Ballyquintin Farm, Port Kelly Trail

A grassland walk situated at the very tip of the Ards Peninsula at the mouth of Strangford Lough. This walk passes through farmland, rocky shore and beach owned and managed by the National Trust and National Nature Reserve owned and managed by the Environment and Heritage Service.

Take in views across Strangford Lough to Killard Point and across the Irish sea to The Isle of Man on a clear day. The rich coastal grassland here includes some sensitive and rare flowers including orchids and wild – dwarfed Burnett rose.

Bird Watchers: Look out for the bird species include skylarks, linnets, peregrine falcons, buzzards, kestrals and Brent geese.

County

Down

Distance

0.9 miles

OS Map

Sheet 21

Nearest Town

Portaferry

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Coastal

Terrain

Off road paths, quiet rural road

Grid Reference (Start)

J623465

Grid Reference (End)

J623465

Point of Interest

Port Kelly, Bar Hall Bay, Coastal views and wildlife

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Strangford Lough

Route Description

From the car park, set off down the hill, following the signs to Port Kelly. Crossing through the stile on your left follow the path through the field to the next stile. Here turn right and follow the trail down to the shore.

After exploring Port Kelly for a while, retrace your steps for a short distance and carry on past the previous stile following the signs in the direction of Bar Hall Bay.

This will eventually lead you down a grassy lane and through a field and two more stiles before coming out onto the shore at Bar Hall Bay. Turn right and follow this path northwards along the shore looking out for seals basking on the rocks as you go. When reaching the road, turn right. Taking the first turning on your right follow the access road along which you arrived back to the car park.

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

Take the coastal road south of Portaferry. After about 5km National Trust signage directs to Ballyquintin Farm and Nature Reserve on the right.

Facilities

Car park. The nearby towns of Portaferry and Strangford have several popular pubs, restaurants and cafes.

The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility:

– Disabled parking

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