Clandeboye Way- Helen's Bay to Whitespots Country Park
The Clandeboye Way is a great off road walk through a variety of landscapes with lots to see along the way. Of historical interest is Helen’s Tower and the old Leadmines at Whitespots Country Park. The path leads through old laneways, some farm tracks and woodland paths.
Please note – this walk involves crossing the main Bangor to Belfast dual carriageway.
County
Down
Distance
8 miles
OS Map
Sheet 15
Nearest Town
HELENS BAY NEAR CRAWFORDSBURN
Route Shape
Linear
Route Type
Woodland
Terrain
Laneways, tracks, woodland paths
Grid Reference (Start)
J457 821
Grid Reference (End)
J498 764
Point of Interest
Clandeboye Estate, Helens Tower, Leadmines
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Other Area
Route Description
The walk starts from Helen’s Bay Railway Station. Take the underpass beneath the railway line to Clandeboye Avenue. Turn left onto this old laneway. Keep walking until you come across a gate leading onto a metalled path.
Continue along this for approximately a mile until passing under another bridge at Ballyrobert Road. After this bridge you will reach the main Belfast to Bangor dual carriageway.
Cross the dual carriage way and turn left, walk for a few metres and look for a small path on your right – this leads back onto Clandebye Avenue.
After approximately 1 mile the path leaves the Avenue and continues along a farm lane to Ballysallagh Road.
From here the path circles round Blackwood Golf Course eventually exiting on the Crawfordsburn Road near Ballyleidy Sawmill.
Turn right and cross the road. At the corner re enter Clandeboye Estate to your left at the back of the Sawmill. This leads uphill to Helen’s Tower for scenic views of the Co Down landscape on a good day.
From here the walk continues for another 10-15 minutes to an old metal stile. This leads into Whitespots Country Park. Continuing through the park past the leadmines will eventually lead to the Somme Heritage Centre and a large car park. This is the end of the walk.
From here either retrace you steps back to Helen’s Bay or catch a bus on the main Bangor to Newtownards Road.
Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Getting to the Start (on Foot)
The walk starts from the car park at Helen’s Bay Railway Station. Take the underpass beneath the railway line to start in Clandeboye Avenue.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed.
Facilities
There is a car park at the start and finish although parking is limited at the railway station in Helens Bay. Toilets and refreshements can only be found at the start and finish of the walk in Helen’s Bay and in the Somme Heritage Centre (beside Whitespots Country Park). The Somme Centre has limited opening hours so it is worth phoning beforehand – 028 9182 3202
The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility:
– Disabled toilets – At Helen’s Bay Car Park
– Disabled parking
Publication
Dogs are allowed. Dogs must be kept under close control
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Walk Location
