Castle Ward Farm Trail
This trail leads along the shores of Strangford Lough and then winds through the woodlands surrounding Audleys Castle. The trail then leads through farmland before a narrow trail leads back to the car park.
This trail leads through fields where there may be livestock.
Follow the ORANGE waymarker disks with the words ‘Farm Trail’ around the edge.
County Down
Distance 2.4 miles
OS Map 21
Terrain Level paths & road crossing
Nearest Town Strangford
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J575497
Route Type Coastal, Parkland & Grassland, Woodland
Starting in the Shore Car Park, this circular trail leads along the shore of Strangford Lough and then around Audley’s Castle through the surrounding woodland.
After crossing the Audleystown Road (look out for vehicles coming in both directions), the trail leads firstly through some woodland and then some open fields. After passing the back of the old walled garden with its high red brick wall, keep left and follow the trail through a short singletrack section through woodland.
The trail then leads along an old farm track, before turning left downhill and through an underpass. Turn left onto the final descent through the dense laurel.
Turn right to reach the Shore Car Park.
Expect other users on the trails – cyclists on the singletrack sections and horses and cyclists on the wider multi use sections.
This trail has an even surface throughout and is narrow in places, with some steeper gradients and numerous gates to open and close.
Please ensure all gates are closed after passing through. Many of these enclose livestock.
Users MUST follow the direction of travel as indicated by the waymarkers – this will enable you to see oncoming users, especially horses (where trails are multi use).
Please note there is a 100m diversion along this trail between March and November due to cattle in the field. Signage is in place.
* Please note that National Trust entrance pricing applies for this walk. *
Strangford Lough, Seals, Castle Ward Farm Yard, Audley’s Castle, Old Walled Garden, Standing Stone
Parking for walkers is in the Shore Car Park within Castle Ward Demesne. The car park is clearly signed from the main entrance drive. There is an information panel and map in the Shore Car Park.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Keep dogs on a lead or under control at all times
Car park, toilets, tea room, gift shop, bike hire. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – Disabled parking – Disabled toilets.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Castle Ward Farm Trail
we walked this farm trail today with out dog we done it twice once before our picnic lunch and once after our coffee and scone from coffee shop and look around the house we all had such a lovely day at castle ward my favourite place to walk and relax well worth a visit