Northern Ireland

Mount Stewart winter walk

Lake Walk in winter at Mount Stewart, County Down — Winter at Mount Stewart, County Down | © National Trust / Lisa Risse

Treat yourself to a gentle winter stroll around the world-class gardens and lake at Mount Stewart. On this circular route you'll discover Celtic features from the white stag guarding the family’s burial ground, to the Irish harp in the Shamrock Garden. Along the way enjoy unique views of the house and the large variety of flora and fauna reflecting the changing seasons.

Near to

Mount Stewart

Start point

Reception area Mount Stewart, OSNI grid ref: J553695

Tea-room

Why not end your walk with a visit to the cosy tea-room at Mount Stewart? Warm your cockles with a variety of delicious locally sourced food, hot drinks and snacks.

Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Reception area Mount Stewart, OSNI grid ref: J553695
Stage 1
Starting your walk from the main reception area at Mount Stewart, make your way round to the north front of the mansion. Join the wide gravelled path, which meanders left towards the lake.
Stage 2
After passing a little wooden jetty you will come to a bank with a seat set into the wall. Over to the left you can spot the south facing bank, Tìr nan Òg, meaning Land of the Ever Young in Scots Gaelic.
Stage 3
On reaching the bottom of the hill you can either follow the Rock Walk or the gravel walk alongside Jubilee Avenue, where you can spot the statue of the White Stag.
The lake
This expansive, 4-acre (1.6-hectare) lake was created in the 1840s by Charles, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, and later landscaped in the 1920s by Lady Londonderry, wife to the 7th Marquess. A winter's view over the lake at Mount Stewart provides a perfect reflective surface for the evergreens of the surrounding mature woodland. Take a closer look at the small trees and shrubs by the lakeside and you will see that they are teeming with beautiful green lichens.
Stage 4
Crossing the little stone bridge over the stream brings you to Lady's Walk. Following this track will shorten your walk and set you on the path back to the mansion house (please note, for the full walk route please skip this section and go to direction 5 below). Lady's Walk eventually rejoins with the gravelled path that takes you back to the mansion house where you began your walk.
Stage 5
Alternatively, walk past the bridge and Lady's Walk and continue forward from Jubilee Avenue onto Rhododendron Hill, which rises up to the left. There are several paths here which take you through swathes of flowers (in the warmer months) and tree-lined tracks. Follow these round until you get a good view of house before the path descends steeply to the stone vase, north lawns and eventually back to the mansion house.
End point
Reception area Mount Stewart, OSNI grid ref: J553695
Trail map
Mount Stewart winter walk map | © Crown Copyright (2013) Land and Property Services permit no. 120099
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Family walking in the sun at the front of House

Place

Mount Stewart

Neo-classical house, celebrated gardens and demesne

Trail

Mount Stewart red squirrel trail

How many red squirrels can you spot on the trail? A great walk for children and adults alike, around the formal gardens, lake and woodlands of Mount Stewart.

A view of the lake at Mount Stewart, featuring a family with a pushchair and dog, bluebells and spring trees, and a small jetty over the water

Trail

Mount Stewart lake walk

No matter what time of the year you visit, a walk around the lake at Mount Stewart provides plenty of wonderful photo opportunities.

Two women on the demesne walk at Mount Stewart, County Down in Northern Ireland

Trail

Mount Stewart Red Trail

Explore Mount Stewart's demesne woodlands and farmland on this circular trail with an abundance of wildlife and interesting features to spot along the route.

Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

02842788387

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

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