Strangford has been a local favourite with family and friends for many years. Seal Cabin provides the opportunity to unplug from the internet and distractions of television in this secluded spot on the outskirts of Strangford village. The cabin would be described as a bijou seaside bedsit retreat which can sleep up to 4 people. Its open plan living gives views from every room of Strangford Lough a
nd out to the Irish Sea. The cabin has 1 double bed, living space with comfortable sofa bed and cast iron gas stove, compact dining table and chairs, kitchenette and shower room. The kitchenette is small but functional with a refrigerator, counter top oven, portable ceramic hob, sink, toaster, kettle and appropriate kitchenware. For guests who don’t want to miss their favourite television shows we have a television with built in dvd player. There is also a retro radio with docking station for ipods or iphones. Although the space is bijou it has all the home comforts our guests will need for a relaxing stay. We also have bicycles which our guests can avail of for a small fee, they do so at their own risk and will be required to sign a disclaimer to that effect if they wish to use the bicycles. What’s provided by the hosts? There are basic items stored in the cabin for guest use such as bed linen and towels, crockery, utensils, glasses and cooking pots etc. At Seal Cabin we know what it’s like to arrive late afternoon or evening at accommodation and can’t make a cuppa so with this in mind we provide a great selection of teas, coffee, milk and sugar for our guests. Along with individual cereal boxes, free range eggs locally sourced jams and tea/coffee biscuits for our guests use all supplied in a Welcome Pack. We hope this helps our guests settle into Sean Cabin without having to rush to a shop and in return we have a Honesty box which we hope you’ll donate something towards this cost. The cabin is separate from the main house and located off to the side of the front garden. There is a private entrance as well as on-site parking. There is a patio with outdoor furniture outside the cabin which guests are free to use and enjoy whilst bearing in mind our neighbours so please be mindful of raised voices after 9.00pm please. Location
Seal Cabin is located on the Shore Road, just 1.5 miles outside of Strangford village made famous in recent years as one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. The cabin has clear views of Strangford Lough including non operational lighthouses and out to the coast of the Irish Sea, with views to the Isle of Man on a clear day. The Mourne Mountains nestle to the back of the property. Strangford village is approximately (3 minute) drive, (20 minute) walk or (10 minute) cycle away with local amenities. The village has 2 small shops; a newsagent’s; a pharmacy, post office and 3 restaurants / bistro, i.e. The Pantry, The Cuan and Lobster Pot. The Cuan, Lobster Pot and local “Hole in the Wall” are all licensed bars, some offer Saturday evening entertainment from local artists strumming a tune on their guitars. On your Door Step
Walk to the bottom of the lane, approximately 100 yards to a cobble stoned beach were you can see the common and grey seals on Seal Island or partake in some bird watching at Cloghy Rocks Natural Nature Reserve. What you can see during June to August
• Nesting terns, gulls, cormorants and waders
• Common seals pupping
• Nesting little egret
• Common spotted orchid at Gibbs Island
• Nesting Manx shearwater and Arctic terns on Lighthouse Island
• Common blue butterfly at Kearney
• Yellow-horned poppy flowering at Kearney
Birds
• The mild winter climate, sheltered shores and rich feeding all combine to make Strangford Lough the perfect over wintering location for more than 70,000 seabirds that migrate here from northern latitudes. These include over 75% of the entire population of Light Bellied Brent Geese that make the journey from Arctic Canada. Marine life
• There are over 2000 different types of marine creatures living within Strangford Lough. If you venture down to the shore at low tide, you will be amazed at the diversity of life you can discover lurking within the rock pools. Some of the best shorelines to explore include Ballyhenry Island and Kearney Village. Marine mammals
• Both Common and Grey Seals can be seen here all year round. The best places to spot them are at Cloghy Rocks and Granagh Bay; on either side of the entrance to the lough. Other marine mammals to keep an eye out for are porpoises and otters. Earlier in the year, a humpback whale swam through the Narrows. Strangford Sea Safari www.outdoorni.com/events/34158/strangford-sea-safari
Cloghy Rocks Nature Reserve www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/protected areas home/nature resintro/nature reserves cloghy.htm
Kilclief Castle www.discovernorthernireland.com/Kilclief-Castle-Strangford-Downpatrick-P3071
Nature walks www.walkni.com/walks/0/lecale-way
Castle Ward, National Trust House
Castle Ward is approximately 1.4 miles (3 minutes) by car from Strangford village and is a unique 18th-century mansion set on 820 acres, famed for its mixture of architectural styles with the gothic and classical collide, the mansion rests on a rolling hillside and looks out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down. You can walk or cycle along the Lough trail or through woodlands, spot butterflies, rabbits, ducks and swans. You can canoe on the Lough from Castle Ward, climb and abseil the cliffs and build a raft with Clearsky Adventure www.clearsky-adventure.com
Alternatively step into a fantasy world of castles and dragons as you explore the Georgian farmyard and the Lough shore, film locations for the smash hit television series Game of Thrones. Finish the day off with a treat from the tearoom or browse the gift shop and second hand bookshop at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward/visitor-information
Castle Ward is also famous as a film location for Winterfell in the hit television series Game of Thrones www.discovernorthernireland.com/gameofthrones . This is where King Robert Baratheon and his men arrive met by the Starks in Season 1. Lots of drama also unfolds in Audley’s Field and Castle by Strangford Lough, visit to explore Robb’s trail – self guided cycling tours provided by Clearsky Adventure Centre in the Castle Ward Estate. The Quoile River is also a historic site, used as the location of the Twins in the Riverlands www.discovernorthernireland.com/Quoile-Countryside-Centre-Downpatrick-P2892
Points of Interest
Alternatively take a drive 1 mile (3 minutes), walk (20 minutes) or cycle (10 minutes) up the shore road to Kilclief beach/cove and Kilclief Castle. You can travel a further 2.9 miles by car (9 minutes), walk (45 minutes) or cycle (30 minutes) to Ballyhornan beach, a beautiful stretch of beach for long lazy afternoon walks. Ballyhornan beach also gives views across to Gun Island which measures approximately 60 acres. Drive 7.1 miles further up the coast road to Arglass (14 minutes). Coneyisland is only 8.5 miles (18 minutes) from Seal Cabin, which is well known from Van Morrison’s song “Coneyisland” and was the location for the 2011 Oscar winning film “The Shore” www.discovernorthernireland.com/Ardglass-Ardglass-Downpatrick-P14134
Killough is another example of a lazy village 9.9 miles (22 minutes) by car with local shops, amenities including Castillo restaurant serving daily specials in an eclectic atmosphere www.castillocafe.co.uk/killough
Driving inland you can also visit Downpatrick home to St Patricks grave and St Patricks Cathedral is 10.1 miles away (19 minutes) by car. Downpatrick is the main local shopping town with shops, cafes/restaurants and bars. It has a St Patrick’s tourist centre, Downpatrick Steam Railway, Down Museum, Gallows Hill, Struell Wells and St Patrick’s Monument but to name a few www.discovernorthernireland.com/stpatrick/Saint-Patrick-Trail-Key-Sites-A2502 and www.discovernorthernireland.com/Downpatrick-Visitor-Information-Centre-Downpatrick-P6894
Newcastle is a local seaside town only 22.5 miles (43 minutes) by car with a lovely promenade looking out towards the Mourne Moutains www.touristnetuk.com/northern-ireland/down
Newcastle is also home to Tollymore Forest Park www.discovernorthernireland.com/Tollymore-Forest-Park-Newcastle-P2888
