The Properties of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland - Introduction by the Earl of Antrim #271973

The Castleward estate, close to Strangford, Co. Down, consists of over 600 acres of woodland, park and gardens running down to the narrow water at the mouth of Strangford Lough. It has been in the Ward family since the second half of the 16th century. The present house was built about 1765 by Bernard Ward, first Lord Bangor, and his wife, Anne; the name of their architect is unknown, but he was certainly adaptable. Lord Bangor wanted a strictly classical house; the south-west front, and the rooms on that side, were accordingly built in the Palladian manner. Lady Bangor, however, pre ferred Strawberry Hill Gothick: the north-east front, looking out over the lough, is an outstanding Irish example of that spidery and battlemented style. The classical rooms contain admirable plasterwork and panelling; the Gothick rooms contain some remarkable fan-vaulting, and many intriguing details. The furniture in the public rooms is on loan to the Trust from the present Lord Bangor.