List of parks and gardens in Belfast
Encyclopedia
Belfast
, Northern Ireland
has over forty public parks. The Forest of Belfast is a partnership between government and local groups, set up in 1992 to manage and conserve the city's parks and open spaces. They have also commissioned more than 30 public sculptures since 1993. In 2006, the City Council
also set aside GB£
8 million to continue this work. The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club
was founded in 1863 and is administered by National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.
One of the most popular parks is Botanic Gardens
in the Queen's Quarter
. Built in the 1830s and designed by Sir Charles Lanyon
, Botanic Gardens Palm House is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear and cast iron glasshouse
. Attractions in the park also include the Tropical Ravine, a humid jungle glen built in 1889, rose gardens and public events ranging from live opera broadcasts to pop concerts. U2
played here in 1997 and the Tennents Vital
festival takes place in the gardens each summer.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
, to the south of the city centre, attracts thousands of visitors each year to its International Rose Garden. Rose Week in July each year boasts over 20,000 blooms. It has an area of 128 acre (0.51799808 km²) of meadows, woodland and gardens and also features a Princess Diana
Memorial Garden, a Japanese Garden, a walled garden, and the Golden Crown Fountain commissioned in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
celebrations.
Woodvale Park is traditional City Park, which provides a range of passive and active recreation. The main facilities include Bowling Greens, Soccer pitches, a Kick about area and Play area. A network of paths through rolling lawns, shrubs borders and mature trees link these facilities. Historically Woodvale Park has been one of the main parks for the 26,000 people who make up the Greater Shankill area, due to regeneration in the area the population is increasing.
History
Woodvale Park became Belfast’s fourth public park when it opened in 1888. The land was bought by Belfast Corporation from Reverend Glover. He had lived in a house called Woodville that once stood in the park. The park was due to be called Shankill Park, but the name was changed to Woodvale at the last minute. The opening was set for 3.00pm on Saturday 18 August 1888. By 3.35pm the dignitaries had not turned up and so one of the rangers took the key admit the large crowd. The park included a large pond, which was used by local people in wintertime for skating. Cricket was first played in the park in1894, although the authorities were wary of possible injury to other park users. The pond was filled in after the Second World War and a children’s playground established in its place.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
has over forty public parks. The Forest of Belfast is a partnership between government and local groups, set up in 1992 to manage and conserve the city's parks and open spaces. They have also commissioned more than 30 public sculptures since 1993. In 2006, the City Council
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
also set aside GB£
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
8 million to continue this work. The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club
Belfast Naturalists' Field Club
The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club is a club of naturalists based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1863, the club was an important part of the education system for Victorian naturalists and worked largely through first-hand field studies...
was founded in 1863 and is administered by National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.
One of the most popular parks is Botanic Gardens
Belfast Botanic Gardens
Belfast Botanic Gardens is a public park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Occupying of south Belfast, the gardens are popular with office workers, students and tourists. They are located on Stranmillis Road in Belfast's university area, with Queen's University nearby...
in the Queen's Quarter
Queen's Quarter, Belfast
Queen's Quarter is the southern-most quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland and named after Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland's largest university...
. Built in the 1830s and designed by Sir Charles Lanyon
Charles Lanyon
Sir Charles Lanyon DL, JP was an English architect of the 19th century. His work is most closely associated with Belfast, Northern Ireland.-Biography:Lanyon was born in Eastbourne, Sussex in 1813...
, Botanic Gardens Palm House is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear and cast iron glasshouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
. Attractions in the park also include the Tropical Ravine, a humid jungle glen built in 1889, rose gardens and public events ranging from live opera broadcasts to pop concerts. U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
played here in 1997 and the Tennents Vital
Tennents ViTal
Tennent's ViTal is an annual music festival in Northern Ireland. It was first held near Botanic Gardens in 2002 then later moved to Ormeau Park in 2007, both of these venues were in Belfast...
festival takes place in the gardens each summer.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is a park in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, covering almost and is accessible from the Upper Malone Road. It includes meadows, woodland, riverside fields, formal Rose gardens, a walled garden and a Japanese garden, as well as a children's playground, coffee...
, to the south of the city centre, attracts thousands of visitors each year to its International Rose Garden. Rose Week in July each year boasts over 20,000 blooms. It has an area of 128 acre (0.51799808 km²) of meadows, woodland and gardens and also features a Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
Memorial Garden, a Japanese Garden, a walled garden, and the Golden Crown Fountain commissioned in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was the international celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries, upon the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50...
celebrations.
Woodvale Park is traditional City Park, which provides a range of passive and active recreation. The main facilities include Bowling Greens, Soccer pitches, a Kick about area and Play area. A network of paths through rolling lawns, shrubs borders and mature trees link these facilities. Historically Woodvale Park has been one of the main parks for the 26,000 people who make up the Greater Shankill area, due to regeneration in the area the population is increasing.
History
Woodvale Park became Belfast’s fourth public park when it opened in 1888. The land was bought by Belfast Corporation from Reverend Glover. He had lived in a house called Woodville that once stood in the park. The park was due to be called Shankill Park, but the name was changed to Woodvale at the last minute. The opening was set for 3.00pm on Saturday 18 August 1888. By 3.35pm the dignitaries had not turned up and so one of the rangers took the key admit the large crowd. The park included a large pond, which was used by local people in wintertime for skating. Cricket was first played in the park in1894, although the authorities were wary of possible injury to other park users. The pond was filled in after the Second World War and a children’s playground established in its place.
Full list
| Name of park | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Park Alexandra Park, Belfast Alexandra Park is a Victorian park situated in north Belfast. It is named after Princess Alexandra and was opened in 1888. As is typical for parks of the period, it has a formal layout that includes tree lined avenues. It also contains play areas for children.... |
near Antrim Road, north Belfast | |
| Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park | Inverary Avenue, Holywood Road, east Belfast | Commonly known as Inverary Playing Fields |
| Belfast Castle Belfast Castle Belfast Castle is set on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland in a prominent position above sea level. Its location provides unobstructed views of the city of Belfast and Belfast Lough.-History:... |
near Antrim Road, north Belfast | |
| Barnett Demesne | near Shaw's Bridge, south Belfast | |
| Belmont Park | Cairnburn Road, east Belfast | Semi-wild |
| Botanic Gardens Belfast Botanic Gardens Belfast Botanic Gardens is a public park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Occupying of south Belfast, the gardens are popular with office workers, students and tourists. They are located on Stranmillis Road in Belfast's university area, with Queen's University nearby... |
University area, south Belfast | Contains Palm House and Tropical Ravine |
| Carnanmore Park | near Stewartstown Road, south-west Belfast | |
| Carmena Allen Memorial Park | Braniel Braniel Braniel, is a large housing estate in East Belfast, Northern Ireland. Two small estates, Roddens and Glenview are located in the area, and are often referred to the Braniel. It is a predominantly Protestant area, with the majority of residents being loyalist or unionist... , east Belfast |
Better known as Braniel Park or sometimes Sam's Park |
| Carr's Glen Linear Park | Ballysillan Road, north Belfast | |
| Cavehill Cavehill Cavehill, historically known as Ben Madigan , is a basaltic hill overlooking the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It forms part of the southeastern border of the Antrim Plateau. It is distinguished by its famous 'Napoleon's Nose', a basaltic outcrop which resembles the profile of the famous... Country Park |
near Antrim Road, north Belfast | Two time Green Flag Award Green Flag Award The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards... winner |
| City Hall Belfast City Hall Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:... |
Donegall Square, central Belfast | |
| Clarawood Millennium Park | near Knock Road, east Belfast | |
| Clement Wilson Park | Newforge Lane, south Belfast | |
| Comber Greenway The Comber Greenway The Comber Greenway is a traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network, in development along the old Belfast-Comber railway line. The cycle path starts on Dee Street in Belfast and finishes at Comber. Now completed the Greenway provides an eco-friendly cycle path with views of Stormont and... |
East Belfast to Comber Comber Comber is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 5 miles south of Newtownards, at the northern end of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 8,933 people in the 2001 Census. Comber is part of the Borough of Ards... |
Seven mile cycle route along path of a disused railway |
| Dover Street Millennium Park | near Shankill Road, west Belfast | |
| Dr Pitt Memorial Park | Newtownards Road, east Belfast | |
| Drumglass Park | Lisburn Road, south Belfast | Also called Cranmore or Marlborough Park |
| Dunville Park | Falls Road, west Belfast | |
| Falls Park | Falls Road, west Belfast | Facing Milltown cemetery Milltown Cemetery Milltown Cemetery is a large cemetery in west Belfast, Northern Ireland.It lies within the townland of Ballymurphy, between Falls Road and the M1 motorway. Milltown Cemetery opened in 1869 and there are now approximately 200,000 of Belfast's citizens buried there. Most of those buried there are... |
| Finlay Park | Whitewell Road, north Belfast | |
| Forthriver Park | Ballygomartin Road, west Belfast | |
| Gasworks | Ormeau Road Ormeau Road The Ormeau Road is a road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ormeau Park is adjacent to it. It forms part of the A24.-History:Having previously been the home of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, a road was first built in 1815, when it was known more commonly as the New Ballynafeigh Road... , south Belfast |
Business park |
| Giant's Park Giant's Park Giant's Park is a planned public park, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The proposed site is the Dargan Road Landfill site on the northern shore of Belfast Lough... |
Dargan Road, north-east Belfast | Proposal for future park |
| Giant's Ring Giants Ring, Belfast The Giant's Ring is a henge monument at Ballynahatty, near Shaw's Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland preserved by Viscount Dungannon. It can be viewed plainly using Bing Maps at 54 deg 32 min North and 5 deg 56 min West... |
Ballynahatty Ballynahatty, County Down Ballynahatty is small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the southern edge of Belfast. It contains the Giants Ring, a henge monument, consisting of a circular enclosure, 200m in diameter, surrounded with a 4m high earthwork bank with five entrances, and a small... , south Belfast |
|
| Glenbank Park | Ligoniel Road, north-west Belfast | |
| Glencairn Park | Glencairn Road, west Belfast | |
| Greenville Park | Grand Parade, Castlereagh Road, east Belfast | |
| Grovelands | Stockman's Lane, south-west Belfast | |
| King William Park | near Lisburn Road, south Belfast | one of Belfast's smallest parks |
| Knocknagoney Linear Park | Holywood Road, east Belfast | |
| Lagan Meadows | along the River Lagan River Lagan The River Lagan is a major river in Northern Ireland which runs 40 miles from the Slieve Croob mountain in County Down to Belfast where it enters Belfast Lough, an inlet of the Irish Sea. The River Lagan forms much of the border between County Antrim and County Down. It rises as a tiny fast... , south Belfast |
partial nature reserve |
| Lenadoon Millennium Park | near Stewartstown Road, west Belfast | |
| Ligoniel Park | Ligoniel Road, north-west Belfast | |
| Loughside Park | Shore Road, north Belfast | |
| Marrowbone Millennium Park | Oldpark Road, north Belfast | |
| Michelle Baird Memorial Park | Forthriver Road, west Belfast | |
| Musgrave Park | Stockman's Lane, south-west Belfast | 2010 Green Flag Award winner |
| Northwood Linear Park | Shore Road, north Belfast | |
| Orangefield Park | Orangefield Lane, north Belfast | |
| Ormeau Park Ormeau Park Ormeau Park is the oldest municipal park in Belfast, Northern Ireland, having been officially opened to the public in 1871. It is owned and run by Belfast City Council and is one of the largest and busiest parks in the city and contains a variety of horticulture, woodland, wildlife and sporting... |
Ormeau Road, south Belfast | |
| Roddens Park | Braniel Braniel Braniel, is a large housing estate in East Belfast, Northern Ireland. Two small estates, Roddens and Glenview are located in the area, and are often referred to the Braniel. It is a predominantly Protestant area, with the majority of residents being loyalist or unionist... , east Belfast |
Not to be confused with a near-by street with the same name |
| Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is a park in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, covering almost and is accessible from the Upper Malone Road. It includes meadows, woodland, riverside fields, formal Rose gardens, a walled garden and a Japanese garden, as well as a children's playground, coffee... |
Upper Malone Road, south Belfast | Annual Rose Week every July |
| Springhill Millennium Park | Springhill Aveune, Springfield Road, west Belfast | |
| Springfield Park | Springfield Road, west Belfast | |
| Victoria Park | Park Avenue near Holywood Road, east Belfast | Contains a lake |
| Waterworks | between Antrim Road and Cavehill Road, north Belfast | Former source of city's water supply |
| Woodvale Park | Woodvale Road, upper Shankill, north-west Belfast | |
| Wedderburn Park | near Lisburn Road Lisburn Road The Lisburn Road is a main arterial road linking Belfast and Lisburn, in Northern Ireland.The Lisburn Road is now an extension of the "Golden Mile" with many shops, boutiques, wine bars, restaurants and coffee houses. The road runs almost parallel to the Malone Road, the two being joined by many... , south Belfast |
Contains playing fields, bowling green and tennis courts |