Distance 8 miles (12.8km)
Classification Moderate
Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Begins Shore car park
OS grid reference J573484
Walk in a nutshell
A choice of routes around one of Northern Ireland's most beautiful estates. The 18th-century mansion is an eccentric marvel and the grounds are filled with original features such as Lady Anne's Temple.
Why it's special
Castle Ward mansion has to be seen to be believed. For reasons that remain mysterious, the building was designed as a combination of two completely different styles: gothic on one facade and Palladian on the other, with the contrast continuing indoors. If you fancy something active, Clearsky Adventure in the farmyard ) organises kayaking, archery, orienteering, climbing and laser pigeon shooting.
Keep your eyes peeled for
The mansion's opulent interior is as extraordinary as its exterior. Guided tours leave hourly from 11am, Monday to Friday. At weekends you are encouraged to wander freely round the house; you can even have a go at playing the antique baby grand piano in the main hall.
Recover afterwards
The Stableyard tearoom serves hot meals, sandwiches, tea and cakes. Otherwise you can drop into the village of Strangford where the family-run Cuan hotel serves food all day, specialising in local seafood. Or just a few miles down the road in Downpatrick you'll find many pubs, restaurants and cafes, including the Daily Grind on St Patrick's Avenue.
If it's tipping down
Your best bet is Exploris , Northern Ireland's principal aquarium in Portaferry, just across the water from Strangford. Ferries leave half-hourly during the day and the crossing takes 15 minutes.
County Down is also St Patrick country, so you might prefer a visit to the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, where an exhibition tells the story of Ireland's patron saint.
How to get there
Buses between Downpatrick and Strangford run on weekends throughout the summer, stopping at the gates of Castle Ward.
Step by step
1 Starting in the car park, take the shore trail, following the shore of Strangford Lough from the farmyard to Audley's Quay.
2 From the quay, follow the castle trail through mature deciduous woodlands until you cross Audleystown Road on to the farm trail.
3 Follow the trail through mature woodland to West Park behind the old walled garden. The trail turns right towards the boundary wall before continuing through the farmlands to reach Mallard Plantation – a mature coniferous woodland. Up to this point, this trail is multi-use, so expect horses, bikes and a range of other users.
4 The trail branches left and becomes a narrow single track for cyclists and walkers only. Follow it to Base Camp, where you cross a bridge and continue straight ahead.
5 At the main entrance to the property, cross the road and continue through the grounds of Windmill Plantation.
6 Cross Church Walk with a view of Castle Ward house to the left, then continue across the deer park to Strangford Avenue and the shore car park.
