Banbridge Riverside Walk and Solitude Park
Nearly everyone is familiar with the song "The Star of the County Down" which is closely associated with the town of Banbridge and goes:
"Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning in July
down a boreen green came a sweet colleen,
and she smiled as she passed me by."
The River Bann rises in the Mountains of Mourne and flows through the town on its journey to Lough Neagh. The river has been integral to the historic wealth of the district and the thriving town of Banbridge in particular.
A
Banbridge walk
posted on 25/01/23 by Walk NI. Last update : 10/02/23
Description
Start : Solitude Park, 48 Rathfriland Rd, Banbridge (BT32 3LA)
(S/E) Begin your walk either in the town centre, at the Rathfriland Street (B10) entrance to Solitude Park. (A)
You could either just do a circular walk around the park or could make your way towards the Bridge Street exit/entrance of the park by whichever way you choose to extend your walk along the Banbridge Riverside Walk.
(1) Any way you chose, cross Bridge street (A26) at the crossing and walk towards the Imperial Inn on Bridge Street. Take the sunken path alongside to Downshire Place (following the line of the old railway which ran out of what is now the park and under Bridge Street to emerge here.)
Turn right (North-East) walk downhill adjacent to the grounds of the Civic Building. You can visit the memorial to a native of the town, Joseph Scriven (1819-1886), writer of the world famous hymn 'What a Friend we Have in Jesus' in the grounds. Continue to the junction with Downshire Road.
(2) Taking left , you will see the Leisure Centre on the right, opposite the Civic Building (the Council offices).
To avoid steps you can finish your walk at the small open space at Huntly Play Park returning to your starting point (approx. 0.88 mile/1.41 km return from leisure centre).
To do a circular walk turn right down the Dunbar Road (a no-through road) towards Banbridge Leisure Centre and as you reach the Upper Bann river, take the path left and continue to the end of the riverside walk at 10 steep steps leading to the Dunbar Road and Dunbar Bridge (around 1 Km).
(3) Cross right over Dunbar Bridge (there is a short set of sets leading onto the bridge), named after one of the area's linen barons - cross over the line of the former railway - there once was a level crossing here where the line crossed over the river into Huntly Wood, now a conservation and amenity area managed by the Council.
Continue along Kiln Loanin' towards Havelock Park. Excercise care along this unadopted road as it used for access by lorries and cars. The surface can be uneven so exercise caution.
(4) Kiln Loanin' runs past Havelock Park and you could take in a circuit along the pleasant, tree lined walk around the perimeter of the park (approx. 0.58 mile) and then retrace your steps to your starting point or continue to the Lurgan Road (A26).
If you continue to the Lurgan Road, turning right (South-East) towards the town (gives a walk of approx. 1.64 miles return from Banbridge Leisure Centre - excl. the Havelock circuit).
As you enter the town from Church Square you will pass Seapatrick Parish Church and the striking monument to Captain Crozier (1776 - 1884) who bravely voyaged in artic seas and lost his life in search of the North West Passage.
(5) Cross over the Water Bridge taking the road over the River Bann from which the town was named. Then turn right into the Downshire Road to return to the waypoint (2) then left following your steps back to the starting point. (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 60 m - Solitude Park
- 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 59 m - Bridge Street
- 2 : km 0.78 - alt. 57 m - T-Junction Downshire Place and Downshire Road
- 3 : km 1.94 - alt. 55 m - Dunbar Bridge
- 4 : km 2.19 - alt. 61 m - Havelock Park
- 5 : km 4.55 - alt. 55 m - Water Bridge - River Bann
- S/E : km 5.46 - alt. 60 m - Solitude Park
Useful Information
Start : Solitude Park, 48 Rathfriland Rd, Banbridge (BT32 3LA)
Terrain : Mixed foothpath and road
Public Transport : Translink
Facilities : Car parking and toilets at Solitude Park and Banbridge Leisure Centre. Cafe at Banbridge Leisure Centre and shops and cafes in the town.
Dog Policy : Dogs should be under control at all times
Alternative Ways : The suggested walk contains a number of variations. You can simply saunter in Solitude Park with its themed short walks and riverside location. Or you can extend your walk by following the riverside path from the nearby Banbridge Leisure Centre to the Dunbar Road. Here you have the option of extending the off-road section of the walk by following a tree lined perimeter walk at Havelock Park Athletic Grounds. From here you could return to your starting point or extend your walk via the Lurgan Road back into the town which creates a circular walk. The route includes part of the Banbridge Highway to Health Walk.
Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
(A) Solitude Park : It takes in around 10 acres in a central riverside location in the town. As well as tranquil open space with beautiful mature trees it offers short circular walks, a playpark, event space, canoe steps, benches, picnic tables, toilets and public art. The art pieces in the park are themed around the former land use of railway and linen production. A huge, steel sculpture of a flax flower makes a striking statement near the river. There are access points to the park off Bridge Street, Rathfriland Street and the Castlewellan Road.
(B) Downshire Bridge and the Market House : The latter underwent substantial refurbishment/restoration in 2012. This now houses the Tourist Information Centre. The building is known locally as the 'Old Town Hall' and is located beside the 'The Cut' running under the Downshire Bridge. This was an early underpass constructed in 1834 to create a gentler gradient for the horses that pulled the mail coaches.
