This is probably one of the nicest children's play parks in Carrickfergus, and strangely, a lot of…read morepeople don't know about it, as it is quite secluded! There are two entrances to Legg Park, one along the main Belfast Road, just up from the Model Primary School, and another entrance facing the Windrose. The park is fully fenced off and really well equipped with soft flooring, swings, slides and climbing frames. The park is also really nicely landscaped with lots of benches making it pleasant to sit around on a sunny day.

This is an excellent park. It suits all age groups from youngest of the young to the elder folk!!!…read morePlenty of well kept flower beds, the place is spotless and lots to see and do. Love the lake but didn't get to see the inside of the Pavillion. Great toddlers play area and there are tennis courts and bowling green. There are also tables on which one can Bbq. The colours of the flowers and kiddies play area are wonderful and this is a wonderful gift left by Sir Frederick Adair in 1909.

Great place to camp! Beautiful scenery, a lake and a castle…read moreon the grounds. Big field where you can pick where to pitch your tent. Friendly wardens. A small cafe on the grounds. Absolutely lovely!

The sun doesn't even have to be shining to put the massive grounds of Castlewellan to good use…read more There is quite a bit of natural shelter from wind and rain. When it is sunny however this place gets very busy, especially by the lake where people don't just picnic - and indeed BBQ - but kayak, fish, walk, cycle, and bring their dogs for a swim. There are plenty of amenities on site or very nearby, such as plenty of parking, clean public bathrooms, a small cafe, and a large shop within easy walking distance. There is also a huge maze for you to try and find your way out of and that alone could take up a good hour. Entrance fee per car is £4.50 - a bargain for a full day's outing. Tip: there are some rubbish bins but not a lot; people tend to take their rubbish with them. The grounds are kept exceptionally clean.

This is a great walk on the outskirts of Belfast. It is well hidden from the Manse road entrance…read morebut don't be put off its worth the view! It takes roughly 30 - 40 mins to ascend depending on fitness level. The path leads from a quaint bridge along a stony lane running behind Lagan college. It has quite a steep incline half way through - really gets the heart pumping. The vista over Belfast and the lough are breath taking. I usually catch a plane or ship coming in. Tip 1. Parking can be tight, i recommend parking in local estate Garland Hill and adding to the dander Tip 2. If you don't fancy the strenuous walk up hill there is another entrance with parking on the Lisnabreeny road itself.

I love finding different places to walk without having to travel too far and this is another such…read moreplace. 10 mins by car from my house in Carryduff and nestled in the Castlereagh hills. There's a small car park off Manse Rd easy to miss as it's not signposted. Entry to the walk is through a wooden gate on the left. You are on a par with Cavehill height- wise and when it's clear you can see right down to the port of Belfast or over to the spectacular Mournes. There's a Rath surrounded by trees which is eerily quiet and the gravelled path leads you down towards Cregagh Glen and waterfalls. You walk past the back of Lagan college and enter the Glen via an underpass. Be careful as the old railway sleeper path ways can be treacherous as I found out to my cost recently! They look dry but can be slippery as I ended upon my ass. Fortunately nothing damaged except ny dignity! You can take a detour to visit the monument to American soldiers who served in NI during WW2 or walk on down the Glen which is beautiful especially after rain when the water is really flowing. It is quite a steep walk back up to the car park but there are a few benches dotted around. Hard to believe you are right in the heart of urban Belfast. This place is well worth a visit with kids (there's a little adventure playground) or its a haven for dog walkers or even just on your own.

Beautiful! Merrion Square is by far the prettiest and best kept park that I have ever been in…read more Everything is so green and tidy! The grass, the flowers planted at the perimeters, the winding paths...it's all perfect! This is a great park for laying in the grass to read or people-watch. The best part of this park by far is the gorgeous statue of Oscar Wilde, sprawled out on a rock looking smug. The statue is in the northwest corner of the park facing Oscar's childhood home at 1 Merrion Square. Next to the rock are a couple of pillars that have some of Oscar's best quotes etched in the stone. Georgian homes surround the park and they're just as much fun to look at as the park. I've heard that on Sundays the railings surrounding the park are hung with work from local artists; all for sale. I'll have to visit on a Sunday next time!

On the south side of city centre and over 250 years old the Merrion Square Park is so nice…read more Surrounded by Georgian buildings it is so beautiful. I just learned up until the 1960's Merrion Square Park used to be open only to the Merrion Square residents. This park is lovely and the area surrounding the park is so worth visiting just to gauk at the buildings surrounding the park.

A long walk through the atmospheric Peatlands Park is a refreshing way to blow away winter cobwebs…read more There's nowhere else like this park that I know of in Northern Ireland. It's a vast, flat, beautiful, haunting wilderness filled with an array of plants and wildlife. I love the wooden walkways which go right over the bog itself. Visiting Peatlands feels like an adventure and it's perfect to visit at any time of the year. There's free parking and entry, however this is a massive stretch of land which can be quite deserted in wintertime so for safety always make sure you're with someone.

Havnt been able to locate this directly on the map but its off limavady on the DOGLEAP ROAD WELL…read moreWORTH A VISIT! Icing on the cake for that peaceful time out! Roe valley country park is the most tranquil place that i have ever been! Not easily impressed.it takes alot to for me to say YES..there is miles of walking and one day will never cover the whole park however u will have a wonderful experience with the miles that you do cover the fishermen will love it, the walkers will say HAPPY DAYS and the people just looking for something different will enjoy the time out. I took my children and though it was long for them ( I would advise a picnic) They loved it! So much from bat caves to the old bridges over the riverDefinitely a hidden treasure! A MUST SEE!

It's a delightful place to stroll/hike/jog and there's enough to keep kids enthralled…read more It has a great play area and there's a cafe hired to a private sector company that also has a cafe in the Kilbroney Park. We get in free at least for this year as we are residents who can choose one of our parks to have free entry. The decision to charge and hike our household rates was made by incompetent folks on a hundred k a year plus who always have free parking where they work enabled by councillors who enjoy generous expenses. We are always the suckers. No doubt we'll be hit for forest park payment next time round.

The Slieve Gullion Park was a wonderful experience. This was a very active stop on our tour. It…read moreincluded a 2 mile hike up a very rocky and unstable hill. The climb was not easy but very fun. There were two level a to the hike. The first part was a bit easier than the second. At the half way point there is an area to stop and rest, beyond that, the path gets much steeper and rockier. At the top we're two stone Stone Age monuments at the top of a rocky hill. There was a small entrance to what I think was a burial chamber which I did not enter. This is an invigorating, medium difficulty hike. It was well worth the climb.