Dark Hedges

Over the past 300 years, the Beech trees guarding either side of the lane have reached up and across to each other. They have become heavily intertwined to create a natural arched tunnel where shadow and light plays through entwined branches.

This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century. It was intended as a welcoming landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, ‘Gracehill House’, which is now a golf club. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland.