Dating to the end of the 17th century, Clandeboye Estate’s historic parklands near Bangor are a model of diversification and sustainable land management practice. Home of the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, there is a powerful commitment to enhancing the biodiverse, social and economic role of the estate, building on its history, heritage and diverse and quality landscapes.
The estate is over 2000 acres and comprises the largest broadleaf woodland in NI, intimate walled gardens adjoining the Courtyard and house, a chapel, Courtyard events space, a bee garden, conservatory garden, wildflower meadow, heritage Irish apple trees, a leased organic vegetable garden, 3 golf courses and farmland for 100 pedigree and championship Holstein and Jersey cows.
The cows provide daily fresh milk for a range of hand crafted, rich and creamy natural yoghurts made on site. In 2016, Clandeboiye’s Greek style yoghurt won 3 stars in the Great Taste Award and Gold in the Blas na hEireann Irish quality awards.
Weddings are celebrated in Clandeboye’s own beautiful private chapel and the Courtyard Banqueting Hall -where artisanal food producers can supply local foodstuffs. Many other family, corporate and social events happen throughout the year, showcasing the estate’s economic and social roles. These include an annual open day, events for the learning disabled, friends and families, flower demonstrations, classical music workshops, literary festival and garden tours.
Clandeboye’s 250kW anaerobic digestor is a model of circular sustainability - taking animal waste and producing biofertilizer and energy, soon to power a new factory on site for the yogurt production.
The estate’s commitment to social enterprise extends to a charitable trust, the Dufferin Foundation, that supports environmental projects throughout NI and works closely with Conservation Volunteers NI and to the Learning Without Walls initiative supported by Northern Ireland Forest School Association, which ties in with an after school club to get children playing outdoors, with the estate’s own park rangers on hand.
To visit or have a special event, call 02891 853 457or visit the website.
The Green Tourism programme was funded by the Council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund - a scheme which is powered by the recycling efforts of local residents and businesses. Thanks to an increased amount of recycling by the local community, almost £15M has been saved in landfill costs since the programme’s inception. These savings have allowed the Council to create the RCIF which supports new and existing environmentally friendly initiatives.
