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Nugent's Walk Trail, County Down
Look out for wildlife and wild flowers | © National Trust Images/David Armstrong
Northern Ireland

Nugent's Wood walk at Strangford Lough

Enjoy a short walk through wonderful mixed woodland at Nugent's Wood in Portaferry. Look out for red squirrels and, in the spring, bluebells, lesser celandines and cowslips.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

The kissing gate behind the stone wall at the end of the row of houses. OSNI grid ref: J59129 50867

Step 1

From the kissing gate, head towards the entrance to Nugent's Wood (marked by the colourful bluebell carving).

Step 2

Walk along the grass path, taking in the views across the lough to Castle Ward Bay, until you come to the squirrel sculpture.

Step 3

Continue along the path, passing a traditional wrought-iron gate (recently restored by National Trust rangers and volunteers), until you come to a set of steps on your right.

Step 4

Take the steps up into the woodland.

Step 5

Follow the path under oak and beech trees, keeping an eye out for some great bracket fungus growing on the trunks.

Step 6

Eventually, you'll arrive at some steps. At the bottom is a bench where you can catch your breath while enjoying the tranquil sounds of nature.

Step 7

Rejoin the original path and follow it back to the starting point.

End point

The kissing gate behind the stone wall at the end of the row of houses. OSNI grid ref: J59129 50867

Trail map

Map route for Nugent's Wood walk
Map of the Nugent's Wood walk | © Land and Property Services permit no. 120099 Crown Copyright 2013

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