Natural Splendour

Spring and summer in the City of Lisburn mean a burst of colour and floral splendour.  Spend an afternoon exploring the picturesque villages of Hillsborough and Moira where spectacular displays of flowers mean a surprise is around every corner.

Visitors can enjoy the delights of the City's award-winning displays and indeed the Council has won awards at both Chelsea and Dublin flower shows.

The City also has a multitude of beautiful parks and gardens where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery or take a walk along wonderful nature trails or River Lagan towpath.

CASTLE GARDENS, LISBURN

Open all year

Tel: 028 92509250

Set in Lisburn's Historic Quarter, this is the original site of Lisburn Castle by Sir Fulke Conway, the founder of what was then the town of Lisnagarvey.  The Castle burned down in the great fire of 1707 when most of Lisburn was destroyed.  The only remaining feature of the Castle is the entrance gateway built in 1677.

The larger monument in the park commemorates Sir Richard Wallace.  Among Sir Richard's legacies to the town are Wallace Park and several ornate drinking fountains in Lisburn.

MOIRA DEMESNE

Open all year

Tel: 028 92660038

Over 40 acres of parkland with picnic sites and children's play area facilitating beautiful walks.  Moira Demesne is situated off the main street and contains a varied selection of award-winning rose beds, providing a quiet escape from the busy village.

LAGAN VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

Open all year

Tel: 028 90491922

Some 4000 acres of countryside incorporating 10 miles of riverbanks and beautiful scenery which follows the River Lagan Towpath, making this a rambler's paradise.

WALLACE PARK, LISBURN

Open all year

Tel: 028 92660038

Located in the heart of Lisburn and covering 25 acres of mature parkland, Wallace Park is ideal for families with a child's play area and a lot of gentle walks.  It takes its name from Sir Richard Wallace who left many legacies to the town.

COLIN GLEN FOREST PARK

Open all year

163 Stewartstown Road

Dunmurry

BT17 0HW

Tel: 028 90614115

Fax: 028 90601694

Email: info@colinglentrust.org

Web: www.colinglentrust.org

Visitors Centre:

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Dominated by Black Mountain (1,100ft) this 200 acre park boasts the Rambling Hole Waterfall and wonderful nature trails.  You might also be lucky enough to see the wild orchids along the banks of the river.  The visitor centre has a café and golf complex nearby.  From there a broadleaf woodland of Oak, Ash, Beech, Willow and Hazel trees, as well as a range of wild flowers, insects and birds including Grey Herons, Sparrowhawks and Treecreepers can be uncovered.

HILLSBOROUGH FOREST

Open all year (except for the first Sunday in January)

Tel: 028 43772240

"The Forest is set in the picturesque village of Hillsborough and is adjacent to Hillsborough Fort.  Way marked routes offer a variety of different walks through the lake woodlands, covering an area of 78 hectares (almost 200 acres).  The whole of the lake area has been designated as a Site of Local Nature Conservation Interest and is home to a wide variety of water fowl, woodland birds and plant life".