Long Canals and Round Pond, Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, Co Antrim

Long Canals and Round Pond, Antrim Castle Gardens

A formal arrangement of two long ornamental canals bounded by high clipped hedges, running on a north-south axis but at different levels and connected by a small cascade. The lower canal has a short spur running east, and a separate oval pond sits to the east of the cascade.

The lower canal terminates in concrete or smooth cement rendered ends of curving form. The upper canal has an angled concrete end to the south and a curving concrete or smooth cement rendered end to the north, with an inlet at its north end formed by a short length of blue plastic pipe. The spur canal has a grass edge at its east end. Both main canals are grass edged, with a gravel path running along each side, bounded by rising grass verges bordered with hedges. Lime hedges border the lower canal, while hornbeam hedges border the upper canal. The cascade connecting the two levels is constructed of smooth granite blocks.

The oval pond is edged with grass and contains a small artificial island in its centre, made of basalt rocks covered with plantings, added in the late 19th century.

The canals and pond are integral to the overall gardens of Antrim Castle, situated in a heavily wooded area surrounded by grassed spaces thick with trees, cut through with paths and drainage ditches. To the west of the lower canal is a large rectangular area laid out with parterres. To the east, south of the spur canal, sits a small rectangular burial ground. The oval pond stands in a glade approached from both north and south along a broad lime avenue. At the southern end of this avenue are remnants of a walled garden, including flights of steps and portions of walls. West of that is an early medieval motte, transformed into a garden feature probably in the early 18th century with a spiral path cut around it to the top. To the west of the motte are the remains of Antrim Castle itself; to the north-west stands an 18th century stone bridge, Deerpark Bridge; further north-west is an early Victorian stable block, Clotworthy House (now an arts centre), with outbuildings known as the Castle Farm immediately to its north.

The gardens are bounded by the Sixmilewater River to the south with some portions of old stone walls remaining; a modern rubble stone wall and the new extension of Dublin Road to the east; the fence of a military camp to the west; and a rubble stone wall facing Randalstown Road to the north. The main entrance is via a driveway from Randalstown Road through newly erected piers topped by stone pineapples previously situated in the burial ground within the gardens, proceeding to a car park beside Clotworthy House and also directly to Deerpark Bridge, with a branch to the motte. Pedestrian entrances to the gardens are also provided from Dublin Road.