Superb forest park for a dander even if it is pretty uphill, sure it will get the legs working!…read moreThe path has been recently gravelled so even when it rains you don't have to sludge about in the muck and when you have a dog this can be a godsend for a clean backseat of your car. There is also trials that the bikes have made but these can be walked as well and take you through huge sections of undergrowth and trees and there are some lovely views from the top of the hill. However, I am saddened by the amount of de-forestation going on in the area!

Great wee walk…read more Good parking. There are three different walks and arrows to follow for them. The walks are each no more than one mile long. They are set on a hill. The paths are good. Stoney and hard. Not to much mud or mush. The setting is in a wood. You can see views through the trees at times over Belfast.

Spent this morning at Millisle Beach Park and have to say I was thoroughly impressed. Amazing views…read moreof the water for us adults whilst also providing an abundance of fun for the kids. The pirate ship was a huge hit and while my 2 year old nephew was far too small for it, apparently just standing on it and turning the steering wheel provides ample entertainment. They also have two play park areas, one for older children and a great one for the younger. It was quite quiet so there was no fighting over the play area or swings. In addition, they have a full seat swing for children with disabilities which I thought was a great touch and I'm sure will be greatly appreciated by those who require it. Bring your own ball and you can use the dedicated football area. As an adult I would have loved a coffee to make this a top notch destination. Fingers crossed.

Way back in 2010 I was maybe a little bit harsh on Millisle beach park. Now I'm 28 I have started…read moreto appreciate scenery a whole lot more and there's not many places as scenic as Millisle beach. The beach itself stretches about 3 miles (when the tide is out) and makes a great place to walk the dog. You can let your dog off the lead here too, which they always love. The council have recently put some cash dollar in to a community garden and they are in the process of building a new drainage system. There's a nice play park too with a big pirate ship that lets kids keep watch for pirates sailing in the Irish Sea. With plenty of parking and great views it really does make for a nice walk even on a blustery autumn afternoon.

I have many very happy memories from sunny childhood days spent at Brown's Bay. A short drive from…read morewhere I live, and at the very end of the Islandmagee peninsula, just outside Larne, it makes for an enjoyable and leisurely drive to get there. The site itself has two car parks (side by side) allowing for parking for approximately 150 cars, with some on-road parking available too. There are onsite loos with disabled a baby changing facilities, and there is also a small shop which is open on a part-time basis and sells essentials, such as the bucket and spade! The beach itself is clean and tidy, with lots of public bins available to keep it that way! The view from the beach provides stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean!

Lovely little beach at the end of the peninsula know as Islandmagee, very clean and tidy. Great…read morespot with a lot of history. If you head down here there is Plenty of parking and a great clean toilet block.

This knocks the socks off Botanic Gardens any day. It's massive, wilder, nowhere near as crowded…read moreand just lovely. I used to take my spaniel Tiko here every day and he loved it - OK, dogs love anywhere they can run about, but he really did share my love of this park, as there's loads of undergrowth he could and did snuffle into and lots of space to run around. (And if the poor girl whose lunchtime Subway sandwich he scarfed is reading this, I can only apologise yet again.) I haven't been back to Ormeau Park since he died, because, well, I just don't want to at the mo, but some of my happiest memories of him are at this park and it''s probably my favourite outdoor spot in all of Belfast. I love walking past the house in the middle of it and dreaming someday of living there. I'd even give up my Melbourne yearning for that... This is a stellar spot for walking, cycling or skating, and I even saw a mini orchestra happily playing near the bandstand once as well. There are bowling greens, a basketball/netball court and tennis courts, at which I would marvel at healthy types playing vigorously there at 10am on a Sunday, as Tiko and I lurched past. (And if the poor guy whose tennis ball he neatly nipped in and stole is reading this, I can only apologise yet again.) A beautiful park that's a bit bittersweet for me at the moment, but hopefully will become a regular chilling out place for me again. Perfect.

Ormeau Park, the underrated green space of Belfast. I love this place its a little emerald in the…read moregrey concrete of the city. Well cultivated and kept with its grandiose gates and lots of little walks and trails, great for a little peace of mind walk or a wee day out for kids at the pretty awesome play park. My only negative is that I think there could be more done here events wise. It always seems botanic has the monopoly on those. Maybe a winter wonderland like they do at Hyde Park in London and a few Summer events to make use of the bandstand and nice open spaces.

Brought my daughter here on Sunday for the first time and I have to say I was shocked, it's so…read morebig!!!!! The place was completely packed out with people (which put me of abit) but my daughter loved every minute of it. They have a good range of food on offer from burgers to sandwiches to cakes, also a good kids range and lovely teas and coffee's. The place is double the size of places like funky monkeys and it's staff are a lot better with kids in my opinion. They also have party packages and 4 individual party rooms which are a good size. I'll definitely be back even though it's abit of a drive for me but it's worth it. My daughter hasn't shut up about it since lol. The only thing I will say is stay away from it Saturday and Sunday and go during the week if you can because it's less busy.

I Visited here this morning with the nursery school I work for. It's been our third visit here as…read moreour end of term treat. Each visit we as a team have been very impressed by the professionalism shown by Noel and his staff. Friendly and extremely efficient. All the Children all had a ball, many thanks. Looking forward to returning.

If you havnt been here before its defo worth the visit. ..been here a few times with the family…read morethe last time we wnt it had new things added to it Pay a pound at the shoo and can get a cup of food so that u can feed the animals which the kids love. Goats were out walkin about the last time we were here came to us to get food and a pet Theres a peting part were they bring aniamls and u can hold and feed them Kids love it The cafe is good Good picnic areas Park Lake to feed ducks Big boucing thing for kids And an ark Ive put sum pics up wel worth the visit

I have now been to The Ark three times in the last two years. I think this should tell you that I…read morereally like it. The first time, we had some visitors staying and we thought it would be a nice day out. We had a great time feeding and stroking the animals -it was like being kids again! The second time my fiancé took me to visit as part of my birthday fun things to do. It was raining but we still had a great time as many areas are enclosed. There was a school trip there and we lingered by the petting farm area to watch the kids feed the kids (baby goats) using a bottle and to listen in on the educational talk given by the guide. The third time I took my nephew - what a hoot that was - one of the enclosures houses a really big goat who can almost stretch out of his pen - he took a rather large lick of my nephews ice cream which then had to be chucked even though Niall protested by screaming his head off. The farm is well run with a shop selling farm themed toys, animal food as well as farm produce. There are many different types of farm creature that you would expect to find on any farm- pigs, horses, sheep and, rather randomly, a wallaby. For a few quid it's well worth a visit. Apart from the farm animals there is also a really great playground for the (human) kids to enjoy. With a café on site as well as a large indoor area full of toy tractors for the younger ones to ride about on you can have a nice time in the sun or the rain. The owners also offer pony and horseback rides for a few pounds more. Most of the animals have a lot of space and are in pens with just one other of their species - I did notice that some chickens who were locked away did look a little cramped but in fairness most of the chickens are free to wander around the land. A great day out!

I had heard people talking about Sea park and how lovely it was, but it took me a while to come…read moreaccross it. I was delighted to find it when I first moved to the area. It is the most scenic, relaxing and popular area you could find in Belfast. Getting to the seaside, away from the hustle bustle of the town is therapeutic. You can see right accross to Carrickfergus on a clear day. The beach has clean white powdery sand. When the tide is out you can see the rocky pools and some people forage for cockels/mussels. There is a large grassy area and a good kids playpark. The esplanade runs along from the Dirty Duck right the way to Bangor and beyond. I have rode my bike the full way and it is super, however on parts of the path, bikes are not permittable. I would go in the evening or when I think there will not be many other people around. I took my dog to Seapark on a weekly basis, he loved going for a swim. Great place for a picnic. Seapark has events on from time too time, fireworks at halloween etc. You can find Seapark on you way out of Holywood towards Bangor on the left hand side. Drive under the railway bridge and turn right where you will find a car park. Alternatively park near the Dirty Duck and walk along the esplanade for a nice stroll.

One of my favourite spots for a walk. Seapark is great as it offers a lovely park in and of itself…read morewith play facilities for kids as well as parking (limited when it gets really busy) and can also be used as the starting point for long costal walks. it also offers one of the best seaside views of Belfast Loch and it is good to see the big ships coming and going from the Harbour. On warmer days there is often a decent ice-cream van there too.

We took Ted here yesterday after work, but realised it was more of a children's park than a dog…read morewalking park. I don't think there was any other dogs in the park whilst we were there. The park is quite small, you could do a lap in less than 10 minutes. The park it's self is well maintained, grass cut short and nice flower beds. There is also clean toilets which it always a plus.

Recently we've been dong a voluntary tour of Belfast Parks and last night it was the turn of…read moreDrumglass Park on the Lisburn Road. Unlike other parks that act as shortcuts to get form one place to another, Drumglass is a purpose built facility for fun, sun bathing and general messing. The parks facilities include a path that runs around the perimeter that also acts as a running circuit, a play park with a nice rubber floor and some top notch equipment, a bandstand that could act as a shelter from the blazing summer sun or more likely the sun showers. Worth noting that there's at least 3 ice cream shops within 5 minutes walk of the park so if you fancy a stroll while simultaneously canceling out those burning calories you're in luck. Last night the park was littered with kids, dog walkers, joggers and sun worshipers. There's a really nice vibe t the park, I suppose that's because if you're in the park you're there to enjoy it rather than using it as a convenient walk way from one place to another. The park itself is well maintained and the council will close the gates at 9:30pm sharp in order to make sure it's looking sublime for the next day.