Clandeboye Way - Helen's Bay to Whitespots Country Park Trail

Start : The walk starts from the car park at Helen’s Bay Railway Station. (BT19 A1TQ)

(S/E) From Helen’s Bay Railway Station, take the underpass beneath the railway line to Clandeboye Avenue (South).

(1) After 60 m, turn left (South) onto this old laneway. Keep walking until you come across a gate leading onto a metalled path.

(2) Continue along this for approximately a mile until passing under another bridge at Ballyrobert Road (B20).

(3) After this bridge you will reach the main Belfast to Bangor dual carriageway.

(4) Cross the dual carriage way and turn left. Walk for a few metres.

(5) Look for a small path on your right – this leads back onto Clandebye Avenue. After approximately 1 mile the path leaves the Avenue.

(6) Turn right (South) and continues along a farm lane to Ballysallagh Road.

(7) Cross the road straight ahead. From here the path circles round Blackwood Golf Course (curve East), eventually exiting on the Crawfordsburn Road near Ballyleidy Sawmill.

(8) Turn right (South-East) and cross the road. At the corner re enter Clandeboye Estate to your left (South-East) at the back of the Sawmill. This leads uphill to Helen’s Tower.

(9) At Helen’s Tower enjoy scenic views of the Co Down landscape on a good day. (A) 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.

(10) From here either retrace you steps back to Helen’s Bay or catch a bus on the main Bangor to Newtownards Road. (S/E)

Start : The walk starts from the car park at Helen’s Bay Railway Station. (BT19 A1TQ)

Parking : Car park at Helen’s Bay Railway Station.

Terrain : Laneways, tracks and woodland paths

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : 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.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept under close control

Note : This walk involves crossing the main Bangor to Belfast dual carriageway.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

(A) Helen’s Tower : Helen’s Tower perched high above the rolling hills of Co Down, is an enchanting three storey stone tower nestled deep in the woods of the Clandeboye Estate. Built in 1848 by Frederick Lord Dufferin in honour of his Mother, Helen’s Tower has since been immortalized by Tennyson in the poem of the same name. A romantic, gothic hideaway, located in a wild forest this fairytale tower is ideal for a dream escape. Spend your time lounging by the fireside, surrounded by a luxuriously decorated and panelled sitting room, poetry by Tennyson, Kipling and Robert Browning lining the walls. If you want to experience a truly lovely piece of history and have an unforgettable escape, then this is the ideal retreat for you.