5 Stars - Worth your time if you enjoy nature and history…read more The beauty of the park...far-reaching. Put on your best walking or hiking shoes to get fully immersed, if you're able. The park boasts trails from moderate to challenging, beautiful visits, and a historical castle. To start, my family and I traversed the 2.2 mile Lakeside Walk trail from the Visitors Center to Glenveagh Castle to start. A shuttle can drive you there and back for a few Euros. On the way, the seemingly endless valley, lake, and mountain range, quickly eased my memory of the (tense) drive to the park on very narrow roads. The Castle itself costs money to walk through, but walking through the grounds of the Castle is free. The gardens are actively maintained and contain a beauty of their own. The history is fascinating and can be read at the park or beforehand online. After the gardens, we chose to continue along the trail by the lake (Glen/Bridle Path Walk) to view the approximately 120 foot tall Atelleen Burn waterfall on the opposite side, which we enjoyed. The shortest way back to the Visitors Center is same trail. A longer, higher, and more challenging trail (Viewpoint Trail) can also be taken. Walking back through the Castle grounds, we stopped in the restrooms and ordered a gelato and espresso from the truck. Nellie's Restaurant, located within the Visitors Center, offered some good food and beverages options when we returned, thankfully before the 5 pm close time. All told, we spent about 5 refreshing and energy-expending hours at the park, with much of the park left unexplored.

It's a big beautiful pl place with plenty of parking and plenty of walking. Good news is there's a…read moreshuttle bus to and from the castle the walk along the lock isn't too bad and it's a beautiful site to be seen. The shuttle buses go every three minutes and there's plenty of room for everyone when you get to the castle there's a formal Gardens. There's a place to have high tea. It's lovely grounds themselves are absolutely gorgeous. What work you want from a castle?

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.

great new adventure park for 3 to 10 year olds opened this summer. park in general offers good…read moreclean facilities. new astro turf football centre of excellence looks very impressive.

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.

Mesmerisingly beautiful forest park located in South Belfast which is less cultivated and more…read morenatural in style. Really comes into its own during autumn when leaves turn golden. There are numerous trails to follow whether your walking, running or just aimlessly wandering. The air is filled with birdsong and sounds of running water from the Lagan River; I never listen to music or podcasts when walking through Belvoir as the sounds of nature are so relaxing. This is fast becoming one of my favourite locations in Belfast.

Let me start by clarifying the name of this forest park. Despite the spelling, its name is…read morepronounced 'Beaver'. Yes, it's odd I know. So, anyhoo, it's got an odd name, what else can I tell you about Belvoir? Well, it's a beautiful green space close to the centre of Belfast and in my experience, one that not that many people know about. Obviously, there is plenty of space taken over by lush green trees and shrubs which is ideal for kids and dogs. I think dogs are meant to be kept on leads but not everyone sticks to that and as long as the dogs behave, no-one gets too bent out of shape. There's also a river running through the forest park which dogs can splash about in although I don't let the kids go in it as I have a little bit of a rat phobia. Squirrels are everywhere, so take some nuts and they will come quite close to you to eat them. Cultured types will also be interested in the historical aspects of the forest like the 12th century motte. More simple types like me will just enjoy the fresh air, the greenery and the squirrels.

This is one of Belfast's lesser known spots for a walk. Lady Dixon as its fondly known is awash…read morewith trees and flower gardens, it's especially scenic in autumn when the trees begin to change colour. The park itself is located on the Upper Malone Road and is well sign posted from the city's main highways. There's great parking and our four legged friends are more than welcome in the park. You could see the whole park in about 30 minutes but likewise you could spend all day navigating the different gardens. Gardening enthusiasts will find the perfectly pruned flower gardens particularly interesting. There's a coffee house at the far side of the garden but unfortunately we didn't make it that far. It really is s lovely spot for an afternoon walk. Who needs to pay in to a National Trust park when you've got Lady Dixon on your doorstep!

Lady Dixon Park is the perfect place for Saturday afternoon picnics, Sunday strolls and great place…read moreto walk the dog. The park itself is very well kept with cut grass and perfectly maintained rose gardens. There is lots of different sections to this park and many picnic tables so you will have no problem finding the perfect spot for your picnic. If you have come unprepared there is a coffee shop on the grounds somewhere (I'm not sure where though) so you should be able to grab a coffee for your walk. Great park especially on the rare occasion when the sun is shinning!