Wildlife & Zoos

It’s time to have a chat about the birds and the bees. Now, before you drop down in a faint, don’t worry. We’re just here to tell you the best places in Northern Ireland to catch sight of our great wildlife. You don’t even have to be an avid birder, twitcher or ‘the next David Attenborough’ to get friendly with fabulous fauna (but if you are, lucky you). All you have to do is visit any of our amazing parks and forests for access to our wonderful Ulster wildlife. Or have a day out at one of our great zoos, farms, aquariums or animal sanctuaries. Well, that’s what a little birdie told us, anyway.

Bring your cheeky little monkeys to Belfast Zoo

At Belfast Zoo, you have 55 acres to roam around and over 130 species to see. Get up close with Asian elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Barbary lions and Sumatran tigers, California sea lions as well as an array of sifakas, gorillas, chimps and gibbons. You’ll also see native red squirrels, barn owls and Irish black honeybees. Book in advance and you could feed a penguin or lunch with a lemur.

There’s loads at Exploris Aquarium… so dive in

You’ll find this awesome aquarium in Portaferry where you’ll get a diver’s view of marine life from around the world. Ever tickle a shark’s belly or feel a sea urchin’s spikes? You will! Visit the Seal Sanctuary, the Tropical Ocean - home to over 100 species - and meet a family of Asian Short Clawed Otters…always a big hit.

We’ve special places reserved just for you

Derry-Londonderry’s Magilligan Point Nature Reserve is the tip of one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles. In summer, you’ll notice wild flowers adding a splash of colour to the dunes, like harebells, bird's-foot-trefoil, thyme and pyramidal orchids. On warm days, spot butterflies like the Common Blue or Meadow Brown - or even the rare six-spot Burnet moth. If you’re a birder, waders and wildfowl are in abundance.

Crom Estate in Fermanagh is one of Ireland's most important nature conservation areas. Here, you’ll find wild deer, pine marten and many rare species of butterflies. You can also get a close look at all eight species of native bats!

What can your little nature detectives do in Spring/Summer?

Apart from quacking the case, they can spot puffins, dolphins, butterflies and badgers in some brilliant wildlife parks.

In Derry-Londonderry, you’ll find Ness Country Park alive with birdsong from willow warblers, black caps, chiffchaffs and resident thrushes. In its Burntollet river, watch dippers bobbing away or go in search of the unusual Purple Hairstreak butterfly. On Antrim’s Rathlin Island, spot gannets, dolphins or seals basking on the rocks. Take the Rathlin Trail where volunteers will help you spot the comical antics of puffins. Watch seabird chicks perch precariously on cliff edges as well as guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills.

Oxford Island in Armagh is a fantastic family day out on Lough Neagh. With miles of walking trails, you’ll walk through woodland past ponds and wildflower meadows. Explore its bird hides and see if you can spot mute swans, mallards or grey herons. Or watch out for sparrowhawks and buzzards soaring over the treetops.

Listed in the top ten gardens of the world, County Down’s Mount Stewart is a treasure trove of wildlife. Your gang will be fascinated by everything from bees buzzing in the blooms to ducks, swans and tadpoles starting life on the lake. Or visit The Lookout to spot seals in Strangford Lough through telescopes.

Things for nature detectives to do in Autumn/Winter

At Castle Espie in Down, pick up a bag of seeds and have rare and endangered ducks and geese eating from your hand. In the same county, Tollymore Forest Park is where you can spot the elusive red squirrel. Game of Thrones® fans will also spot that it’s the Haunted Forest where the direwolves lived! Gosford Forest Park in Armagh is the perfect place to get up close to three varieties of red deer found in Ireland. Stroll down the boardwalk at Antrim’s Portmore Lough to spot greylag geese, whooper swans and thousands of ducks. You’ll also find a herd of Konik ponies that graze the land and help create perfect conditions for lapwings. At the stunning An Creagan in Tyrone, keep an eye on tree trunks for passing buzzards, sparrowhawks and brown long-eared owls. Or go batty at Castle Caldwell in Fermanagh - a great place for a bat safari.

Time for some fun on the farm

You’ll also find Open Farms dotted around where your gang can muck about all day. Like Antrim’s Laganvale Farm near Lisburn, Rosepark Farm in Ballymoney, or Kilcreggan Urban Farm in Carrickfergus. At Streamvale Open Farm outside Belfast, your kids can cuddle puppies, rabbits and chicks. Or for a hoot of a time, the World Of Owls in Randalstown is Northern Ireland’s only owl, bird of prey and exotic animal education centre. In Down, The Ark Open Farm in Newtownards is perfect for some family farm fun. Meet and greet the gentle alpacas at Cranfield Alpacas in Kilkeel (Winner of Best Tourism Experience (Small) at the Giant Spirit Awards 2022). Over In Fermanagh, have fun on the farm at the Fun Farm in Enniskillen. Or give it welly in Armagh’s Tannaghmore Gardens Farm & Museum in Craigavon.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to go wild in Northern Ireland!

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Number of results: 73

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
236 reviews
Portstewart Strand and Barmouth

Portstewart

Address

Portstewart Strand, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7083 6396

portstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering sand dunes of Portrush Strand Beach. This area of natural beauty and of scientific interest is owned and managed by the National Trust.

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
405 reviews
Crawfordsburn Country Park

Helen's Bay

Address

Bridge Road South, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1JT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3621

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

With tranquil walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens and a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.

Price
Free

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Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Car Parking is available at the Main Car Park, exit road lay by, Fort Road Car Park, Grey Point Fort and Sea Park, Coastguard Avenue.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
99 reviews
Springhill

Moneymore

Address

20 Springhill Road, Moneymore, County Londonderry, BT45 7NQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8674 8210

springhill@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Step back to 1912 as you experience the Lenox-Conyngham home on the morning they left to board Titanic. See the exhibition, featuring pieces from the Titanic era, including 11-year-old Eileen Lenox-Conyngham’s letter, written on Titanic headed paper.

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- Dogs accepted by arrangement
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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
15 reviews
Lagan Valley Regional Park

Belfast

Address

3 Lock Keeper's Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT8 7XT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9049 1922

admin@laganvalley.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Lagan Valley Regional Park is recognised as Northern Ireland's only Regional Park. It covers an area of 4,200 acres and extends 11 miles along both sides of the River Lagan between Stranmillis, Belfast to Union Locks, Lisburn.

Price
Free

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Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Davagh Forest

Cookstown

Address

Davagh Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT79 8JH

Telephone
+44 (0) 3000 132 132

tourism@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

The true definition of a hidden gem, Davagh Forest is an International Dark Sky Park and lies approximately 6 miles north west of Cookstown in an untouched rural landscape of rolling hills and sweeping forests.

Price
Free

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Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
6 reviews
Minnowburn

Belfast

Address

Edenderry Road, Belfast, County Down, BT8 8LE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 7787

belfast@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Minnowburn is 128 acres of woodland and countryside, owned by the National Trust and situated between the Giant's Ring and Lagan. A network of paths allow visitors to enjoy all of the property, including a stunning viewpoint over the Lagan Valley.

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1 reviews
Larne Promenade

Larne

Address

Tower Road, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8222

visitorinfo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Enjoy a lovely walk along a one mile long stretch of Promenade running from Larne Leisure Centre, parallel with the Causeway Coastal route. Pass by Waterloo Bay, view lots of bird life and dramatic scenery or walk to Town Parks and the Coast Road.

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark

Address

County Fermanagh

Telephone
+ 353 (0)719 853 692

info@cuilcaghlakelands.org

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and the gentle rolling lowlands of Counties Fermanagh and Cavan, stretching from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores…

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- Parking (free)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
86 reviews
Mountpanther Farm Park

Clough

Address

39 Dundrum Road, Clough, County Down, BT30 8SJ

Telephone
07715 644145

info@mountpanther.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

We are a family run farm park based just outside Newcastle, County Down. Established in 2017, we have been providing families with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for over 5 years now.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
65 reviews
Redburn Country Park

Holywood

Address

Old Holywood Road, Holywood, County Down, BT4 2HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3621

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

Redburn Country Park is set on an escarpment above Belfast Lough. There are 7km of pathways with spectacular views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills.

Price
Free

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Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
23 reviews
Ecos Nature Park

Ballymena

Address

Kernohans Lane, Broughshane Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 7QA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2564 4046

parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

Ecos Nature Park is an oasis of wildlife, close to the heart of Ballymena town with 8 kilometres of flat footpaths leading visitors around 220 acres of parkland that includes maturing woodland, peaceful lake and ponds, grazed meadows and hay meadows.

Price
Free

More Info
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Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
127 reviews
Glenpark Estate & Open Farm

Gortin

Address

150 Glenpark Road, Gortin, County Tyrone, BT79 7SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8299 0004

info@glenparkestate.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

Explore the grounds & meet the farm animals. Come and take a walk through history as you explore our beautiful grounds, replica historic buildings and meet the rare breeds in our open farm. We also have a farm shop, children's play area, soft play…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 08:00 - 20:00

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Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Oxford Island Nature Reserve

Craigavon

Address

Discovery Centre, Annaloist Road, Craigavon, County Armagh, BT66 6NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3832 2205

kinnego.marina@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Oxford Island National Nature Reserve is a peninsula created by successive lowering of Lough Neagh. Four miles of footpaths, five birdwatching hides, woodland, ponds, wildflower meadows, picnic and play areas.

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