(Distance 5 miles, 8 Km).

Several shorter circuits of this walk can be made. It is possible to enter through the main entrance (fee charged for cars) and start from the car park down at the back strand. A detailed booklet on all the nature trails can be purchased (in summer) at the park entrance.

One suggestion is to start at Ballymore. The fine Georgian Church of Ireland, St John's, was built in 1752. Across the road "the tunnel" was built in 1852 to allow the new mistress of Ards, Lady Isabella Stewart, to travel through her own estate away from the prying eyes of the peasants to attend Ballymore Church. It is a substantial structure sadly 'modernised' by the County Council in recent times with the remains of stables to the rear and a specially built road all the way to Ards House, 3.5 (5 Km) miles distant.

The park itself (1000 acres) was once half of the Stewart Demesne, and contains Sitka and Norway spruce, Douglas and Noble Fir, Scots and Corsican pine and larch. It is full of wildlife including red deer.

Map and route guide

ROUTE

Passing through the tunnel at Ballymore, follow the old road south, then east, then south again (about 500 yds, .5 Km, each leg) to the main forest road (tarred), and then left for about 1.25 miles (2 Km) to the car park. From here there is a maze of nature trails one can follow through the park. Return west to the main entrance and back north to Ballymore by the N56, or via the path through the tunnel. Immediately across from the tunnel, look through the field gate in the direction of the school, to find a court tomb.