Although the majority of these woods at Kildowney Road are Sitka spruce, planted as a commercial crop that would thrive in damp conditions, Downe Wood is an exception as it also contains numerous other species. This really does enhance the overall fell that is so important.

As can be seen from the photographs, the Sitka is very well spaced and allows a great deal of light in, not normally a feature of these sorts of plantations. In contrast to this, the Sitka allows a great deal of privacy to be maintained, even creating a sense of intrigue while moving through the wood from "room to room", almost a secret trail.

Other species that exist in small coups here and there are larch, beech, birch and Scots pine, along with some odd trees of hawthorn. It all adds up to a wood with a lovely feeling.

The woods at Kildowney Road are not well walked, they are quite private and do not connect with other public locations. A well placed trail camera would be an interesting project to see who is residing within.

Bird life abounds. Again, this is an unusual occurrence for a Sitka plantation; they are normally quiet except for the whisper of wind in the tops. Buzzards, woodpecker, cuckoo and a host of song birds may be heard at the right time of year.

The main features of Downe Wood are the beginnings of natural glades, the privacy and intrigue offered by the Sitka spruce, along with the other tree species adding diversity. The privacy is really excellent.

Ground conditions are very good and make access through the wood quite easy and pleasant.

The woods are served by a very well made access track from the public road, which arrives at the hard ride stop area.

A broad grassy ride along the southern boundary affords access to an appropriate vehicle all along this boundary and to the central ride.

An intrigue track has been trimmed from the ridestop all the way through Downe Wood to its western boundary. Numerous sleeper bridges add a convenient way to cross the drainage ditches.

The shooting rights will be granted to the new owner.

Downe Wood is a lovely larger wood and will make a wonderfully private retreat with ample firewood for domestic use. The numerous naturally emerging glades are an indicator of just how ready nature is to exploit gaps in the canopy, nature is just waiting for the opportunity.

Trimming more tracks and trails is an easy and rewarding task, once the lay of the land is ascertained and the enlargement of some of the many glades will create even better conditions for colonising plants to gain a foothold, once they can see the sky and receive sunlight.

The glades could be treated as seperate spaces in their own: some for increasing diversity, some as nurseries for native trees. Other spaces could be opened up for working within, as secret hide aways or as camp spots, the ground conditions being quite clear and dry.

Alternatively, the larger size of this amenity woodland could support family;y orientated forestry activity.

The nearby town of Ballymena dates to the Early Christian period, from around the fifth century. In 1868, a gravedigger found a large stone slab on which was carved a cross with the inscription ord do degen. This refers to Bishop Degen, who lived in Ireland during the seventh century. This stone is now in the porch of St Patrick's Church of Ireland. This, like many churches, was at one time ransacked by the pesky Vikings.

In the late 12th century, the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland and conquered much of what is now eastern Ulster, creating the Earldom of Ulster. They built a motte-and-bailey fort in what is now the Harryville area of Ballymena. It is one of the best-surviving examples of this type of fortification in Northern Ireland.