The best cycling routes around Gordonall

Voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world, Mount Stewart reflects a rich tapestry of design and planting artistry bearing the hallmark of its creator. Edith, Lady Londonderry’s passion for bold planting schemes coupled with the mild climate of Strangford Lough allows rare and tender plants from across the globe to thrive in this celebrated garden. Each of the formal gardens exudes a distinct character and appeal. Mount Stewart is a delight for the senses with a series of formal themed garden compartments around the house including The Italian, Spanish, Mairi and Shamrock Garden.

Ballydorn, or 'The Dorn' as it is locally known, is a beautiful and popular mooring ground with a short-stay pontoon attached to a permanently moored lightship called The LV Petrel that is now the Down Cruising Club headquarters. The LV Petrel was commissioned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1913, and built by the Dublin Drydocks Company. This Lightship spent most of its previous working life at Blackwater Bank on the River Blackwater, Wexford. It was then sold in 1968 to Hammond Lane foundries in Dublin, before being saved to use as the cruise club HQ. The boat is registered as a national historic ship in the UK.

Ringhaddy Sound is located on the western shore of Strangford Lough to the west of Islandmore. With its unusual swollen hills it is a real joy to cycle. Descend into the sound, and enjoy the atmosphere. A Castle ruin and Church sit further on the Peninsula, but alas they are on private land. It is possible to arrange access from the land owner however. There is also a Beautiful mooring with a Boat Club that has full facilities if needed. Heres a bit about the Castle. This is one of the most completely surviving tower houses in the county, retaining its gables and formerly an original wooden window. There were at least two main phases of construction at this site. The ground floor, which had a stone vault, dates from the 15th century, while the upper parts were rebuilt in about 1600. It is rectangular in plan with small turrets at the north-east and south-west angles, one with the stair and the other with a latrine chute. There are large fireplaces on the first and second floors, and an attic in the roof. A distinctive stone rainwater spout projects from the east side. The castle seems to have changed hands between Bryan McArt and the English in the early 16th century, and it is likely that the earlier castle was McArt’s stronghold, slighted when he withdrew, and rebuilt by the new English owner. Underwater investigation has confirmed the presence of a stone slipway beside the castle, and water transport was clearly of great importance in this location.

Movilla was associated with Saint Finian in the 6th-century. As with many early monasteries, it was plundered by Vikings in the 9th century, but was refounded as an Augustinian abbey in the Norman 12th century and survived until the suppression of religious houses in the 1540s. It has the best collection of 13th Century coffin lids with foliate crosses in the Province. These are built into the inside north wall. Only one stone from the Pre-Norman period survives; it is marked with “Or do Dertrend”, “pray for Dertrend”. Later structures include the ruins of a 13th century church which was rebuilt in the 15th-century. A really fascinating stop.

It's home to two yacht clubs: Strangford Lough Yacht Club and 1.5 kilometres (0.95 mi) to the north, Down Cruising Club. Between the two yacht clubs is Sketrick Castle, a 15th-century tower house on Sketrick Island, now in a state of ruin. To the south of Whiterock is Ballymorran Bay.

Ballycopeland Windmill is the only remaining working windmill in East Down. It was built in the late 18th or early 19th century and was worked until the First World War when it fell into disrepair. It was gradually restored between 1950 and 1978 to full working order.

The grounds are huge and abound with history. You can only be struck by the character of the place. Especially considering the modern sprawl approaching the Abbeys walls.

Lovely place to rest. There are tables arranged outside to the right of the Abbey. Grab some supplies from the shop just up the road in the village, and enjoy the atmosphere. The Abbey is open 24 / 7. Grey Abbey is one of the best examples of Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in Ulster, and was the daughter house of Holm Cultram (Cumbria). It was founded in 1193 by Affreca, wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman invader of East Ulster. The remains, in the beautiful parkland setting of the nearby grand house of Rosemount, consist of the church with cloister and surrounding buildings to the south.