Across the Narrows from the ferry slip on the opposite shore is the pretty village of Strangford. A ferry runs from Portaferry to Strangford and back throughout the day. Both have excellent restaurants, bars and accommodation.

The woodland to the right is part of the National Trust's Castle Ward estate. The estate features shore walks, an impressive estate house, a wildlife centre and Audley's Castle.

Looking back to Portaferry, on this shore, from left to right you can see

· Nugent's Wood - managed by the National Trust.
· The large white building is Queen's University Marine Research Laboratory. Students from all over the world study here and many use the Lough and its marine life in their research.
· A 15th century tower house. The stable-yard beside this houses the Tourist Information Centre.
· The triangular building in front of the tower house is the Royal National Lifeboat Association boathouse. Many local people volunteer their skills and services to the RNLI, going out in all kinds of weather conditions, to protect lives.
· Behind (not visible) lies the Exploris aquarium.
· Further along the shorefront you can see visiting boats berthed at the pontoons, creating additional interest on the shorefront in summer.
· In the background you may just make out the Windmill Hill (a distant tower on the skyline). Check this out in the Windmill Hill tour.