Belvoir Park Forest
Belvoir Park Forest is a working forest within a city. It is a vibrant forest with a variety of wildlife and a range of trees within easy reach of Belfast's outer ring road.
Activities
There are several way marked trails, starting and finishing at the forest car park.
Although cycling is not available in Belvoir Park Forest, there are other forests you can cycle in:
To arrange a special event or activity in this forest, such as sporting events or educational visits, contact the recreation manager at Castlewellan Forest Park.
Occasionally there may be restricted access to parts of the forest during work or other forest operations. Pay attention to safety signage.
About this forest
The forest opened in 1961 and covers 75 hectares along the south bank of the River Lagan.
There are a number of historic sites within the forest, including the Norman motte which dates back to the 12th century.
The estate was enclosed by the Hills, a plantation family, around the 1740s. They built a house where the car park is now and the existing buildings, which date from the same era, were farm buildings belonging to the estate.
The Ice House, built into the side of the motte, also dates from this time. These features are ideal for educational outings and school visits can be arranged by contacting Castlewellan Forest Park.
How to get there
From Belfast, take the motorway M1 to Junction 2. Turn left onto Stockmans Lane, go under the bridge and continue straight ahead onto Balmoral Avenue to its junction with the Malone Road.
Turn right for about half a mile to the roundabout at House of Sport (Sport NI). Keep left for about one mile. Turn left at the traffic lights at Old Milltown Road and follow the signpost for Belvoir Park Forest.