Mount Stewart is an 18th-century house and garden in County Down, Northern Ireland, owned by the National Trust. Situated on the east shore of Strangford Lough, a few miles outside the town of Newtownards and near Greyabbey, it was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry. The house and its contents reflect the history of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family, who played a leading role in British and Irish social and political life.

On a beautiful early September morning we had a visit (today) to the last day of the Summer car boot sale at Mount Stewart, County Down which was actually really good (we came home with an armful of CDs, DVDs, and some jewellery) and afterwards we went into the amazing National Trust gardens surrounding the impressive property (above)

All over the grounds there are amazing hidden curiosities among the trees and around the bushes, looking as if every nation on earth has been represented in some small way.

From this picture, you could easily imagine you were in some lush Japanese garden.

This old tree trunk looked quite impressive in the fading light of a 2014 Summer.

On a day like today, its easy to see that Northern Ireland can shine once the Sun comes out from behind the clouds. This is the lake in the middle of the grounds at Mount Stewart. Gorgeously green.

An entrance to a private burial ground within the park. You cant enter here, but there’s plenty of places to see inside if you wish.

Almost like a tiny bit of the great wall of China.

A mermaid who peeps out permanently from the lake.

If you find this little pier jutting out into the water, look to the right and you’ll see the mermaid.

A carved wooden head at Mount Stewart, their very own piece of an Easter Island tribute. For further information on Mount Stewart opening times and events, see here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/