Spring Strolls

By Jill Montgomery, Access & Recreation Officer, The National Trust

The National Trust in Northern Ireland looks after 120 miles of coastline and over 40 square miles of scenic countryside, which can be explored on foot in every season. Below are a few hidden gems selected for you to get ready for the spring season!

Co Armagh

1. Derrymore & Ballymoyer Woodland
   The 50 acres of parkland at Derrymore is an ideal stopping place on a drive between Belfast and Dublin. Together with Derrymore House, a romantic Irish cottage, it makes for a dreamy experience. The woods and great oaks are home to the rare Red Squirrel. Only 4 miles away Ballymoyer is a remote, wooded, fairy glen surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Fews mountains.

Co Down

2. Rowallane Woodland Walk & Farmland Trail
   Situated in the drumlin landscape of Co Down near Saintfield, the rugged landscape of Rowallane Garden has endless nooks to explore and the Woodland Walk takes you into the tranquil, wooded garden perimeter. The Farmland Trail leads you up to the summit of Trio Hill with fabulous views across to the Mourne Mountains.
3. Ballymacormick & Orlock
   At the east end of Ballyholme Bay is the narrow track through Ballymacormick Point, the gorse scrub, shingle beaches and coves of which offer a wilder area. Both Atlantic Grey and Common Seals can be seen. The final section of the Coastal Path at Orlock is peaceful and worth the effort.
4. Kearney & Ballyquintin Farm
   A traditional fishing village of 14 cottages, Kearney is right at the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula. Farmland rolls down to the sea, giving way to little bays of shingle and ridges of rock. A super coastal walk with views over the Irish Sea stretches towards Cloughey in one direction and to the sandy beach and saltmarshes of Knockinelder in the other.

Co Fermanagh

5. Castle Coole Beech Wood Walk
   On the Eastern fringe of Enniskillen lies Castle Coole set in a 1,200 acre wooded estate. The Beech Wood offers a serene walk through ancient oak trees with fine views eastwards toward Topped Mountain. In 2009, The National Trust plans to open a circular trail around Lough Coole with its reedbeds ideal for breeding waders.

Co Tyrone

6. Ardress House, The Ladies Mile
   The first impression of Ardress is through rows of old-fashioned, mature apple trees. ‘The Ladies’ Mile’ walk is heavenly as it leads the walker in a tranquil arc through old oak, beech and pine with some elm and wild cherry. Traces of badgers can be spotted and there are plenty of grey squirrels. The walk emerges at the pink-washed gables of Ardress House and its pretty little formal rose garden.

Belfast

7. Cregagh Glen & Lisnabreeny
   An easily overlooked trail in the heart of Belfast climbs along a tumbling stream up through a secret wooded glen, emerging at the top of the Castlereagh hills to magnificent views across the city. On a clear day, Belfast Lough, the Mournes and Strangford Lough are visible.
8. Portmuck
   Amble along the coastal path at Portmuck on the Island Magee peninsula for a real treat. This strip of coastal grassland is an Area of Special Scientific Interest that offers spectacular views out across the Atlantic Ocean. Look out for kittiwakes and razorbills as well as puffins, otters and seals offshore.

North Coast

9. Portstewart Strand Sand Dune and Estuary Trail
   Look out for the waymarked trail at the top of the sand ladder that meanders through 6,000 year old dunes to the river edge at the Bann Estuary. It’s a different world – the serenity of the estuary habitats for shelducks and other waders, a wonderful contrast to the wind and waves of the open beach. Stunning vistas of the Barmouth open up, with the headlands of Donegal in the background and Mussenden Temple to the west.

Please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for information on other National Trust properties.