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Strangford is a small historic village at the southern narrows of Strangford Lough — the largest sea-inlet in the British Isles and one of the most internationally important marine habitats in Europe. The ferry to Portaferry has connected the two shores of the narrows for centuries; the lough itself is a Ramsar site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and its tidal currents, island margins and saltmarsh edges create an exceptionally rich forage environment. The shore-side scrub of whitethorn and whin on the lough margins gives a strong May blossom flow; sycamore on the village lane trees and the Castle Ward estate parkland south of the village provides the main early-summer source. The Castle Ward demesne, held by the National Trust, has mature broadleaf woodland and walled-garden planting that sustains forage through midsummer. Bramble and ivy on the old estate walls and hedgerow margins extend the season into autumn.

Blackthorn on drumlin hedges opens the year; sycamore is the dominant May flow. Hawthorn is abundant. Lime in Newtownards, Bangor and Downpatrick gives a strong June crop. The Mourne Mountains carry ling and bell heather — a genuinely distinctive Mournes heather honey. Bramble is dense; coastal sea-aster on Strangford Lough adds character; himalayan balsam on the Lagan gives a long late flow. Ivy on whitewashed cottage walls closes a long, mild year.