Whytes Estate Historic Trail, Loughbrickland
Enjoy a quiet stroll through woodland and country lane within the historic Whyte Estate. This small County Down estate is located at the northern end of Scarva Street in the attractive village of Loughbrickland and has been the home of the Whyte family since the 18th century. The owner, Dr. Jean Whyte, has kindly permitted permissive access on foot along way marked trails developed by Banbridge District Council within in the estate. The walk offers an interesting and diverse mix of woodland, open farm and parkland with two scheduled historic monuments, and traces of the estate's use as an army base during World War II (1939-45) to be found along the route.
The woodland trail of just under 1 mile was extended with the opening of the Boundary Trail (1.25 mile) in 2008 giving new public access to a small raised rath, known as 'Johnston's Fort' and taking the walker along a tree lined old ride which had previously fallen into disuse. The ride gives a lovely perspective on the parkland and fields of the estate and picturesque views of the village from near Johnston's Fort. This route forms part of the Loughbrickland Historic Trail a partnership project with the Loughbrickland and District Community Association.
| County | Distance | OS Map |
| Down | 2.5 miles | Sheet 20 |
| Nearest Town | Route Shape | RouteType |
| Loughbrickland | Circular | Parkland & Grassland, Woodland |
| Terrain | Grid Reference (Start) | Grid Reference (Finish) |
| Woodland trail & green lane | J104425 | J104425 |
| Point of Interest | Coolnacran Fort and Johnston's Fort. Bluebells in spring along the woodland trail. |
| Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Other Area |
| Route Description | This walk is located within a privately owned estate. Public access is welcome but along the way marked trails and on foot only. Please stay on the designated route. Walk along the avenue for a short distance passing the gate lodge on the right and look out for a wooden fingerpost marking the start of walk to the right of the avenue, just beyond the gate lodge. This section of the route runs parallel to the Old Newry Road. The walk travels through a woodland strip with glimpses of the parkland to the left. The surface can be uneven, look out for the sections of concrete - vestiges of an army training camp of up to 2000 troops which was based here during World War II You may see large, black targets along the woodland trail. Ballyvally Archery Club use the wood as its outdoor training range and hold competitions here at various times during the year. On competition days the woodland walk will be closed. The Archery Club post notices at the entrance. At the junction of the path - ignore the entrance to the Boundary Trail for now and follow the Woodland Trail up the hill, through the ash plantation, and climb 2 sets of steps to Coolnacran Fort, a scheduled historic monument. Just beyond the steps you will be passing the original entrance to this ringfort or rath on the eastern downhill side of a drumlin. The current entrance to the fort is further along, near the interpretative board. With its peaceful location surrounded by trees Coolnacran Fort has an almost mystical feel. The interpretative board features an artistic impression of how the fort might have looked soon after its construction. Take time to explore the interior of the fort before following the yellow way mark posts out of the wood to an avenue and turn left and walk towards a set of gates. Go through the gate, closing it behind you and turn right onto the back avenue, away from the house and gardens which are strictly private. You may see grey squirrels scampering from tree to tree here and hear the call of the rooks in spring. To the left of the avenue is a large rookery with reportedly 285 active nests. Walk towards the Coolnacran Road gates at the back entrance to the estate (absolutely no parking or access to cars). There is a choice of routes here with the turn to the left (way marked yellow) completing the Woodland Trail and leading back to the Scarva Street entrance. The path to the right is the Boundary Trail and follows an old ride that runs around the perimeter of the estate. The wide, tree lined lane that forms the Boundary Trail is an old 'ride' - a path made specially for use by the owners of the house and their guests for riding and exercising horses. Over the years this fell into disuse and much of it was impassable. In 2008, with the kind agreement of the owner of the estate, Banbridge District Council with assistance from Heritage Lottery funding and assistance with ground works from Probation Service for NI brought the ride back into use as the 'Boundary Trail' walk. This section of the trail follows a rough country lane terrain and the surface can be uneven, wet and muddy with rough crossing places, steps and gates. As you approach ’Johnston’s Fort,’ the second scheduled historic monument along the trail, you will see the 'Boundary Trail' interpretative board to the right. Johnston's Fort, a raised rath, with its elevated position, affords views down to Loughbrickland village and across the fields to the much larger Coolnacran Fort to the south west. This marks the mid-way point of the Boundary Trail. Steps have to be climbed to enter and leave the fort. On leaving Johnston's Fort the trail drops down to run parallel with the Old Newry Road. As the trail re-enters the woodland stay on the upper path and look out for the veteran oak on the left estimated from its girth to be about 350 years old. On rejoining the Woodland Trail retrace your steps to Coolnacran Fort and follow the way markers to the back gates of the estate. Take the Woodland Trail to the left and follow the way marked path to return to the starting point. No bicycles, motor vehicles, or horse riding is permitted. Strictly no access to the house, outbuildings or gardens. Dogs on leads please, do not let dogs roam in adjacent agricultural fields. Please clean up after your dog. Please bring your litter home. No parking in the estate – do not block access avenues. Open at all times except during archery competitions. See below for details of 2010 closures. April: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June: Sunday 6th June July: Saturday 24th July & Sunday 25th October: Sunday 3rd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th |
| Getting to the Start | The walk starts at the entrance to the Whyte Estate (Loughrickland House) at the junction of Scarva Street and the Old Newry Road, Loughbrickland. Please park with due care and consideration along Scarva Street - no parking within the estate. Walk through the gates onto the avenue and stop and look for the interpretative board on the left with a map of the route (or see publication below). The walk actually starts to the right of the avenue just past the replacement gate lodge built by the owner of the estate in 2008. You will see a wooden fingerpost here indicating the start of the walk. |
| Facilities | Basic toilets in Loughbrickland Park, off the Poyntzpass Road in the village, approx. 0.25 mile from start of walk. Shops, garage, pub and cafe in village. The F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, 200 Newry Road, Banbridge is located approximately 1.5 mile away. Take the A1 from Loughbrickland in the direction of Banbridge leave the A1 at the first turn off for Banbridge and follow the signage. The Centre is located next to the A1. Banbridge Tourist Information Centre is located here also. Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm Sunday 1.00pm-5.00pm |
| Accessible Toilet Facilities | No |
| Accessible Terrain | Woodland path and country lane – mostly unsurfaced. Uneven and some very rough surfaces and natural terrain which can be muddy. Numerous 'Kissing' gates and rambler stiles along route. Steps at various points along route including flight of steps leading to Johnston’s Fort. Incline towards Coolnacran Fort and Johnston's Fort. |
| Accessible Signage | Interpretative board near start of walk with map. Waymarked trail. |
| Publication | See pdf 'Walk in the Whyte Estate' |
| Publication Availability | Full trail guide available at various outlets in the village, including the Centra Store. Also available from Banbridge TIC t. 028 4062 3322 and online at www.banbridge.gov.uk. Or from the Countryside Officer, Banbridge District Council t.028 4066 0617. |
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