Ballymenoch Park

What You'll Find

Ballymenoch Park is a lovely little woodland park tucked away in Holywood, and a handy spot if you've got younger children who enjoy a playground and a short walk.

The park covers around 20 acres, with a mixture of mature trees, open grass and woodland paths. There's an enclosed children's playground, which is particularly suited to younger ones, so you can stop for a play before heading off to explore the rest of the park.

One of the nicest things about Ballymenoch is the woodland. Some of the trees date back to when the grounds were part of the old Ballymenoch estate, and there are some beautiful big trees to spot as you wander around.

It's especially worth a visit in autumn when the leaves start changing colour and the kids can hunt for fallen conkers. There's plenty of open grass too, so bring a ball or a picnic blanket if the weather is nice.

The paths are mostly hard surfaced with gentle slopes, making this a good option for prams and younger children who aren't ready for a long walk. You can walk around the park in roughly 10–15 minutes, although it'll probably take longer if your wee ones stop to investigate every tree along the way!

There's no big visitor centre or café inside the park, but Holywood town centre is around a ten-minute walk away, with plenty of places to grab a coffee or something to eat afterwards.

It's a handy little park for a playground stop and a woodland wander, especially if you're already in the Holywood area.

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Having a play in the enclosed children's playground
• ✓Following the woodland paths and exploring among the big trees
• ✓Hunting for conkers and colourful leaves in autumn
• ✓Bringing a ball for the open grassy areas
• ✓Having a picnic under the trees when the weather is nice

Before You Visit

There are no public toilets confirmed within the park, so it's worth planning a stop before you arrive, particularly with younger children.

The main paths are hard surfaced with gentle slopes, but check accessibility details if you need a fully step-free route.

The playground is aimed more towards younger children, so older kids may prefer exploring the woodland or bringing a ball.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐Autumn is a lovely time to visit, especially if your wee ones enjoy collecting conkers and colourful leaves.
• ⭐Bring a ball or picnic blanket if you're planning to spend a little longer in the park.
• ⭐The surfaced paths make this a handy option for a short pram-friendly woodland walk.
• ⭐Combine your visit with a wander into Holywood town centre for a coffee or lunch afterwards.