Enjoy a quiet stroll through woodland and country lane within the historic Whyte Estate. This small, privately owned County Down estate is located at the northern end of Scarva Street, approx. ½ a mile from the centre of Loughbrickland village. The estate has been the home of the Whyte family since the 18th century. Although relatively short, this walk offers a really interesting and diverse mix of woodland, a tree lined trail with views across open farmland and parkland, two scheduled ancient monuments and traces of the estate’s use as an army base during World War II (1939-45).  It provides the feel and appeal of a rural country walk with the benefits of a village centre less than ½ a mile from the start of the walk.

The owner, Dr. Jean Whyte, has kindly permitted permissive access on foot along way marked trails developed by Banbridge District Council within the estate. The Woodland Trail, developed c. 2001 (0.9 mile) was extended with the opening of the Boundary Trail (1.25 mile) in 2008 which gives new public access to a small raised fort, known as Johnston’s Fort and takes the walker along a tree lined route offering picturesque views over the surrounding countryside. 

The walk is part of the longer Loughbrickland Historic Trail which explores the fascinating built heritage of this historic and attractive village. The Loughbrickland Historic Trail project is a partnership project between Banbridge District Council, Dr. Jean Whyte, Loughbrickland and District Community Association, Loughbrickland Historical Group and Probation Service for NI who helped with the ground works. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided funding which facilitated the opening of the Boundary Trail the creation of access to Johnston’s Fort.

Route Fact File

Distance:	Woodland trail (yellow way markers) approx. 0.90 miles (1.45 km) Boundary trail (brown way markers) approx. 1.25 miles (2 km) Can be combined to create an approx. 2.5 mile (4.02 km) circular walk
Grade:	Moderate - follows rough trails which can be uneven and muddy. Steep steps to Johnston’s Fort and two sets of steps at Coolancran Fort. Pedestrian gates along route.
Advice:	Access permitted along waymarked trails only – please stay on paths. Please keep dogs on lead and do not let them roam in farm land adjoining the Boundary Trail. Please take your litter home and clear up after your dog. Please leave plants and flowers untouched for others to enjoy. The woods will be closed from time to time throughout the year to accommodate archery competitions. Ballyvally Archery Club will post notices at gates. The path will be closed on the following dates in 2010: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th January, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th April, Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th May, Sunday 6th June, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July and Sunday 3rd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th October.
Start and Finish:	Walk starts at entrance to the Whyte Estate at the junction of Scarva Street and the Old Newry Road, Loughbrickland.
Parking:	Please note that there is no parking available within the estate. Please park with due consideration along Scarva Street and walk to start of walk.
Grid Reference:	J104425 OS map Discover Series, Sheet 20 1:50,000, Craigavon.
Refreshments:	Shops, cafe and pub in village.
Attractions:	The F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio houses an art gallery, café and tourist information point.  It is located about 1.5 mile from Loughbrickland, just off the A1 heading north.  Take the first turn-off from the A1 to Banbridge coming from Loughbrickland & proceed to the roundabout & follow signage to the centre.  Free Admission. Open Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sunday 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Lisnagade Fort:  the only large triple-ringed earthwork recorded in County Down.  It is a State Care monument located approx. 200 metres across a field (in agricultural use) off the Lisnagade Road, a couple of miles NW of Loughbrickland. (Grid ref: J087441).  Take the Scarva Road out of the village, past the Whyte Estate, continue to 3rd road on the right – continue thru X-road for approx ½ mile looking for small lay-by on left of road.  Continuing along this north to the main road junction will bring you onto the B10 and you can take a left to go to Scarva. Scarva Visitors Centre and Newry Canal Towpath and Scarva Park 3 miles to the west.
Toilets:	Basic toilets in Loughbrickland Park in the village, near the Poyntzpass Road entrance to the park - approx. O.5 mile from the entrance to the estate.
Publication:	A pdf document of the ‘Walk in the Whyte Estate, Loughbrickland’ can be down loaded under Publications – this is an extract from the Loughbrickland Historic Trail and contains a map and directions for the completing the 2.5 mile walk.  Copies of the full historic trail can be downloaded from the walking page – ‘Loughbrickland Historic Trail’ and are available free of charge from various outlets in Loughbrickland Village or by contacting Banbridge Tourist Information: T: 028 4062 9054 E: tic@banbridge.gov.uk W: www.walkni.com

Route Finder
The village is located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of Banbridge.