Castle Ward Project

A View of Castle Ward from the Doric Temple, by William Ashford (1746-1824)
(Image: the National Trust, Castle Ward)

In 2017 the National Trust announced an ambitious conservation project at CASTLE WARD, Strangford, County Down, which entailed refurbishment of the Temple and restoration of historic paths and vista points.

The man-made landscape of the Temple Water area, conceived by the Wards, Viscounts Bangor, is one of the most important late 17th and early 18th century gardens to survive in the British Isles.

Richard W Wheeler, the Trust's Gardens and Parks historian, remarked:-

"Whether intentionally or not, the whole composition mirrored the work of that great influencer of 18th century landscapes, the artist Claude Lorrain, whose painting of Landscape with Apollo and the Nine Muses provides a mythological parallel for this wonderful composition at Castle Ward."

Landscape with Apollo and the Muses, by Claude Lorrain (1604-82)
Image: National Galleries of Scotland/ Scottish National Gallery

The National Trust's general manager for South Down, Jonathan Clarke, remarked in 2017,

"Over the years the design of the landscape has become obscured by self-seeded trees, poor drainage and other changes."

"As a conservation charity we are committed to protecting our special places for ever, for everyone and so we are restoring this hidden part of Castle Ward to enhance visitor enjoyment and understanding of the area."

"We anticipate the project will take three years and will include the repair of the Temple and improvements to the parkland that will open up views of both Audley’s Castle and Strangford Lough."

The lake at Castle Ward, known as Temple Water, will be central to the restoration project.

The Temple Water, Castle Ward

Features planned for restoration include the crumbling stone sides of the Temple Water which have been weakened by tree roots over the years.

The Temple will also be refurbished and the original paths will be reinstated, creating a picturesque route around the Temple with spectacular viewpoints.

Historic paths will be reinstated along Lime Tree Walk and visitors will be able to grace the reinstated historic steps on the Yew Tree Terraces.

The viewing mound and early 18th century Ward family home, the Green House, will both be revealed and interpreted.

The walled garden will be levelled and a planting design scheme started.

It will also be opened for public viewing.

The Doric Temple

Improvements will also be made to access around the Temple Water by reinstating former pathways and steps; repairing drains; creating pockets of natural biodiversity; removing some inappropriate trees; pruning others, and planting new trees in locations based on early demesne maps. 

Enhanced interpretation will also be installed to enable everyone to share in the story of the Ward family and their grand designs.

Map of 1835 showing the Green House

A team of National Trust specialists including curators, archaeologists, historic gardens advisers and interpretation designers will be available to provide advice and work together to bring the Temple Water back to the late 17th early 18th century design.

The final picture will be a grand formal and unexpected statement in the midst of rolling landscape.

First published in 2017.