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Home , Ards (borough), Ards peninsula, Ballygowan, Ballywalter, Castle Ward, Copeland Islands

Discover 1. West shore of Salt Island is accessible to the general public by boat and Contact details bothy style accommodation is available to rent. For further Lough details and to book the bothy, please contact reception on (028) 4278 8387. Salt Island is part of the National Trust and the Peninsula Killynether Wood, near - owned by National Trust and managed by Northern Environment Agency. Strangford Lough Canoe Trail and the nearest access points • Strangford Lough and : are at and Delamont Country Park. A unique and wonderful The Trust manages a small area of hazel woodland by coppicing (028) 4278 7769 or e-mail: [email protected] place for wildlife and people the trees, a traditional countryside skill which is rapidly • For Strangford Lough events information and bookings, View of Strangford Lough sunset from Road disappearing. There is a car park and network of paths, muddy in Look out for contact Mount Stewart reception on: (028) 4278 8387 places and some steep sections. • Otters • National Trust - : (028) 4488 1204 • Yellow flag iris beds. Welcome Look out for • National Trust - Mount Stewart: (028) 4278 8387 Driving tours • National Trust - Rowallane Garden: (028) 9751 0131 Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the British Isles • Breathtaking views of Strangford Lough Salt Island Bothy There are a number of recommended driving tours: • A wonderful array of woodland flowers in the spring. covering an area of 150 square kilometres and is one of only www.nationaltrust.org.uk/strangford-lough three marine nature reserves in the whole of the UK. 1 West shore of Strangford Lough: Killynether Wood Gibb’s Island, 2 miles (3 km) south of Killyleagh. The island is The National Trust is an independent registered charity number 205846 Reagh Island, 4 miles (6 km) east of (managed by NIEA), Reagh Island and Gibb’s Island. covered with species rich grassland and grazed with traditional Over 2,000 species of marine wildlife are found in or around - small car park and 0.3 miles cattle such as the Galloway in late summer and autumn, and Other useful numbers the Lough, of which 28 are not recorded anywhere else in Total distance: 25 miles (39 km) one way (0.5 km) trail through woodland along the occasionally in the spring. These cattle are relatively docile, but • Emergency Services: 999 . shores of Strangford Lough, which can be please keep dogs under control, especially when cows have young • Coastguard: (028) 9146 3933 2 North Coast: Ballymacormick Point, Cockle Island muddy at times. • Maritime and Coastguard Agency: 0870 600 6505 Its name is derived from Norse meaning ‘strong fjord’, referring Centre, McCutcheon’s Field and Orlock Point. calves. The island is linked to the mainland by a causeway. There Jay • PSNI (Non-Emergency): 0845 600 8000 to the dramatic currents in the Narrows which are some of the Total distance: 4 miles (6 km) one way Look out for is car parking at the end of Island Road and a 0.3 (0.5km) circular fastest in the world. A staggering 350 million cubic metres of • The colourful jay and the majestic crack willow. trail which can be wet and muddy at times. • Strangford Ferry: (028) 4488 1637 • DoE Strangford Lough Ranger 078902 08302 water enters the Lough through the Narrows and leaves again 3 Ards Peninsula South: Kearney village and coastal path, The vast majority of the foreshore from Reagh • Water Pollution Hotline: 0800 807060 with each passing tide. Knockinelder, Ballyquintin/Bar Hall, Nugent’s Wood and Look out for Island to Gibb’s Island is managed by the Trust under lease • Dead seals (NIEA Quoile Countryside Centre): (028) 4461 5520 Ballyhenry Island. • Wildflower meadows in the summer, which include common The National Trust manages over 4,000 hectares of coast and from the Crown Estate. There are good access points at Whiterock • Injured/abandoned seals (Exploris): (028) 4272 8062 Total distance: 12 miles (18 km) one way spotted orchid countryside in and around Strangford Lough and the Ards and Killyleagh. The latter has a good array of local shops, places • The woodland has a large rookery and a magical sight is the • Cetacean and turtle strandings (UK Cetacean Strandings Peninsula. The Trust also cares for Mount Stewart and Castle for refreshments, public toilets and accommodation. Investigative Programme): 0800 652 033 4 Ards Peninsula North: Ballyreagh car park, Mount Stewart large flocks of crows coming into roost during the winter. Ward, key visitor attractions in the area. • Strangford Lough and Partnership: (028) 4272 8886 including lookout and red squirrel walk, car park, Look out for Driving route • Ards Tourist Information Centre: (028) 9182 6846 The Lough contains at least 100 islands, although legend has it Glastry Clay Pits and Horse Island. • Birds such as grey heron, redshank, and curlew. You may even Car: Refer to map (1) • Portaferry Tourist Information Centre: (028) 4272 9882 that there is one for each day of the year. It is the most protected Total distance: 18 miles (28 km) one way spot a little egret, a recent colonist which appears to be Bus: There is a bus service between Newtownards and • Tourist Information Centre: (028) 4461 2233 nature conservation site in Northern Ireland. The Lough itself is benefiting from milder winters. ( 5A), Comber and Killyleagh (Ulsterbus 511), • North Down Tourist Information Centre: (028) 9127 0069 designated as a Special Area for Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds The Trust owns a number of islands off the west and Killyleagh and Downpatrick (Ulsterbus 14). However, • Translink: (028) 9066 6630 shore of the Lough including; Innisharoan and Darragh there is still a good walk to get to the majority of National Directive, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, a Marine Nature Photo credits Reserve, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and an Island off Whiterock; Island Taggart to the north of Killyleagh; Trust sites from these bus routes. National Trust Images: John Millar internationally important wetland site protected under the and Green Island, Salt Island, and Launches Long and Little to Cycle: Route 20 of the Regional Cycle Network follows the west National Trust: Bernie Brown, Craig McCoy,Trevor Moffett, Ramsar convention. the south of Killyleagh. Most of these islands are grazed by side of Strangford Lough. cattle and sheep and the Trust has its own barge for transporting Hugh Thurgate, Andrew Upton, Richard Corvus, Craig Nash, Over a quarter of the entire protected area of Strangford Lough is stock to and from the islands. In order to protect sensitive North East Wildlife managed by the National Trust. The Trust also manages a number habitats for wildlife, visiting is restricted. Front cover / Bernie Brown

of sites along the Outer coastline. The Look out for Our work is supported by Northern Ireland Environment Agency Outer Ards coastline is designated as a Special Protected Area Mount Stewart • Birds such as shag and turnstone in winter, and breeding and an Area of Special Scientific Interest. black guillemots. Irish moiled cows

Nugent’s Wood, along the shore of McCutcheon’s Field, on 3. Ards Peninsula South Strangford Lough immediately to the the eastern outskirts of north of Portaferry. There is a 0.65 mile Kearney village and coastal path, on the Outer Ards, is , was saved (1 km) linear walk through the wood along from development following located 3 miles (5 km) east of Portaferry. The village and coastal mown grassy paths. There is a loop at the a campaign by the local path has been in National Trust care since 1965 and was the end, which involves a steep section and Bluebells community and was Trust’s first purchase in Northern Ireland through the Enterprise the path can be muddy in places. You can McCutcheon’s Field subsequently purchased by Neptune scheme. The first recorded dwellings at Kearney date park in Portaferry itself. Portaferry has a good range of shops, the National Trust in 2000. It is accessible by following the back to the 18th century. At one time, 30 fishing vessels operated public toilets, information centre, places for refreshments, and Ballymacormick Point Puffin Irish hare North Down Coastal Path out of Groomsport. There are a out of Kearney and nearby Tara. Following acquisition, the Trust visitor attractions such as the Exploris Aquarium. Portaferry is also range of shops, public toilets and places for refreshments completely reconstructed the village based on the 1834 Ordnance a popular destination for boat trips on Strangford Lough. The in Groomsport. , one of the , is 2 miles Bar Hall/ Ballyquintin Farm, about 3 miles (5 km) to the 2. North Down Coast Island Survey and all the houses are now occupied. There is a car park, National Trust runs a number of ‘Seals and ’ trips during (3 km) off . This 17 hectare island was acquired by south-east of Portaferry. This 47 hectare farm at the southern tip public toilets and small interpretative centre at Kearney village. the summer for visitors. To book, please contact: (028) 4278 8387. Ballymacormick Point, designated as an Area of Special Look out for the National Trust in 1967 and is managed by Copeland Bird of the Ards Peninsula is managed using traditional mixed farming Visitors are welcome to walk around the village, but please A car ferry operates between Portaferry and Strangford. Contact Scientific Interest, it is located between Ballyholme Bay and • Linnets breeding in the gorse scrub. Observatory. The Copeland Islands are designated as a Special methods and was purchased by the Trust in 2000. The property is respect the privacy of residents. You are welcome to walk along Groomsport. Follow the 1.5 mile (2 km) walk (one way) along the Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive. To arrange a visit to signed from Portaferry and there is a small car park, together with (028) 4488 1637 for timetable and charges. North Down Coastal Path. This path is uneven in places and can the coast in either direction. The Trust maintains about 2 miles Orlock Point, is 1.3 miles (2 km) east of Groomsport. The Lighthouse Island, please contact Copeland Bird Observatory a 3 mile (5 km) trail. The trails follow rough tracks and country be very muddy at times. Park at Ballyholme Bay or Groomsport. (3 km) of paths along the coast, which are mostly mown grass, Look out for National Trust owns about 1 mile (1.5 km) of the coastline and www.copelandbirdobservatory.org.uk. The bird observatory lanes. Please be careful of vehicles and as there is stock on site at but can be rockier and uneven towards Knockinelder. • Carpets of bluebells in spring the adjoining farmland. Some of the farmland to the north of has accommodation for up to 23 overnight visitors. times, please avoid taking dogs into parts of the site where cattle

Look out for the A2 has recently been planted with native trees by the local • Occasional sightings of the red squirrel • Birds such as shelduck and oystercatcher. are grazing. The environmentally-friendly farming methods community and there is a short circular walk. Parking is along Look out for Look out for • Harbour porpoises in the Narrows. Manx adopted by the Trust provides valuable habitats to a range of a lay-by just off the main A2 Donaghadee Road, near to the shearwater • A breeding colony of almost • The Silurian rocks along the shore at Kearney dating back to off Groomsport contains a large seabird increasingly rare farmland wildlife. Cockle Island entrance of Portavo Reservoir. There are a couple of steep 3,000 pairs of Manx shearwater. 400-430 million years ago when they would have been at the Ballyhenry Island, 1.3miles (2 km) north of Portaferry. There colony. There is a camera on the island which beams live sections with steps and the path can be muddy in places. These small albatross-like birds bottom of a deep sea is space for parking a couple of cars. The island can be reached on pictures into the Cockle Island Seabird Centre during the Look out for feed during the day at sea and • Rare plants growing on shingle banks along the shore, including foot at low tide, although there are no formal paths. Much of the breeding season. The Seabird Centre is located in Cockle • On a clear day, fabulous views Look out for only return to their burrows at oyster plant, sea kale and yellow-horned poppy. This is the foreshore between Ballyquintin Point and Ballyhenry Island is Row Cottages in Groomsport and is a joint project of the Isle of Man and • World War II lookout and a tunnel, night to avoid predators. They most northerly site in Ireland for the yellow-horned poppy owned by the National Trust. between National Trust, British Trust for Ornithology, and which forms part of a 19th-century winter in the southern Atlantic Mountains from the World North Down Borough Council. The Seabird Centre is open • Common blue butterflies during the summer. coach road, which is reputed to have off South America and are War II lookout post and Look out for between 11am - 5pm at weekends during April and May, been used by smugglers remarkably long-lived birds, with one ringed bird known to be Bar Hall hill • The wreck of the cargo liner Empire Tana, which was used in and daily during June and July. • Eider ducks and stonechat along at least 55 years old. At the time, this was the oldest known • The Irish hare, which is the World War II Normandy landings, sticking out of the water the coast. wild bird on the planet. It would have covered over endemic to the island to the south of the island Look out for World War II 1,000,000km on migration during its life. Yellowhammer lookout of Ireland • Rare called free-floating knotted wrack in the • Sandwich, Arctic and common tern, plus black-headed • The project to re-establish Artic tern and puffin as • The yellowhammer whose stronghold in Northern Ireland is intertidal area at Ballyhenry. In Northern Ireland, it is only and common gulls. Arctic terns have the longest breeding species. migration route of any bird species on the planet, with now restricted to East Down and other bird species such as found in Strangford Lough Kearney coast birds that breed here, wintering as far south as Australia Driving route lapwing and tree sparrow • Cormorants drying their wings after feeding. The aptly named and Antarctica. Common blue butterfly • Shoreline birds, including large numbers of whimbrel stopping Car: Refer to map (2) Bird Island off Kircubbin has the largest colony of cormorants off to feed on migration from their wintering grounds in West in Northern Ireland. Bus: There are good public transport links to Bangor and Knockinelder, immediately to the west of Kearney Point. Africa to their breeding haunts in northern and Iceland ongoing bus routes to Groomsport, Orlock and The Trust manages a couple of car parks which provide access Donaghadee (Ulsterbus 3). • Offshore, large numbers of feeding seabirds can often be seen, Driving route to the lovely sandy beach. Much of the landscape around the most noticeable are plunging gannets Car: Refer to map (3) Knockinelder and Kearney is protected by a National Trust • You may spot the elusive otter - keep a look out for their Bus: There is a bus service from Newtownards to Portaferry Deed of Covenant, which preserves its traditional character. tell-tale spraints (otter droppings). (Ulsterbus 9 & 10), but all the other National Trust locations are poorly served by public transport. Look out for Common tern Cycle: Many of these National Trust sites are located along Sandwich tern • Pale-bellied brent geese and sandwich tern along the coast. Route 99 of the National Cycle Network. Orlock Mount Stewart House and Gardens, signposted from The conservation work of the Trust includes: Newtownards. The wildlife Lookout information centre is in Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula • Active protection and management of 4,000 hectares of coast Mount Stewart car park overlooking Strangford Lough. A team and countryside in and around Strangford Lough and the Ards of seasonal rangers are on hand to show visitors a variety of Peninsula, including a range of habitats such as mudflats and wildlife, together with a range of fascinating exhibits. Common foreshore, offshore islands, wetlands, meadows, hedgerows seals are an important feature of the Lough and up to 200 Lighthouse McCutcheon’s Island and woodland animals can be present with peak numbers generally occurring Field in September. The Trust monitors common and Ballymacormick Orlock Point • Control of non-native invasive species where they threaten Waders on mudflats populations on the Lough every month. Point native wildlife Big Orlock tree planting Groomsport Copeland • Conservation grazing on Trust properties through close The Lookout is open during weekends and bank holidays from working relationships with local farmers 4. Ards Peninsula North April to October, and daily during July and August (usually Bangor Caring for • The Trust administers the Strangford Lough wildfowling Ballyreagh Car Park, less than 1.5 miles (2 km) south-east of between 12pm to 5pm). Admission is free. Strangford Lough and scheme. Please be aware that there is wildfowling on the Newtownards town centre, along the A20 Portaferry Road. This A2 Lough from 1 September to 31 January. We control wildfowling small layby provides exceptional views across the extensive There is a 1 mile (1.7 km) red squirrel trail within Mount Stewart through a permit system and refuges Donaghadee Northern mudflats of Strangford Lough, which are owned and gardens on well surfaced paths. Mount Stewart and the Ards the Ards Peninsula • Monitoring and protection of wildlife sites, including Peninsula has one of the few surviving populations of red protected by the National Trust. A big threat to the mudflats and internationally important populations of breeding seabirds, squirrels in Northern Ireland. The Ards Red Squirrel Group has The National Trust formed its Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme adjoining saltmarsh is the introduced Cordgrass, more commonly wintering waterfowl and wading birds, and common seals known as Spartina. The Trust is currently controlling this highly been set up to protect this vulnerable population, as the in 1966 in response to the growing demands and pressures made

A21 • Conservation of historic landscapes, vernacular buildings and invasive plant on parts of the shore it has responsibility for. non-native invasive grey squirrels are now firmly established in by people on the natural resources of the Lough. The Trust is scheduled ancient monuments Newtownards and Donaghadee. committed to the protection of the Lough and surrounding area • Protection of foreshore from encroachments and other forms Look out for with an overall aim to help care for its wildlife, natural environment For information on opening times and admission prices to of inappropriate development • Wintering wetland birds - over 80,000 wetland birds regularly and historic interests. spend the winter across the Lough making it one of the top Mount Stewart House and Gardens contact Mount Stewart on A2 • Providing access to the public through the provision and 028 4278 8387 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart maintenance of footpaths, car parks and signage, providing twelve sites in the whole of the UK The Trust will continue to work with others to encourage • Pale-bellied brent geese are the most significant, arriving for a range of safe and non-damaging informal recreational sympathetic and sustainable uses of the Lough so that this en-masse each autumn from their breeding grounds in Arctic Look out for activities natural heritage will remain forever rich and enjoyed in so many Canada. Up to 75% of the global population can be present at • Live pictures of nesting seabirds on a nearby island, Newtownards • Working with a range of volunteers and local communities to which can be viewed in the Lookout during the breeding season ways, by this and future generations. Strangford Lough Killynether protect, manage and monitor the natural heritage of this • Breeding colonies of sandwich and common tern, for which Ballyreagh • Other bird species include large numbers of wading birds such y internationally important area the Lough is internationally important y as golden plover, dunlin, redshank, bar-tailed godwit and knot, • Providing information for visitors through the Lookout • Seals hauled up on islands, particularly at low tide North Guided walk together with waterfowl such as pintail and shelduck. Strangford Information Centre, and events such as guided walks and • Red squirrels, one of the most iconic native mammals in boat trips Northern Ireland Mount Stewart • Five of the eight species of bats found in Northern Ireland • Liaison with landowners, wildfowlers, sailors, other Lough roost around Mount Stewart buildings. You may see them Comber users, other conservation organisations, government coming out in the evenings to hunt insects. Ogilby Island y departments, and local councils. i

The Boretrees Anne’s Point Nature Reserve Ards Penninsula

Mid y Chapel Island Greyabbey Island South Island Sloe Bushes y

Brent geese Lisbane Island Reagh y Red squirrel Ballyquintin farm

What will you discover? Kircubbin y Glastry Code of Conduct

A21 Mid Lough Islands Please practice The Leave No Trace Seven Principles when visiting any y of our sites across Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. Horse Island • Plan ahead and prepare Darragh • Camp on durable surfaces – please note you are welcome to Balloo Island Strangford Lough camp on Salt Island, but please avoid camping at other sites to Common seals Summer meadow protect sensitive habitats for wildlife • Take your litter home with you and clean up after your dog

A20 • Leave what you find Greyabbey Car Park, on the southern outskirts of Greyabbey, A22 Glastry Clay Pits, 0.65 miles (1 km) south-west of A2 • Be careful with fire - please note that small camp fires are along the main A20. The Trust manages a number of sites across Saintfield Ballyhalbert on the Outer Ards Peninsula. There is a car park in allowed on Salt Island, but please do not light fires on Greyabbey Bay, including Skillen’s Wood, Mid Island, South Island the southern half of the clay pits and a short trail along mown The Dorn other sites and Chapel Island, as well as a substantial area of foreshore and grass paths. The area to the north of the road includes former Cloughey • Respect wildlife Lough bed off Greyabbey. Go enjoy! clay pits and an old landfill site, which has been capped and sown • Be considerate to other visitors. with a wild flower mix. The pits are affected by a number of Discover amazing spaces and places around Strangford Lough Look out for non-native invasive aquatic plant species and the Trust is Island Taggart and the Ards Peninsula. The diversity of landscape, the exceptional A7 • Large flocks of wintering waterfowl and wading birds undertaking a programme to control them. The whole area is wildlife and the ever changing views make it a wonderful place to • Archaeological monuments including medieval fish traps and popular with anglers. To avoid injury to waterfowl, please remove explore - for all the family. How you can help kelp grids fishing line or tackle. Please keep children under close supervision • The small team of National Trust staff who look after Killyleagh • Put your best foot forward and step out on one of the • Our series of guided walks which explore the wildlife and due to deep water within the pits. Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula rely heavily on help archaeology of this area. For further details contact the Ballyhenry Kearneyy informal walking trails. For further details of walks visit from volunteers. Please contact us if you are interested in National Trust on 028 4278 8387. Island www.nationaltrust.org.uk/strangford-lough or www.walkni.com Look out for Nugent’s Knockinelder getting involved in the work we do from wildlife monitoring to Green Island Wood y • Go rockpooling and see an underwater world full of life. Some • A variety of waterfowl throughout the year. helping out in the Lookout Information centre. Contact us at i Portaferry of the best places include Kearney, Orlock and Ballyhenry Island [email protected]. Telephone 028 4278 7769 Salt Island Driving route y • Relax and enjoy a leisurely picnic in enticing open spaces with • Please comply with The Leave No Trace Seven Principles breathtaking views Car: Refer to map (4) The Launches • Avoid disturbing the wildlife y • Look for red squirrels at Mount Stewart - one of the best Bus: All these sites are along the Newtownards to Portaferry Gibb’s Island • Please report any interesting wildlife records to us, especially places to see them in the wild bus route (Ulsterbus 9 & 10). yStrangford sightings of red or grey squirrels on the Ards Peninsula • Kayak along the Strangford Lough Canoe Trail and stay Cycle: Glastry Clay Pits are close to Route 99 of the National Granagh Contact us at [email protected] or Castle Ward overnight at the Bothy on Salt Island. For canoe trail details Cycle Network. A25 Bay telephone 028 4278 7769 Jane’s Shore Ballyquintin Farm visit www.canoeni.com To book the Bothy or to camp • Please inform us of any incidents or damage to our sites. Remains of medieval fish traps and the Quoile Little egret y overnight contact Mount Stewart on 028 4278 8387 • See the birds - stop at Ballyreagh or Greyabbey and witness Downpatrick Horse Island, 1.3 miles (2 km) south of Kircubbin. This area tens of thousands of Brent geese feeding on the mudflats of of wet grassland and saltmarsh is managed by the Trust using Strangford Lough in the autumn grazing stock, including traditional breeds of livestock. There is • Spot a seal from the Lookout at Mount Stewart and Guide to symbols a small car park off the A20 Rowreagh Road. The island can be i Wildlife Information Granagh Bay National Trust Centre • Go geocaching – finding hidden caches is a great way to accessed by foot at low tide, although there are no formal Island and mainland properties Ferry explore Strangford Lough and learn about the area. For more paths to follow. National Trust Car Park Foreshore and Lough bed details, visit: www.geocaching.com Look out for Lease of shooting rights from the Crown (1) West Shore of • Pedal power - one of the best ways to explore the area is by Strangford Lough • One of the best examples of saltmarsh on the Lough Estate Commission to the National Trust bicycle along the Strangford Lough Cycle Trail. For more (2) • Little egrets. Full controlling lease from the Crown Estate North Down Coast details, visit www.cycleni.com Commission to the National Trust (3) Ards Peninsula South (4) Ards Peninsula North Approximate Scale It’s time to get outdoors and closer to nature.

Pintail 2 miles 4 miles 6 miles Volunteers at work