Northern Ireland

Riverside circular walk at Minnowburn

Starting in Minnowburn, this leisurely walk follows the banks of the River Lagan into the heart of the Lagan Valley Regional Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with an optional detour to the historic village of Edenderry.

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Total stages: 7

Start point

Minnowburn car park, grid ref: NW445242

Stage 1

From the car park, take one of the paths down to the Lagan riverside and follow the path along the bank upstream. It will take you past Edenderry Nature Reserve and the old Edenderry House estate, and almost to the village itself.

Stage 2

If you want to pay a visit to Edenberry village, take the path to the left just after the brown wooden Gilchrist Bridge. Otherwise, cross the bridge and follow the tarmac Lagan towpath back downstream.

Stage 3

Follow the towpath past Barnett Demesne on your left, up to Shaw's Bridge, past the boathouse and through the gate into the Shaw's Bridge car park.

Stage 4

Follow the path under the new road bridge then take the path to the right, which runs through an avenue of trees parallel to the river.

Shaw's Bridge

The site of Shaw's Bridge was the original crossing point on the Lagan. Before the bridge existed, it was the fording point for the route from the north to the south of Ireland. The first wooden bridge was built in 1617, with an overlooking fort on the site of Malone House. The fort and possibly the bridge were destroyed in 1641 and an engineer in Cromwell's army, Captain Shaw, rebuilt it in oak in 1655, giving the bridge it's name. It was rebuilt in stone a number of times before the current bridge was constructed in 1709.

Stage 5

Continue along this path through Clement Wilson Park until it reaches New Forge Lane. Turn right and follow the road past the car park on your right to the bridge back over the river. Continue along this path to the Lock Keeper's Cottage and Inn.

The Lock Keeper's Cottage

Work began in 1756 on making the Lagan river navigable and was completed as far as Lisburn by 1763. The work consisted of making 'cuts' through the larger loops of the river and building locks there. In 1958, the river was finally closed to navigation but some of the locks remain. Lock number 3, or McLeave's Lock, is one of the few where the lock keeper's cottage, the bridge and the lock remained intact. They have since been restored and the lock is now in full working order and the cottage is open to the public.

Stage 6

Just after the lock, cross the stone bridge over the canal and follow the path back to Shaw's Bridge.

Stage 7

Passing under the new and old bridges, follow the riverside path past the three meadows back to Minnowburn Bridge. Cross the bridge to return to the car park.

End point

Minnowburn car park, grid ref: NW445242

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the riverside walk at Minnowburn, Northern Ireland — The riverside walk at Minnowburn, Northern Ireland | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

Trail

Giant's Ring circular walk at Minnowburn

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Edenderry Road, Belfast, County Down, BT8 8LE

02890647787

belfast@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Riverside circular walk at Minnowburn

Total stages: 7