Family Friendly Walks

A great family day out doesn't have to be expensive.  Sometimes just going for a walk can be great fun and an opportunity to make some wonderful memories together.  

From exploring lakeside wanders, to woodland escapades in our forest parks we've plenty of local walks to choose from in Mid Ulster. Here's just a few of our family-friendly favourites. 

Drum Manor Forest Park

Serviced by a two large car parks with toilet facilities, childrens play park, beautiful gardens and lawn areas. Drum Manor Forest Park, just a few miles from Cookstown, offers waymarked trails and forest walks to suit all abilities. Step inside the old manor ruins and visit the Butterfly and Japenese gardens are unique to Mid Ulster. Great for a family day out, picnic or ramble, take binoculars and camera, good views and some natural wildlife spotting opportunities.   

Dungannon Park

Visit the beautiful Dungannon Park, a 70 acre oasis centred around an idyllic stillwater lake, but only 2 miles from Dungannon town centre.  Originally the private grounds of the Dungannon Park Estate granted to Sir Arthur Chichester in the early 1700s, it is now a public park owned by Mid Ulster District Council and a popular visitor location incorporating a fully serviced caravan park, fishing lake, tennis courts, barbeque area, orienteering trail and play park.

The Park Trail’s paths explore mature woodland, brightly-coloured flowerbeds and the magnificent 13-acre freshwater lake. The trail’s high ground offers the walker splendid viewpoints of surrounding townland and countryside with views as far as Lough Neagh on a clear day.

Drumnaph Nature Reserve

At the gateway to the Sperrin, this beautiful ancient woodland is one of the few remaining fragments of a great forest that once covered much of Mid-Ulster. Enjoy flower-rich woods or spotting Irish hares in the rush meadows.  This ancient woodland in County Londonderry with excellent walks, stunning wildlife and fascinating cultural connections.

Throughout the year Drumnaph Wood’s varied mix of habitats is a joy to explore. In spring the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells and other flowering plants. In summer, butterflies bring Drumnaph’s meadows and woodland edges to life, while brightly-coloured dragonflies patrol the bog cotton grass in wetland areas.

The graded walking trails guide you through the nature reserve where you will find plenty of places to relax and enjoy a picnic. You might see some rare breed cows and sheep used for conservation grazing and Pumpkin the Pig is never too far away. New learning trails where children can learn about the ancient stories and folklore of this area are due to open in 2021.  Whether you spend an hour or the whole day, this hidden gem has so much to offer.