Welcome to Grey Abbey House and Gardens

 

We specialise in historical, architectural and horticultural groups and can
provide lunch, tea and dinner by arrangement.

Situated on the Ards Peninsula in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, Grey Abbey has been in the possession of the Montgomery family since 1607, when Sir Hugh Montgomery (later 1st Viscount Montgomery of The Great Ards) arrived in Co. Down from lowland Scotland. The present house is the third to be built on the site overlooking Strangford Lough, a designated area of special scientific interest. Built in 1762, the present house is considered to be one of the finest Georgian country houses in Ireland. The house contains interesting architectural features and fine 18th century plasterwork.

 

The surrounding estate was greatly reduced in size as a result of Land Acts, but still encompasses ancient woodland with many notable species of tree, a slate quarry, lake, and what is believed to be one of the first landscaped parks in Ireland. The grounds adjoin the ruins of a Cistercian abbey, founded in 1193, where there are many interesting Montgomery family memorials.

 

 

The micro climate provided by Strangford Lough means that a widespread variety of trees, shrubs and plants flourish in the gardens. There are two orchards containing unusual varieties of apple trees, a working walled vegetable garden, herbaceous and shrub rose borders, and a southern hemisphere garden.

 

 
© www.greyabbeyhouse.com 2005