UK – Northern Ireland

COUNTY FERMANAGH

Marble Arch Forest, Florencecourt, Entrance is off the main Florencecourt to Blacklion Road, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, N.I.
028 6632 3110
Open end of March to September.
Situated close to the famous Marble Arch caves this forest offers walks along the Claddagh Glen, nature trails and a waterfall.

Castle Archdale Country Park, Rossmore, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, BT94 1PP, N.I.
028 686 21588 – brondi@doeni.gov.uk
09.00 – Dusk
This country park offers woodland and loughshore walks. The marina gives access to White Island.

Forthill Park, Forthill, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, N.I.
028 6632 3533
Park access at all times
A beautiful town park on a steep hill. Within the park is the Cole Monument built in 1857 with 108 steps to the top.(There is a charge to climb the monument but the park itself is free.)

Ely Lodge Forest, Entrance just across the road to Carrickreagh viewpoint, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 4EJ, N.I.
028 6634 3032 – www.forestserviceni.gov.uk
Access at all times
This forest offers lake shore trails and rambles, picnic area and a jetty.

LONDONDERRY

COUNTY DOWN

Cairnwood, Ballysallagh, County Down, N.I.
028 9064 7256
Access at all times
Offering a mixture of marked paths for rambling and orienteering, this is a haven for mature conifers and young trees.

Stricklands Glen, Bangor West, Approached by narrow Glen Road off Bryansburn Roundabout, Bangor, County Down, N.I.
Access at all times
A wooded glen which follows the Bryans Burn, a stream which runs from Connor Park into Smelt Mill Bay. Enchanting walks take you along tree lined roads, stunning waterfalls and ponds.

Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, off the A2, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3DQ, N.I.
028 417 38134
Open dawn to dusk
Features of this park include a stunning 2 mile forest drive with panoramic views over Carlingford Loch, riverside walks and arboretum.

Redburn Country Park, Old Holywood Road, Jackson’s Road, Holywood, County Down, BT16 1YP, N.I.
028 918 11491
Access at all times
Wooded walks with views of Belfast City, Lough and South Antrim Hills. Spectacular displays of bluebells in Spring.

Scrabo Country Park, Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ, N.I.
028 918 11491
Park open at all times Tower open 10.30-18.00 from 30th March – 25th September ( Closed on Fridays )
The park has wooded walks and stunning views and also includes Scrabo Tower a memorial to the third Marquis of Londonderry.

Tyrella Beach, Killough Road, Follow signs off the A20 and A21, Downpatrick, County Down, N.I.
Access at all times
Waymarked walks, beach centre, information displays and a shop all feature on this award winning beach.

COUNTY ARMAGH

Tannaghmore Garden Farm, Silverwood, Craigavon, County Armagh, N.I.
028 383 43244
Daily 10.00-1 hour before dusk
Rose gardens surround this Georgian farmhouse. The farm has many rare breeds of animals that were found on Ulster farms 100 years ago. The farm is next to Craigavon Lakes which is a great location for walks.

Ballymoyer Forest, Off Whitecross to Newtownhamilton road, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, N.I.
Access at all times
Ballymoyer is a wooded glen surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Fews Mountains. Douglas Firs dominate the skyline.

Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Forkhill Road, 5 miles from Newry, Newry, County Armagh, N.I.
Access at all times
There is a route that leads to the top of Slieve Gullion Mountain where a passage grave, cairn and volcanic lake can be found.

Peatlands Park, Derryhubbert Road, Dungannon, 10 miles N of Armagh, Dungannon, County Armagh, N.I.
028 388 51102
Park (Daily) East-Sep 09.00-21.00, Oct-east 09.00-17.00 Visitors Centre. Jun-Sep (Daily) 14.00-17.0
Nature reserves and an interpretative displays on the natural and human history of the peat bogs. Turf cutting demonstrations and a small railway that used to carry turf. (£1)

Maghery Country Park, 8 miles E of Dungannon, Exit 12 from M1, Maghery, County Armagh, BT66 6NJ, N.I.
028 383 22205
Open daily 09.00-17.00
Bird watching, fishing and nature trails are all attractions of this Country Park. Spectacular views of Lough Neagh.

COUNTY ANTRIM

West Light,Seabird Viewpoint, West Lighthouse, Rathlin Island, 4 miles from the harbour, Ferry from Ballycastle, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6RT, N.I.
028 2076 3948
Free access to Kebble Nature Reserve. Access to view point only with supervision of the RSPB Warden during April – August. To avoid disappointment please contact the warden before your visit.
Spectacular views of puffins, razorbills, guillenots, kittiwakes and fulmars.

Portrush Countryside Centre, 8 Bath Road, Next to Fossil Ammonites Nature Reserve at Landsdown Crescent, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8AP, N.I.
028 7082 3600
30 March to 1st June Saturday to Tues from 10.00-16.00 1st June to 30th September daily 10.00-18.00
This Countryside Centre’s attractions include rock pool animals in a touch tank, exhibitions and video presentations. Once the bath-house (with hot and cold salt-water bathing) for the patrons of the famous Northern Counties Hotel.

White Park Bay Nature Trail, On the A2, 0.5 miles W of Ballintoy, Ballintoy, County Antrim, N.I.
Free access at all times Car park charge May-Aug weekends and holidays
One mile trail showing vegetation types that have been developed on sand and chalk. There are also geological features displayed.

Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4LH, N.I.
028 944 28000 – www.antrim.gov.uk
Mon-Fri 09.30-21.30 ( or dusk if earlier ) Sat 10.00-17.00 Sun 14.00-17.00
These restored 17C Anglo Dutch water gardens have a parterre, ponds and woodland and riverside walks.

Tardree Forest, W of Main Doagh to Ballymena Road, 4 miles to the north of Parkgate village, Access from Duncan’s car park, Antrim, County Antrim, N.I.
028 9049 1264
Access at all times
This is a mixed conifer forest with marked footpaths and picnic areas. There are stunning views over County Antrim and Lough Neagh. There is also a nature reserve with a rhyolite quarry.

Portmore Lough Nature Reserve, George’s Island Road, Gawleys Gate, Aghalee, County Antrim, N.I.
028 9265 2406
Access at all times
In winter large flocks of Geese visit the Lough as well as swans, ducks and other wildlife. During the Summer months the area is full of dragonflies, butterflies and wild flowers. There are also nature trails and a hide.

Randalstown Forest, Entrance off Staffordstown Road, 1 mile W of Randalstown, Randalstown, County Antrim, N.I.
028 9049 1264
Open 10.00-sunset
This mixed conifer forest also contains a visitors centre, deer park, a national nature reserve and a wild fowl refuge. To see the whole site on foot will take approximately 2.5 hours.

COUNTY TYRONE

Benburb Valley Park, Main Street, Benburb, Benburb, County Tyrone, N.I.
028 375 49752
Daily 10.00-dusk
The park includes walks along the Black Water River. The ruins of the 1615 Benburg Castle and limestone gorge are surrounded by Ash, Beech and Conifer trees. There is also a conservatory with Jasmine and Vines.

Parkanaur Forest Park, 4 miles W of Dungannon, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, N.I.
028 877 67432
Open daily 10.00-dusk
A nature trail runs through Oak and Beech trees, passing a Victorian garden, wishing well and an old archway. The park is full of daffodils and rhododendrons and home to a herd of white fallow deer.

Favour Royal Forest Walk, Between Augher and Aughnacloy, On the A28, Augher, County Tyrone, N.I.
Access at all times
The walk includes a visit to a gigantic Druid’s stone with nearby well acredited with healing powers.

CITY OF BELFAST

Botanic Gardens, Stranmillis Road, Queens University Area, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB, N.I.
028 903 24902
Gardens open daily to dusk. Greenhouses open Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00 Sat-Sun 14.00-17.00 (until 16.00 in winter).
Inside the landscaped gardens are two 19C greenhouses. The Tropical Ravine House and the Palm House, there is also a beautiful rose garden.

Lagan Valley Regional Park, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast, County Antrim, BT8 4TQ, N.I.
028 904 91922 – Postmaster@laganvalley.co.uk – www.laganvalley.co.uk
Open dawn – dusk
13 miles of a mixture of public parks, picnic areas, wetlands, canal tow paths, woodlands and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as a pre-historic monument. Include everything from way marked trails to an arboretums, japanese gardens, and riverside areas.

Cavehill Country Park, Antrim Road, North of City Centre, Belfast, County Antrim, BT5 5GR, N.I.
028 907 76925 – parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk – www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Open daily 09.00-18.00
Early stone aged settlers lived in the caves in this park which is how the area got its name. The park contains a mixture of features that provide geological, archaeological and botanical interest. There are also marked walks and an adventure playground.

Minnowburn Beeches, On the B205, 3.5 miles S of Belfast at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, County Antrim, N.I.
Open dawn – dusk
Owned by the National Trust this area provided woodlands and walks in the Langan Valley which lead to both the Giants Ring and Edenderry Village.

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Upper Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5PD, N.I.
028 903 20202 – parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk – www.rosemerald.co.uk
Open dawn – dusk
One of the World’s best rose gardens with over 25 000 rose, a spectacular sight in summer. Different themed gardens and over 100 different Camellia trails, a Japanese garden and tradititional Rhododendrons.

Grovelands, Stockman’s Lane, 3 miles S of Belfast Centre, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 7JE, N.I.
028 903 20202 – parksinfo@belfastcity.gov.uk – www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Open dawn – dusk
Sunken gardens and small ornamental gardens enclosed within impressive Art Deco entrance gates.

Stormont Public Park, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, N.I.
Daily until 19.30
This public park includes the Glen Walk, The Prince of Wales Avenue and a childrens playground. The park surrounds the Irish Parliament Buildings.