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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Mourne Alpacas Trekking and Cria Watch Experiences

Dromara

Address

60 Levallyreagh Road, Dromara, County Down, BT25 2DG

Telephone
+44 (0)7918 719 595

bookings@mournealpacas.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Trek with one alpaca, walking in pastures with over 100 more. Your experience includes a fascinating talk about the life of alpacas in our very large breeding herd, followed by a trek leading your own or walking with a friend leading an alpaca,…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
- Ramp to main entrance
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Riverside Park

Ballymoney

Address

8 Armour Avenue, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 7AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7034 7034

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

A pleasant urban 40-acre Park in the heart of Ballymoney Town, in which to enjoy a variety of riverside walks and natural biodiversity.

Dates

From:

1 Oct 2024to31 Mar 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Binevenagh Nature Reserve

Limavady

Address

Binevenagh National Nature Reserve, Leighery Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 0JG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7035 9977

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Binevenagh is a tranquil area where the sights of Lough Foyle and Donegal can be seen on a clear day. This reserve is part of the northernmost outcropping of the Antrim Plateau as molten lava poured out over the surface 60 million years ago.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
26 reviews
Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW)

Belfast

Address

100 Airport Road West, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9046 1458

belfast.lough@rspb.org.uk

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Visit RSPB NI’s nature reserve right in the heart of the bustling Belfast Harbour Estate and prepare to be WoW-ed!
Enjoy panoramic views of the Lough, the birds and wildlife which call the reserve home. Within this modern visitor centre, there is…

Dates

From:

1 Nov 2024to31 Mar 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £3.00 Per Ticket

More Info
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

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
38 reviews
Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve and Countryside Centre

Downpatrick

Address

Quoile Countryside Centre, 5 Quay Road, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7JB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4461 5520

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

The Reserve provides a relaxing natural retreat and offers visitors tranquil riverside and woodland walks.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Free Car Parking is available all year round with 4 car parks to choose from. One is located on the Quoile Road, another at the Quoile Countryside Centre on Quay Road and two additional parking areas further along Quay Road.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
42 reviews
Ardress House

Portadown

Address

64 Ardress Road, Portadown, County Armagh, BT62 1SQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8778 4753

ardress@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Ardress is nestled in the apple orchards of County Armagh and offers afternoons of fun and relaxation for everyone. Built in the 17th century as a farmhouse, Ardress was remodelled in Georgian times.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Eastwell Farm Alpacas

Carrowdore

Address

6 Ballyblack Road East, Carrowdore, County Down, BT22 2HH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7734 905 152

eastwellfarm@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Whether you're on holiday, celebrating a special occasion, looking for a unique adventure with the kids or just mad about alpacas, this experience will be one to remember and a great activity for all to enjoy. All visits are personal and cater to…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car 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

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
90 reviews
The People’s Park

Ballymena

Address

Doury Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6JA

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 124 5000

Parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Public Park

45-acre urban park in the heart of Ballymena with something to do for all the family - you can check out the lake full of ducks, modern playground, urban art, sports facilities, delightful flowers and onsite community initiatives.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Drumnaph Nature Reserve

Maghera

Address

15 Halfgayne Road, Maghera, County Londonderry, BT46 5PB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 7954 9978

info@drumnaph.org

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Nestled on the edge of the Sperrins, the Reserve boasts a rich variety of habitats including ancient woodland, wetland, bog and meadow with the Grillagh River running along its edge. It is a haven for wildlife and you are sure to get a glimpse of…

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
113 reviews
Peatlands Park

Dungannon

Address

33 Derryhubbert Road, Dungannon, County Armagh, BT71 6NW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3839 9195

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

We invite you to come and explore Peatlands Park. This beautiful area has a wonderful wilderness appeal and is situated near the shores of Lough Neagh just off the MI at exit 13 south of Dungannon.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - The car park operates a traffic plate system on the exit so vehicles may still leave the car park after site closure. Please note that car parks may be temporarily closed at times to support social distancing if sites become particularly busy or crowded. Make sure that you follow Public Health Agency guidelines and maintain social distancing at all times.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
20 reviews
Portmore Lough Nature Reserve

Aghalee

Address

George's Island Road, Aghalee, County Antrim, BT67 0DW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9265 1936

Laura.Smith@rspb.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

For those who enjoy the outdoors, a visit to the RSPB’s reserve at Portmore Lough is a great way to spend a few hours any time of year. Visitors can enjoy impressive panoramic views of the reserve from the viewing platform and lough-side hide.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking