in the background.

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.

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Horse Riding
DistanceMiles: 7.5 (km: 12)
A horse rider at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire in spring

Get in touch

Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7BA

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

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