Ards Forest Park
Ards Forest Park
4.5
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4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
20
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Emily G
1 contribution
July 2020 • Family
I was disgusted at the disrespect in Ards. It’s of course such a lovely and beautiful place. But tourists were everywhere and there should be a person limit in this outdoor forest park. There was no respect from the visitors and were running past me and my family. Second, the toilets were very dirty. During this pandemic you’d expect cleanliness and hand sanitizer. What was left to wash your hands is a dirty bar of soap. Which is so unhygienic. The amount of germs and bacteria you could imagine is awful. It was my family’s first drive out of the house since 12th, March, 2020. We didn’t expect to be upset and so worried/scared around all these people and lack of respect.
Written 14 July 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.
BGillman-202
Dublin, Ireland59 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This is a really great park. It has loads of trails along the sea shore with some great views as well as forest trails. There is plenty of parking and a nice little coffee shop to get yourself a well done prize for finishing.
Along the walk there are some lovely sandy beaches. The locals arrive by boat so some activity at these.
All in all one of the best parks we found in Donegal. The only negative is that there is a €5 charge for entry which must be paid in coins (no cards no notes) which with Covid is a real pain as we have stopped carrying cash. There is a petrol-station shop about 5km away that we went back to for change and it looked like they were used to people asking for change with the shopping. If they took cards this would be well worth the five stars.
Along the walk there are some lovely sandy beaches. The locals arrive by boat so some activity at these.
All in all one of the best parks we found in Donegal. The only negative is that there is a €5 charge for entry which must be paid in coins (no cards no notes) which with Covid is a real pain as we have stopped carrying cash. There is a petrol-station shop about 5km away that we went back to for change and it looked like they were used to people asking for change with the shopping. If they took cards this would be well worth the five stars.
Written 16 August 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.
perfect pint
Derry, UK132 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Beautiful walks and trails. Spent a full day with family and only seen half of it. Nice coffee in cabin at carpark. When paying at barrier, kept on saying error. Took 5/10 mins to get in, eventually took coins. €5 charge. NO BINS!!! SORT IIT OUT DCC. rubbish laying about carpark and park.
Written 19 January 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.
Tina M
Ireland402 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
If you like walking, then this is a must visit!
Numerous trails through wooded walkways with glorious sea views. Various trails with great scenery. Beautiful boardwalk. Great for bird watching. Kids play area & a fantastic beach. End your day with a coffee at The Coffee Tree Coffee Shop.
Stop off & take a picture of the wooded craft animal carvings. Absolutely stunning work.
Great for all the family ❤️
Numerous trails through wooded walkways with glorious sea views. Various trails with great scenery. Beautiful boardwalk. Great for bird watching. Kids play area & a fantastic beach. End your day with a coffee at The Coffee Tree Coffee Shop.
Stop off & take a picture of the wooded craft animal carvings. Absolutely stunning work.
Great for all the family ❤️
Written 23 January 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.
Companion28070201599
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Wasn't sure what to expect when i had to pay my 5 euros to get in through the gate and drive down to the main car park, but what a stunning place! 😍 Brilliant for the kids (big and small😅). Beaches that go on for ever, rocks to climb for the boys each one taking you to another little secluded beach area. Even managed to completely tire out my unstoppable cockapoo! Definitely go and walk down to the shore to discover the perfect sheltered Beaches ❤️
Written 18 August 2024
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.
Alison D
Belfast, UK139 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Another lovely morning exploring the natural sites of Co. Donegal at Ards forest Park with the kids. We went for a lovely walk along the red trail towards the beach, built a few sandcastles and a peaceful walk along the waters edge. Followed by a walk back to the play park for the kids to enjoy the swings, slides, balance beams and playhouses. Only downfall for us was kids couldn't have icrecream at the end as it contained eggs and we have an allergy. But other than that will definitely go back if in the area again and try out some other routes on the nature trail.
Written 5 July 2024
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.
F Flanagan
Garvagh, UK3 contributions
July 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!
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.
near_and_far85
Derry, UK18 contributions
July 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.
Penny B
2 contributions
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.
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.
PaulG
Kilkenny, Ireland127 contributions
July 2020 • Family
Lovely park, and fairly unusual in Ireland to have a forest park that runs right to the sea. Beautiful walks along the coast with amazing scenery. Plenty of great trails as well. It's worth paying for entry because it's a long way in. Coffee and ice cream available in the car park, just a short stroll from the sand dunes trail.
Written 26 July 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.
No problem, jut bear in mind the other park users please.
Written 5 June 2019
Can you camp here, as a family, not a group?
Written 10 July 2018
Yea we've done that many times there's benches for sitting etc.
Written 7 July 2018
Do you pay to go to the this forest park , how much coin operated ?
Written 5 May 2018
Yes. Just pick up after the dog and keep on a leash.
Written 10 August 2017
Hi. Can I use there recumbent trike? Usually Im using it to towing my kids at little trailer. No big speed at all, it's like pram option because my walking is very limited.
Written 20 April 2017
No bikes off tarmac tracks so you are limited to the entrance road really.
Written 5 November 2017
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