What to do and see in County Antrim, Northern Ireland: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

May 17, 2022 Layne Dawes

Discover the best top things to do in County Antrim, United Kingdom including Whitehead Conservation Area, Broughshane Environment Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust, Randalstown Forest Nature Reserve, Ballyboley Forest, Skernaghan Point, Straidkilly Nature Reserve, Dixon Park, Beach Road Nature Reserve, World of Owls, Portglenone Forest.
Restaurants in County Antrim

1. Whitehead Conservation Area

Kings Road, Whitehead Northern Ireland http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/supplementary_guidance/conservation/conservation_map/conservation_whitehead.htm
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Whitehead Conservation Area

Reviewed By Hanni_LR43 - Whitehead, United Kingdom

There is a great new artwork on show in the gardens of The Bank House, on Edward Road. The volunteers of Brighter Whitehead have woven a life-sized ploughman and horse from willow. One of their people, Bill Pollock, also restored a real antique plough to accompany the figures. They look very good. Meanwhile the public library has started a pilot for out-of-hours opening, which is going to be very useful. I took a history walking tour during the famous Victorian Street festival in November and heard many surprising stories such as the 90 ton spoil trains that would rumble though the town, or the people evacuated here from Belfast in World War II. There is a lot to see in this charming seaside town.

2. Broughshane Environment Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust

Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW Northern Ireland +44 28 2586 2777 http://www.bewwt.co.uk/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Broughshane Environment Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust

3. Randalstown Forest Nature Reserve

Randalstown Northern Ireland
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Randalstown Forest Nature Reserve

4. Ballyboley Forest

81 Upper Ballyboley Road, Larne BT40 2TH Northern Ireland http://www.outdoorni.com/local-outdoors/venues/ballyboley-forest/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Ballyboley Forest

5. Skernaghan Point

23 Browns Bay Rd, Islandmagee, Larne BT40 3RX, Islandmagee BT40 3RX Northern Ireland http://walkni.com/walks/skernaghan-point/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Skernaghan Point

6. Straidkilly Nature Reserve

Straidkilly Rd, Carnlough, Ballymena BT44 0LQ, Glenarm Northern Ireland http://www.ulsterwildlife.org/nature-reserves/straidkilly
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Straidkilly Nature Reserve

7. Dixon Park

Edward Avenue, Dixon Park, Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT40 1PU, United Kingdom, Larne Northern Ireland http://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/Dixon-PARK-Residents-Association-317641954968525/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Dixon Park

8. Beach Road Nature Reserve

Beach Road, Whitehead Northern Ireland http://www.beachroad.org.uk/
Excellent
48%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Beach Road Nature Reserve

Reviewed By Hanni_LR43 - Whitehead, United Kingdom

The peregrine falcons that hatched this year are still to be see on the cliffs of Whitehead quarry. Below where you walk is a field of wild flowers. You meet lots of extra walkers there these days.

9. World of Owls

32 Mount Shalgus Lane Randalstown Forest, Randalstown BT41 3LE Northern Ireland +44 28 9447 2307 [email protected] http://www.worldofowls.com
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 350 reviews

World of Owls

World of Owls is one of the largest most diverse collections of owls in the UK and Ireland. Winner of Best Staff Award by "World Host". Voted "Best Voluntary Contribution to Birds of Prey and Wildlife" by RSPCA. We have other birds of prey, reptiles, insects & other animals to see. There is a small children's play park, tea, coffee and light refreshments available, gift shop and it is wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for full details. It's a registered charity, all staff work for no reward to look after the animals and educate the guests. It is a licensed and regulated zoo not government funded. It is rustic and rural and the vast majority of the animals are rescued. (Covid-19 Update) Pandemic closure meant funding that was destined to upgrade the centre had to go on food and bills. Upgrade will be restarted soon. We are a working Animal Education Sanctuary in a forest setting not a disney type theme park.

Reviewed By Sightseer787911

We visited as a family of 4, children are 13 and 10. Since most of the animals are outdoors and there is a one way system in place it is very easy to be socially distant, it felt very safe. We really enjoyed seeing all of the owls, hawks and falcons on our way round and discovered that Harley the owl was in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable, we chatted with Mike for quite some time and he shared lots of facts with us. We also saw various reptiles, snakes, small birds and guinea pigs. It is very clear that the staff are passionate about the animals, they have recently acquired the guinea pigs from Belfast zoo and built them a 3 storey home. It is incredible that the staff are voluntary and that world of owls is a self funded charity, with visitor numbers being much reduced this year they’ve had to pause building new enclosures for the animals. It is clear that they need support to make this an even better experience and we will definitely return.

10. Portglenone Forest

Ballymena Road, Portglenone Northern Ireland http://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/tourism/things-to-do/parks-open-spaces/portglenone-forest
Excellent
68%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Portglenone Forest

Reviewed By 726danih - Ballymena, United Kingdom

Beautiful walks for kids dogs and adults take walking boots if it’s been raining beautiful place to visit

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