Townley Hall

Townley Hall Wood was part of Townley Hall Estate which was owned by the Balfour family. The Balfours built Townley Hall House (not open to the public) together with the little lodge and entrance gate which were part of the overall architectural design. At Townley Hall the River Boyne forms the boundary between counties Meath and Louth while just upstream in the bend in the river lie the tumuli of Dowth, New Grange and Knowth which collectively form Bru na Boinne. History clusters around the area, human activity is shown to go back 6000 years. Close by is the site of the Battle of the Boyne, where a battle for the control of the English Crown took place in 1690. Townley Hall Wood provides the opportunity for invigorating walks through its gently rolling wooded landscapes, and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
The woodland consists mainly of broadleaves with a few scattered conifers. The wood is a relic of planting by the Balfour family some 150-200 years ago. Main species include old oak, beech, ash, sycamore, European silver fir and Scots pine. Other flora includes blackthorn, holly, hazel, elder, ground ivy, briar and broadleaf woodland flowers.