Northern Ireland

Castle Trail at Castle Ward

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

Trail information summary

DifficultyEasy*
Dog friendly**
Duration 40 mins
Accessibility: Challenging***
DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88) Full trail

*Wide and flat during the first 0.6 miles (1km) then steeper sections through woodland. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs must be kept on leads. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
***Gates and steep slopes on the woodland section of the trail. For further details, please see section marked Access.

OS map: NI Discoverer Map 21

Near to Castle Ward

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

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.

Audley's Castle

The castle probably dates from around the 15th century, but the early history is unknown. It's named after its late 16th-century owners, the Audleys, an Anglo-Norman family who held land in the area in the 13th century (although it is not known if they built the castle). It was sold, with the surrounding estate, to the Ward family in 1646. By 1738 it became an eye-catching focus of the long vista along Castle Ward's artificial lake, Temple Water.

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

The classical front of Castle Ward house, Northern Ireland, with drifts of daffodils in front of it

Place

Castle Ward

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

Trail

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.

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.

Trail

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.

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Trail

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.

Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7BA

02844881204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Castle Trail at Castle Ward

Total stages: 4