Watch as the Autumn leaves fall and paint your path, as you wander through Northern Ireland’s beautiful parks, gardens, and forests throughout the city and beyond. Collect colourful fall leaves along the way and take in the crisp autumn air.

Belfast

Stormont in Autumn

Stormont Estate

Stormont Estate is a woodland park open to the public and has beautiful gardens, walking and fitness trails and a children’s play park. The Estate has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s best green spaces with the prestigious Green Flag award. There are three woodland interactive trails within the public area that seek to connect visitors, including families and young people, with the rich biodiversity of the Stormont woodlands.

Child Playing in the Leaves at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park Autumn

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in south Belfast is one of the city’s most popular parks. Covering more than 128 acres, the park is made up of rolling meadows, copses, woodland and gardens.

Barnett Demesne

Barnett Demesne

Barnett Demesne opened to the public in 1951. Today, the park, in south Belfast, retains much of the character of the original estate. Barnett Demesne is named after William Barnett, the last owner of Malone House, which is a popular spot for walkers and joggers due to its proximity to the River Lagan, Shaw’s Bridge and nearby Clement Wilson Park.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The park has a lake which is home to water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons and migrant waders. There are two walking trails around the lake.

Fawlty Towers at Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle Estate

Botanic Gardens is a public garden in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Occupying 28 acres of south Belfast, the gardens are popular with office workers, students and tourists. They are located on Stranmillis Road in Queen’s Quarter, with Queen’s University nearby. The Ulster Museum is located at the main entrance.

Walkers Climbing Divis Mountain

Divis and Black Mountain

Travelling from Black Mountain on to Divis, walkers are rewarded with spectacular views of Belfast Lough, the Ards Peninsula, the Isle of Man, Scotland, the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Mountains on the one side, and on the other the Sperrins, Antrim Plateau and Lough Neagh. The hills are a combination grassland and heathland bog, and are home to a host of wildlife and archaeological remains.

Beyond Belfast

Cairn Wood Forest Trail

Cairn Wood

In the hilly hinterland of Holywood, this forest offers walks on well marked paths through a mixture of mature conifers and young trees. This area is a prime location for rambling and orienteering, with well marked trails within the wood. The wood offers a choice of 3 walks from the car park through the mixed woodland. A popular site for local dog walkers.

Jordanstown Lough Shore Park Family Walking

Jordanstown Loughshore Park

Located in Newtownabbey on the shores of Belfast Lough, enjoy panoramic views from Belfast to Bangor. The park has an excellent modern play area for children aged 3 to 12 and energetic adults will enjoy the outdoor gym. After a walk or cycle along the excellent path that goes between the site and Belfast, you can enjoy a picnic with panoramic views of Belfast Lough.

Antrim Lough Shore Park

Antrim Lough Shore Park

Situated on the shores of Lough Neagh, Antrim Lough Shore Park is an area of natural beauty with many attractions and activities to enjoy. The Lough Shore Park is a magnet for those seeking relaxation by the water’s edge, offering delightful spots to enjoy a picnic, feed the swans or walk along the many pathways. The park is also popular for water-based activities, archery and climbing.

Family Walking at Lagan Valley Regional Park

Lagan Valley Regional Park

Between Stranmillis in Belfast and Union Locks in Lisburn, Lagan Valley Regional Park covers 4,500 acres of countryside and 11 miles of riverbank. The Regional Park is a mosaic of countryside, urban parks, heritage sites, nature reserves and riverside trails. Take the towpath by River Lagan offering miles of level walking in tranquil, attractive surroundings.

Family walking through Hillsborough Forest

Hillsborough Forest

Hillsborough Forest is set in the picturesque Georgian village of Hillsborough and sits just a few minutes’ walk from Hillsborough Castle, adjacent to Hillsborough Fort. The whole of the lake area is a forest wildlife sanctuary and is home to a wide variety of birds and animals. After your walk, enjoy some well-earned refreshments at Percy’s Coffee in the carpark or in one of Hillsborough’s excellent cafes, restaurants or pubs.

Ward Park

Ward Park

A perfect park in the centre of Bangor and an ideal spot to enjoy the local wildlife and feed the ducks. It also has a chain of small lakes providing wildfowl sanctuary with many interesting specimens and dry pens containing a large variety of exotic birds.A public air raid shelter still stands in Ward Park, a reminder of one of the raids on the town.

Redburn Country Park

Redburn Country Park

Redburn Country Park is set on a beautiful escarpment above Belfast Lough. There are 7km of pathways with spectacular views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills. A variety of walks are available in Redburn. All walks start from the main car park.

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