Redburn Country Park

View Redburn Country Park

Redburn Country Park is set on an escarpment overlooking Belfast Lough. It includes the mature beech woods and the scrub and grasslands at the top of the hill. Redburn provides pleasant walks in all seasons but spring is the best time to see the spectacular woodland carpet of bluebells, wood sorrel and anemones. The dense canopy of beech wood provides good shelter for many of our more common birds such as tits and finches, while in summer, willow warbler and blackcaps may be found in the scrub and gorse at the top of the hill. Mammals too are plentiful with rabbits grazing in the open glades; and you may be lucky to catch a fleeting glimpse of the Park's shyest resident, the Red Squirrel. Once at the top of the escarpment, the climb is rewarded by breathtaking views of Belfast and the south Antrim hills.

Until the 1940's, most of the land which now comprises the park, was owned by the Dunville family of Redburn House. Their home stood on the present site of the Holywood Private Nursing Home. The family owned the famous Dunville Whiskey Company in Belfast. At one time, this was the largest distillery in the world. Although the family only lived at Redburn for part of the year, tales of their unusual lifestyle have been passed on through the years. Who could forget "Bruno", Dunville's pet bear and one of a number of exotic animals he kept in a private zoo established after the first world war.

Mrs. Violet Dunville is remembered for her love of excitement and adventure. She kept up to 60 horses in the Redburn stables and was a pioneer baloonist and aeronaut with her husband John.

John Spencer Dunville, the youngest son, was awarded the V.C. following action at Epehy in 1917; he died a few days later of his wounds aged only 20. Following Mrs. Violet Dunville's death in 1940, the Air Ministry commandeered the estate and it passed through many hands until the DOE (NI) took over the area in the early 1970's. It is now managed as a country park.

An 18 acre field at the top of the hill has recently been taken out of cultivation and planted with 40,000 trees to create a new woodland for the future.

The Park is owned and managed by Environment and Heritage Service, which has responsibility for countryside and wildlife conservation and ensuring access to the countryside.

Redburn Country Park has open access all year round with ample parking in the Park's car park adjacent to the Holywood Private Nursing Home.

Visitors to the Country Park should remember the Park Code:-

• Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
• Take all litter home or use the bins provided.
• Ensure all dogs are kept under control and not allowed to foul paths and mown grass.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
• Make no unnecessary noise.
• Cycling, mountain biking or the exercising of horses is not permitted in the Park.

Facilities

• Carpark Layby
• Carparking
• 7km of path ways

Access & Booking

The park is open all year round at all times.
There is no need to book or admission fee

Contact Us

Tel: 028 91811491
Fax: 028 9182 0695

Getting Here

From Belfast - Follow Sydenham Bypass towards Holywood. Look out for Redburn Country Park sign at Palace Army Barracks. Take Jacksons Road to the junction with Old Holywood Road. Turn right along Old Holywood Road. Entrance to the Country Park is on left just past Army Barracks.