Forest news and events

Find out about forest closures and other news about public forests and country parks in Northern Ireland.

Online booking opened on 1 February 2022

Online booking for the Forest Service managed caravan and campsites at Tollymore Forest Park, Glenariff Forest Park and Drum Manor Forest Park opened at noon on 1 February 2022.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council - Castlewellan Forest Park

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has assumed development and management responsibility for recreation in Castlewellan Forest Park. This includes the management of camping and caravanning at the park.

Enquiries should be made to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council by:

phone: 0330 137 4046

Camping and caravan bookings can be made online via the Visit Mourne tourism website

Rostrevor Forest - water supply

There is no water supply at the touring in the trees site in Rostrevor Forest. Forest Service is working to resolve the issue.

Somerset Forest thinning programme

Forest Service have started an extensive thinning programme in Somerset Forest. The work involves the felling and removal of selected trees to improve crop quality and maintain forest cover. It will also result in better timber quality and will improve biodiversity by reducing the density of trees in the forest.

Harvesting started on the week beginning 26 April 2021. Diversions will be in place during the thinning programme with restrictions during the work. Forest Service asks that all users of the forest follow the signage.

COVID-19 update

Toilet facilities will be open from around 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily at the following parks:

Forest parks

Castlewellan Forest Park
Drum Manor Forest Park
Glenariff Forest Park
Parkanaur Forest
Portglenone Forest
Tollymore Forest Park

Country parks

Castle Archdale Country Park
Crawfordsburn Country Park and Helens Bay (visitor centre 10.00 am to 4.00 pm)
Ness Country Park
Peatlands Park
Quoile Countryside Centre
Roe Valley Country Park
Scrabo Country Park

The Woodland’s Café at Crawfordsburn Country Park is open every day from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Al’s Coffee at Roe Valley Country Park is open daily from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

At times car parks may be closed temporarily to vehicles if busy.

Make sure you follow Public Health Agency guidance for COVID-19. Plan your visits in line with the COVID-19 guidance.

Paper bank notes

All £5.00 and £10.00 paper notes were taken out of circulation on the 30 September 2019 because they were each replaced with polymer notes. For this reason, Forest Service is unable to accept paper notes after this date.

Note that banks in Northern Ireland will still accept all Northern Ireland paper notes from their own customers, which can either be deposited into their account or exchanged for polymer notes.

Forest recreation charges

On event days, some charges apply to particular forests. There are also charges for the use of extra facilities in some forests - these apply to vehicles, people and to some activities and organised events.

You can get details of concessions for charities and community groups, caravanning and camping at this link:

Forest recreation charges

Report wildlife sightings online

In Northern Ireland, the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) collates wildlife records for both native and non-native species.

You can record your sightings on its website either as a single record event or you can register with them and send details through a free online account.

Record wildlife sightings online

Over 100 forests to explore

Northern Ireland has over 100 public forests you can visit. They’re great places for walking, exercising dogs, running, orienteering. In some you can organise events, go camping, caravanning, picnicking or horse riding. Find out more:

Forests

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