Oxford Island National Nature Reserve

A play park the whole family can use

The play park is the reason most families come, and it is a good one. Swings, slides, a roundabout, trampolines, rope climbing, tunnels, stepping stones and interactive panels are all set into the woodland edge looking out over the lough. It is hand-painted with nature themes and built for mixed ages, so toddlers and older kids can both find their level. The standout is a ramp into the centre of the play park, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, made so a child in a wheelchair gets into the middle of the action. The car park sits right beside it with Blue Badge bays a few metres from the entrance.

Free Inclusive play park Trampolines and zip-style climbing Five bird hides Café on site Buggy-friendly

Good to know before you go:

Oxford Island and the Discovery Centre run seasonal events through the year, from summer activity days and pond dipping to Halloween and Christmas happenings. Check ahead before a special trip, as dates and booking change each season.

What to bring

🧥LayersOutdoor play — a coat or spare jumper covers every kind of weather.

💧Water & snacksKeeps the energy up between climbs and runs about.

🧻Wipes & hand gelFor sandy, muddy, ice-cream-covered hands.

🛴Scooter or ballLots of flat path and green space to burn off more energy.

Everything before you go

Cost

Free, including parking

Opening

Reserve 9am to 9pm Mar to Sep, 9am to 6pm Oct to Feb; Discovery Centre and café shorter hours

Best for ages

Toddlers to about 11, with an inclusive play park usable by all abilities

What's there

Adventure play park, five bird hides, five km of trails, Discovery Centre, café, marina

Toilets

Yes, at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Parking

Free surface car park beside the play park, with three Blue Badge bays

Dogs

Welcome on a lead, kept away from the water's edge

Accessibility

Wheelchair ramp into the play park, surfaced buggy-friendly paths, mobility scooters for hire (book ahead)

How long to allow

Half a day

Address

Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Craigavon BT66 6NJ

Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?

Free, including parking

Is there parking?

Free surface car park beside the play park, with three Blue Badge bays

Are there toilets?

Yes, at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

What ages is it best for?

Toddlers to about 11, with an inclusive play park usable by all abilities

Can we bring the dog?

Welcome on a lead, kept away from the water's edge

Getting there

Oxford Island National Nature Reserve is at Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Craigavon BT66 6NJ. Free surface car park beside the play park, with three Blue Badge bays. Tap below for turn-by-turn directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map

Nearby

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The story

About the park

Oxford Island is a peninsula on the southern shore of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland. It has been managed as a reserve by the council since 1972, with much of the woodland planted through the 1960s and 70s. Despite the name it is no longer an island, joined to the mainland as water levels were managed over the years.

The 112-hectare reserve protects reedbeds, wildflower meadows, ponds and woodland along nearly four km of shoreline, and is recognised as a National Nature Reserve. The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre opened to tell the story of the lough and its wildlife, and is now the hub for the café, exhibitions and the play park that draw families in.