Nugent’s Wood
Once part of the Nugent’s Estate and now managed by The National Trust, this gentle walk is through a mature wood of mixed broad leaved trees. Visitors will enjoy spectacular views across the Strangford Narrows, towards Audleys Castle and Castleward. Nugent’s Wood is home to Red Squirrels, badgers and has an impressive display of spring flowers such as bluebells, stitchwort and honey suckle.

County Down
Distance 0.9 miles
OS Map OSNI Sheet 21, Strangford Lough.
Terrain Grassy Tracks, moderate incline
Nearest Town Portaferry
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference J592510
Route Type Woodland
Pass through the kissing gate and follow the grassy path parallel to the shore and through the trees. A short loop at the far end rejoins the main path to retrace your steps back to the car park.
Views of Strangford Lough, Red Squirels and spring flowers.
A public car park is situated beside the Exploris Aquarium. From here, walk towards the seafront and turn right. The entrance to Nugent’s Wood is behind the stone wall at the end of the row of houses.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Public toilets at the carpark. There are several popular cafes, restaurants and pubs in Portaferry.
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
Nugent’s Wood
If you are in Portaferry, take 20 minutes to dander up this way and get away from it all. If you are going in winter, take into account it can get a bit muddy though.
This is a beautiful walk. Especially if you have small
Children. The mythical sculptures scattered across the route are enchanting and the scenery is breath taking looking out over Strangford Lough & with Portaferry in the background & the ferry sailing. All in all this is a top class walk & I highly recommend a trip to Morellis Ice cream parlour afterwards in Portaferry which will top off a unique & suburb experience. A must
I really enjoyed this walk the views are beautiful and even though it is December there’s lots of wildlife about. I loved seeing the little wooden sculptures..
Wonderful little walk.