Days Out NI
Play Park Derry/Londonderry

St Columb's Park Playground

Free riverside playground inside 70 acres of parkland on the Foyle.

1 photo
Open dailyDaily, dawn to dusk
FreeNo charge
Derry/LondonderryPlay Park
Get directions
Two to three hoursHow long
Toddlers to around 10Best for
FreeEntry
FreeParking
OutdoorsSetting

St Columb's Park Playground — Free riverside playground inside 70 acres of parkland on the Foyle.

  • What's there: Swings, slides, climbing frames, plus tennis courts, running track, pitches and the Foyle Arena leisure centre.
  • Best for: Toddlers to around 10 for the playground; all ages for the wider park.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Parking: Free car park off St Columb's Road with disabled bays; free on-road parking nearby.
  • Toilets: At the nearby Foyle Arena and Ebrington Square, with baby changing.
  • Dogs: Welcome on a lead; popular with dog walkers.
Plan your visit

A play park, then 70 acres to burn off the rest

The playground covers the basics well: swings, slides and climbing frames for the under-tens. It is the kind of fenced, traditional play area parents trust for toddlers and primary-age kids. When they have had enough, the park opens out around them. There are tennis courts, a running track and all-weather pitches, plus wide flat paths ideal for scooters and learner bikes. The riverside setting keeps it interesting, with the Foyle on one side and woodland walkways on the other.

Free Open dawn to dusk Swings & slides Free parking Café on site Woodland walks
Good to know before you go:

Council parks like this often host seasonal happenings through the year, from summer fun days to Halloween and Christmas events. Check what's on before you head over.

Before you set off

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.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Opening
Daily, dawn to dusk
Best for ages
Toddlers to around 10 for the playground; all ages for the wider park
What's there
Swings, slides, climbing frames, plus tennis courts, running track, pitches and the Foyle Arena leisure centre
Toilets
At the nearby Foyle Arena and Ebrington Square, with baby changing
Parking
Free car park off St Columb's Road with disabled bays; free on-road parking nearby
Dogs
Welcome on a lead; popular with dog walkers
Accessibility
Flat tarmac main loop and greenway; some side paths are gravel or grass
How long to allow
Two to three hours
Address
St Columb's Park, Limavady Road, Waterside, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6JY
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
Free
Is there parking?
Free car park off St Columb's Road with disabled bays; free on-road parking nearby
Are there toilets?
At the nearby Foyle Arena and Ebrington Square, with baby changing
What ages is it best for?
Toddlers to around 10 for the playground; all ages for the wider park
Can we bring the dog?
Welcome on a lead; popular with dog walkers
Getting there

St Columb's Park Playground is at St Columb's Park, Limavady Road, Waterside, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6JY. Free car park off St Columb's Road with disabled bays; free on-road parking nearby. 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

St Columb's Park is a 70-acre municipal park on the banks of the Foyle, named after St Columba, the city's patron saint. The site is old: it holds the ruins of St Brecan's medieval church alongside St Columb's Park House, built in 1788 by Royal Navy lieutenant John Rea. The council bought the house in 1937 and opened the grounds to the public in 1939.

During the Second World War the estate served as a military hospital for Battle of the Atlantic casualties. The house was restored in 1993. The park was reshaped again in recent years, with the Peace Bridge linking it to Ebrington Square in 2011 and the Foyle Arena leisure centre opening in 2015.