Hillsborough Forest Park is a stunning 200-acre nature park in Hillsborough village, making it one of the best things to do with kids in Hillsborough. Operating as an accessible outdoor adventure park, it offers families lakeside walking trails, woodland scenery, and interactive sculpture paths.

Prices start from £0.00 as entry to the forest park and play areas is completely free for all visitors. With zero entry fees and affordable on-site parking options, it serves as a budget-friendly family day out in Northern Ireland.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this outdoor woodland sanctuary provides something for every age group. Children can explore the expansive play park, spot local waterfowl on the lake loop, discover hand-carved wooden sculptures, and enjoy stroller-friendly paths.

What are the key features for families?

• Interactive Exhibits: Outdoor woodland sculpture trails with tactile carved animals and interactive play features capture young imaginations.
• Educational Day Out: Children learn about local biodiversity, waterfowl species around the lake, tree conservation, and forest ecosystems.
• Sensory Play and Nature: Rustling trees, natural timber climbing structures, waterfowl quacks, and lake views provide rich sensory stimulation.
• Outdoor Exploration: Paved, barrier-free walking circuits circle the central lake, leading families through mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodlands.

What are the main highlights kids will love?

• Hillsborough Forest Play Park: Playing on modern timber climbing towers, slides, sensory play panels, and swings designed for different age tiers.
• The Lake Walk Loop: Taking a gentle, stroller-friendly 1.2-mile walk around the scenic lake while watching ducks and swans.
• Woodland Sculpture Trail: Spotting hand-carved wooden animal sculptures and fantasy figures hidden along forest paths.
• The Fox Fort Observation Deck: Climbing elevated wooden viewing platforms that offer panoramic views across the water and trees.
• Picnic & Feed the Ducks Area: Resting at lakeside wooden picnic tables while feeding native bird species along designated water banks.

Beyond the Main Attraction

• Hillsborough Castle & G ardens (Historic Royal Palaces): Located adjacent to the forest, offering royal residence tours and formal gardens.
• Hillsborough Fort: Situated right at the park entrance, featuring 17th-century stone artillery fort ruins.
• Hillsborough Historic Village: Located a short walk away, featuring Georgian architecture, tearooms, and craft shops.
• Sprucefield Shoppin g Centre: Positioned 3.5 miles north, offering retail shopping and family dining options.