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: 74

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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

More Info
Facilities

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.
Riverside Park

Ballymoney

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2766 0230

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 Apr 2025to30 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 21:00

From:

1 Oct 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

From:

1 Oct 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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

Downpatrick

Address

61 Shore Road, Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 7NW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3621

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Cloghy Rocks is a wonderful location as a number of seals are often spotted here. There are a lot of different habitats which makes this area home to a variety of small shellfish and worms.

More Info
Facilities

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

Omagh

Address

186 Barony Road, Creggan, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT79 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8076 1112

info@ancreagan.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Set in breath-taking surroundings you can recharge your batteries and enjoy one of the many walks and cycle trails on the grounds and take in the sights and sounds as you pedal or walk through the open landscape and forest trails. Or perhaps just…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

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

Establishment Features
- Wifi
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)
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…

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Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark

Downpatrick

Address

Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6GQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4000

susan.mcclay@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark and recognised Area of Outstanding Beauty that seamlessly blends stunning landscapes, rich geological history, and vibrant cultural heritage.

More Info
Scrabo Country Park

Newtownards

Address

203A Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 1491

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

This charming park is situated around the upper slopes and top of Scrabo Hill, near the area of Newtownards. When visitors come and explore, they will be able to view the panoramic sights of Strangford Lough as well as the surrounding countryside.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Laganvale Farm

Lisburn

Address

55a Sandy Lane, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5TL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9460 0116

laganvalefarmplay@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

Laganvale Farm caters for all weather offering a super indoor soft play centre which can also be combined with our outdoor attractions down on the farm! Animals, pedal tractors and go-karts, sandpit fun and outdoor play for a great day out.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
128 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

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
24 reviews
Broughshane Waterfowl Park

Broughshane

Address

Little Acorn Wood, Broughshane, County Antrim, BT42 4RZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2586 2777

broughshane@nacn.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Special waterfowl pond and woodland in Broughshane, run by volunteers with lots of wildlife and outdoor fun for all the family. It's quite unique, being one of only two places in the world where all seven species of swan can be found.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

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

Portaferry

Address

Kearney Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8387

strangford@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Owned by the National Trust, it is a picturesque 18th century fishing village with scenic coastal walks. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen. A small visitor centre is open from dawn to dusk, as are the public toilets and car park.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ness and Ervey Woods Nature Reserves

Killaloo

Address

Ness Country Park, 50 Oughtagh Road, Killaloo, County Londonderry, BT47 3TR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7133 8417

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Set in the Burntollet Valley within Ness Country Park, this nature reserve provides the opportunity to explore peaceful woodland, a gorge and high waterfall.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

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