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Ards Forest Park

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Ards Forest Park
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
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11 within 10 kms
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See what other travellers are saying
  • shelzaAuckland
    Auckland, New Zealand94 contributions
    A must do for all!
    This place is still lovely during the winter months. The nature trail is awesome for families. Whilst not really suitable for pram/push chair, popping baby in a front pack/sling, you’ll still walk with ease. The green trail seems wider I think due to possibly being open for walkers and bikes. A must do! The playground was fun too. Car park is €5 and the cafe hours are limited at this time of the year, so bring snacks and water jus in case it’s not open
    Visited January 2020
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 January 2020
  • Sean F
    Limerick, Ireland338 contributions
    Lovely Trails
    We spent a lovely afternoon here.We went on the trail that led to the lake and it was an easy walk. The park could do with having some leaflets obout the trails available. I would advise people to pay the €5 entry fee as it is a 3km walk from the road to the start of the trails.
    Visited July 2020
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 July 2020
  • Seamus Murphy
    Letterkenny, Ireland763 contributions
    Ards is more than a Forest Park
    Ards is a Forest Park but by the sea and at the moment it is free or was up to recently. You have a nice long scenic run in through a forest and then you meet the sea as it comes into the land. There is a nice car park with public toilets and they are free too. There are lots of different walks you can take through the woods or around the headlands above the many coves and beaches. You can ramble over the hills to Ards Friary for a bit of time with the Franciscan Friars. They not only look after your spiritual needs they feed you at their coffee shop. Returning to the car park there is a playground for those not keen on walking too far. Their parents can have coffee at a wee coffee shop. A great place and we'll run.
    Visited January 2021
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
126 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
20
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1
F Flanagan
Garvagh, UK3 contributions
Lovely place but Ticks Galore!
Jul 2023 • Family
Took the family there for day out. Absolutely beautiful place, well run and lots of different walks for the family. Nice coffee shop and play area. The beach and coastal views are beautiful. Five out of five for location.

My only negative comment would be the amount of ticks! After only lying on the ground for 10 minutes, I picked off 10+ ticks off my legs and coat. Likely due to the deer population in the Woodlands!

As long as you’re aware of the dangers of ticks and potential for lymes disease, then it’s a manageable problem, but is a little off-putting when you have to pick ticks off your children and yourself before getting in the car to return home.

As I say, I can’t fault and the site facilities, views and landscapes which are outstanding, just a pity about the unwelcome guests!
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ashmonman
Monaghan, Ireland178 contributions
Top class. Wonderful park
Jan 2023 • Couples
Was staying in letterkenny and took the half hour drive out to it. Absolutely first class and some place to spend a few hours.
5 euro entry fee. The walk we done was about 2 hours.
Beauiful well sign posted walks, a play park, exceptionally clean toilets, coffee shop, choice of beaches and coves. Every turn we took it just seemed to get better. Looking forward to a return trip.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penny B
3 contributions
Godawful
Aug 2022
We couldn't get in the main gate. It won't accept cash, phone payments or standard debit cards. It has to be contactless debit card. What an absolute joke! Drove to the Friary and parked for free.

The place is full of midges and ticks that spread Lyme disease. Virtually everyone there was walking a dog.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
near_and_far85
Derry, UK7 contributions
Beautiful place to spend the day
Jul 2022 • Family
Young children enjoyed the playground area and ice cream. Very convenient to have the beach right beside this area and a large Green for playing in too. Feel like we only touched the surface of this park and look forward to bringing family back to explore more of what it has to offer.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil W
2 contributions
Fantastic location
Jun 2022 • Couples
Fantastic location for walks of varying lengths. Lovely woodland and secluded sandy beaches. Well worth the €5 entrance fee (now contactless card payment)
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt
39 contributions
Beautiful Ards
Feb 2022 • Friends
Perfect for walking/hiking and bringing the dog out for a play on the numerous beaches. Beautiful area and lovely coffee and treats at the end!
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2020vision
Dundonald, Belfast.3,926 contributions
Very enjoyable !
Feb 2022 • Couples
Lovely place to spend the day .
Plenty of different walks with lots to see along the way .
A large children's playground and plenty of places to picnic .
It would be a great place for a family day out in the better weather .
Written 17 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R G
Dublin, Ireland971 contributions
Take a walk in the hugh country.
Aug 2021
This park is situated on a peninsula in Sheephaven Bay half ways between Dunfanaghy and Creeslough , you will find one of the easiest walks with the most rewarding views in Donegal .
Written 24 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seamus Murphy
Letterkenny, Ireland763 contributions
Ards is more than a Forest Park
Jan 2021 • Family
Ards is a Forest Park but by the sea and at the moment it is free or was up to recently. You have a nice long scenic run in through a forest and then you meet the sea as it comes into the land.
There is a nice car park with public toilets and they are free too. There are lots of different walks you can take through the woods or around the headlands above the many coves and beaches.
You can ramble over the hills to Ards Friary for a bit of time with the Franciscan Friars. They not only look after your spiritual needs they feed you at their coffee shop. Returning to the car park there is a playground for those not keen on walking too far. Their parents can have coffee at a wee coffee shop.
A great place and we'll run.
Written 23 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
Belfast, UK177 contributions
Stunnig place to spend a day
Sep 2020
Just a beautiful area, forest, sea and sand. I trip round to the friary is also very worthwhile. Great walks and amazing beaches.
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ARDS FOREST PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Ards Forest Park