Strangford Lough

#3492 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Marine reserve, Nature, Natural attraction

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Facts and practical information

Strangford Lough is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, in the east of Northern Ireland. It is the largest inlet in Ireland and the British Isles, covering 150 km². The lough is almost fully enclosed by the Ards Peninsula and is linked to the Irish Sea by a long narrow channel at its southeastern edge. The main body of the lough has at least seventy islands along with many islets, bays, coves, headlands and mudflats. Historically it was called 'Lough Coan', while 'Strangford' referred to the narrow sea channel. It is part of the 'Strangford and Lecale' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Strangford Lough was designated as Northern Ireland's first Marine Conservation Zone in 2013, and has also been designated a Special Area of Conservation for its important wildlife. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 54°28'59"N, 5°34'59"W

Location

Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Strangford Lough – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Mount Stewart, Nendrum Monastic Site, Sketrick Castle, Killyleagh Castle.

5.1 miN
1800s mansion with elaborate gardens
Mount Stewart, Newtownards
130 min walk • Mount Stewart is a 19th-century house and garden in County Down, Northern Ireland, owned by the National Trust. Situated on the east shore of Strangford Lough, a few miles outside the town of Newtownards and near Greyabbey, it was the Irish seat of the Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry.
2.8 miW
Ruins, History museum, View point
Nendrum Monastic Site, Comber
72 min walk • Nendrum Monastery was a Christian monastery on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland. Medieval records say it was founded in the 5th century, but this is uncertain.
2.6 miW
Forts and castles
Sketrick Castle
68 min walk • Sketrick Castle is a castle situated on Sketrick Island near Whiterock, County Down, Northern Ireland. The castle is estimated to date back to the 12th century.
6.3 miSW
Forts and castles
Killyleagh Castle, Killyleagh
160 min walk • Killyleagh Castle is a castle in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. It dominates the small village and is believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in the country, with parts dating back to 1180.
3.8 miN
Sacred and religious sites, Historic walking areas, Monastery
Grey Abbey, Portaferry
97 min walk • Grey Abbey is a ruined Cistercian priory in the village of Greyabbey, County Down, Northern Ireland, currently maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
2.8 miNW
Archaeological site
Nendrum Monastery mill
72 min walk • The Nendrum Monastery mill was a tide mill on an Mahee Island in Strangford Lough now in Northern Ireland. It is the earliest excavated tide mill, dating from 787 AD.
2.9 miNW
Forts and castles
Mahee Castle
74 min walk • Mahee Castle, also known as Nendrum Castle, is a small ruined tower house near Nendrum Monastery on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was built in 1570 by Captain Thomas Browne. It was abandoned by the early 17th century, and fell into disrepair. In 1923, H.C.
5.5 miSE
Forts and castles
Kirkistown Castle
140 min walk • Kirkistown Castle is a castle situated near Cloghy, County Down, Northern Ireland. The tower house and bawn is a state care historic monument in the townland of Kirkistown, in Ards and North Down Borough, at grid ref: J6450 5800.
3.7 miN
Village
Greyabbey
94 min walk • Greyabbey or Grey Abbey is a small village, townland and civil parish located on the eastern shores of Strangford Lough, on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 7 miles south of Newtownards.
4.9 miE
Sport, Sport venue
Kirkistown Circuit
126 min walk • Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit is a permanent motorsport circuit located between the villages of Kirkistown and Portavogie, on the Ards Peninsula of County Down in Northern Ireland.