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Castle Ward
No visit to Strangford Lough is complete without a trip to Castle Ward.
The beauty of the location justifies a visit in itself, but Castle Ward is one of the island’s most intriguing architectural structures with a compelling story behind it. Stand in front of the 18th century mansion and you’ll be looking at a grand Palladian façade, with its classical features and columns. But walk around the back and there’s a very different style at play – Gothic. One house – two very different influences. The reason? Marital differences… Bernard and Lady Anne, who inherited the estate in 1759, had markedly different tastes and set out to incorporate them into the one house in a bold and unconventional move.
Inside, the couple made the building their own with crests, coronets and monograms throughout. But the competing tastes are on display here, too, with classical-style rooms at the front and Gothic rooms to the rear. A guided tour is one of the best ways to explore the house before heading to the grounds to commune with nature. Prepare to take your time – the estate is filled with beautiful walking trails, a sunken garden and number of filming locations from the HBO series Game of Thrones®. Like the sound of that? Then head to Winterfell Tours in the courtyard of the castle for some more Westeros-inspired fun. It’s the perfect place to create your own fantasy!
Castle Ward, County Down
Need to know
Castle Ward boasts a gift shop, a second-hand bookshop and a tea room on the estate.
Guided tours are available every hour on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The last tour is at 3pm. Self-guided tours can be enjoyed on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
There are a variety of supports available for people with additional needs including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, sensory backpacks and advice.
