T O U R I N G I N T H E T R E E S
CONTENTS
Page 3 Introduction 4 General 6 Information Liability 7 Sites by County Maps 23 Long Stay Sites 25 Useful Telephone Numbers 27 District Forest Offices
INTRODUCTION
Touring in the Trees is an exclusive ring of small touring sites placed so that they can be used as bases from which to explore the forests and surrounding countryside. The forest sites are generally convenient to the main tourist routes but are reserved exclusively for permit holders. Formalities are minimal. Once you have purchased your permit the freedom of all 9 sites is yours to enjoy, but you must not stay longer than 3 nights at a time on any one site. Accommodation is designed primarily for caravans although there is normally room for an awning.
For those who prefer a longer stay in one place, there are larger fully equipped sites at four Forest Parks - Glenariff, Castlewellan, Tollymore and Drum Manor. These sites operate independently from the permit scheme and must be booked in advance through the local Forest Office.
Touring in the Trees sites cannot be booked in advance and should not be reserved. They are allocated on a first come first served basis.
GENERAL INFORMATION
All sites are controlled and operated by the Forest Service, an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Number of Sites: 9
3 | P a g e Location: Scattered throughout State Forests and vary from sheltered lowland with limited but pleasant views, to semi wild and sometimes remote areas with excellent views. Facilities: Basic essentials: Sites have in most cases chemical toilet disposal units, waste water disposal units, drinking water and hard standing for caravans. There are no electrical connections on site. Access to sites: Access is controlled by locked barriers. Keys are issued at time of purchase. Limitations to stay: The maximum length of stay at any one site is 3 nights. Permits: Permits are limited for 2021. When new permits become available these can be accessed via the following web page Forest recreation charges | nidirect
Costs Refer to the latest fees and charges schedule. No refund will be given after 31 March and a cancellation fee of £15 applies.
4 | P a g e Annual Touring Permits are issued on condition that: 1. All caravans must be equipped with a chemical toilet. 2. All caravans are parked in the designated pitches. 3. Maximum stay of 3 nights on any one site. 4. Permits are clearly displayed. 5. Permits are not interchangeable. 6. Barriers are kept locked. 7. Dogs are kept on leash. Owners are responsible for their actions on site. 8. Barrier keys are returned promptly when the permit is no longer required/valid. 9. No unauthorised caravans are admitted. 10. Ensure that all litter is placed in the bins provided. 11. Generators are not operated on sites. 12. Caravans must NOT be left unattended overnight. 13. Users of the caravan sites do so at their own risk. 14. The Department will not accept liability for any damage to permit holders’ vehiclesor other property.
You can help us to help you by obeying the rules.
5 | P a g e The Department reserves the right to withdraw permits at any time for contravention of rules or Forest Bye-Laws - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2013/30/made (link). LIABILITY
VALID: Touring caravan sites only: 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021
Persons caravanning or camping in state forests under the authority of this permit:
1. Do so at their own risk. The Department accepts no liability for any damage, loss or injury (other than death or personal injury arising the negligence of the Department), or whether occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, wrongful act or default of the Department, or its servants or agents or from any other cause; 2. Must make good any loss or damage sustained by the Department through their presence in the forests; 3. Must indemnify the Department against all actions, claims and demands brought against it arising out of their presence in the forests; 4. Must comply with any by-laws in force. 5. Must use only those roads approved for caravan traffic; 6. Must comply with any directions or instructions issued by the Department concerning the use and enjoyment of the forests. 7. A charge of £10 will apply for replacing a lost or damaged permit. Please retain your till or card receipt as proof of purchase 6 | P a g e SITES BY COUNTY County Forest Capacity Location Special Features Antrim Ballypatrick 11 On A2. Sheltered site just off the Cushendall 8 miles. main road, picnic areas Ballycastle 6 miles. and walks.
Map 1 Glenariff 20 On A43. Forest park nearby with Ballymena - Waterfoot Road. planned walks, splendid Signposted. views, waterfalls and Ballymena 14 miles. cafe. Waterfoot 4 miles. Map 1
County Forest Capacity Location Special Features
7 | P a g e Down Castlewellan 19 Entrance of Bannanstown Forest Park with Road via the Drumbuck planned walks, Road from the A25. Note: No Arboretum, gardens, entry via Forest Park. fishing (permit Newcastle 4 miles. required), cafe and barbecue Map 2 site
Rostrevor 14 On A2. Access sign Very sheltered site, posted via main forest Forest Drives, entrance. Viewpoints, Picnic Rostrevor Village ½ mile. areas. Warrenpoint 2 miles.
Map 2
8 | P a g e County Forest Capacity Location Special Features Fermanagh Florence 10 Off A32. Follow signposts Forest Park walks Court ‘Forest Park’. and picnic places. Enniskillen 8 miles. Nearby Marble Arch Swanlinbar 6 miles. Caves.
Map 3 Kesh 12 On A35. On main touring route (Clonelly) Kesh 3 miles. to Donegal, near to Pettigo 2 miles. Lough Erne.
Map 3
9 | P a g e County Forest Capacity Location Special Features
Londonderry Springwell 12 On A37 (T). Close to Coleraine 7 miles. Magilligan Strand, Limavady 7 miles. Entrance Portrush and near Forest housing site. Portstewart. Fine scenic area. Map 5
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County Forest Capacity Location Special Features Tyrone Parkanaur 10 On A4. Forest Park with gardens Dungannon 4 miles. and deer enclosure. Ballygawley 9 miles.
Map 4
Drum Manor 9 On A505. Forest Park with planned Cookstown 4 miles. walks and butterfly garden. Map 4
11 | P a g e Maps
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13 | P a g e Ballypatrick Forest
Ballypatrick Forest is on the main A2 road, which is a popular tourist route along the Antrim Coast, leading through the Glens of Antrim and past the Giant’s Causeway.
Address: Glenmakeeran Rd, Ballycastle, BT54 6RN
GPS Coordinates: 55.1544° N, 6.1405° W
Google Maps Ballypatrick Forest
Glenariff Forest
Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens is one of the nine Antrim Glens and is on the main A43 Glenariff Road.
Address: Glenariffe Rd, Ballymena, BT44 0QX
GPS Coordinates: 55.0223° N, 6.1251° W
Google Maps Glenariff Forest
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15 | P a g e Castlewellan Forest
Castlewellan Forest Park covers 450 hectares of land lying north of the Mourne Mountains. Entrance of Bannanstown Road via the Drumbuck Road from the A25.
Address: Castlewellan, BT31 9BU
GPS Coordinates: 54.2680° N, 5.9596° W Google
Maps Castlewellan Forest
Rostrevor Forest
From Rostrevor, follow the Shore Road towards Kilkeel. About half a mile from the town centre, the forest is signposted on the left at Kilbroney Park.
Address: Rostrevor, BT34 3AA
GPS Coordinates: 54.1269° N, 6.1514° W
Google Maps Rostrevor Forest 16 | P a g e
17 | P a g e Florence Court Forest
Florence Court Forest Park is on Cuilcagh Mountain and covers 1,200 hectares. The Forest Park is nine miles from Enniskillen off the A32 Swanlinbar Road via Marble Arch and Mullan Roads.
Address: Florence Court, Enniskillen, BT92 1DB
GPS Coordinates: 54.2489° N, 7.7402° W Google
Maps Florence Court Forest
Kesh (Clonelly) Forest
Kesh Forest (Clonelly) lies to the north and west of Kesh village covering an area of 2,130 hectares and is on the A35 road between Kesh and Pettigo.
Address: Clonelly, Enniskillen BT93 8BZ
GPS Coordinates: 54.5453° N, 7.7721° W
Google Maps Kesh (Clonelly) Forest 18 | P a g e
19 | P a g e Parkanaur Forest
Parkanaur Forest is a mixed coniferous and broadleaved woodland of almost 200 hectares, located four miles west of Dungannon on the A4 Enniskillen Road. Address: Castlecaulfield Road, Dungannon, BT70 3PQ
GPS Coordinates: 54.4951° N, 6.8661° W
Google Maps Parkanaur Forest
Drum Manor Forest
Drum Manor Forest is situated off the A505 Cookstown to Omagh Road, approximately three miles from Cookstown. Address: Cookstown, BT80 9ED
GPS Coordinates: 54.6476° N, 6.8254° W
Google Maps Drum Manor Forest
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21 | P a g e Springwell Forest
Springwell forest is a predominantly coniferous woodland situated in rolling landscape, on the A37 between Coleraine and Limavady, overlooking the north coast.
Address: Coleraine, BT51 4JP
GPS Coordinates: 55.0747° N, 6.7844° W
Google Maps Springwell Forest
22 | P a g e LONG STAY SITES
There are more sophisticated sites for caravan owners and campers, operated independently from the Touring in the Trees circuit. They provide toilets, showers, etc. and are located at the following Forest Parks:
Glenariff, Castlewellan, Tollymore and Drum Manor.
You can check availability or book camping online via the links below:
Glenariff Forest Park touring online booking Castlewellan Forest Park camp/ touring online booking Tollymore Forest Park camping/ touring online booking Drum Manor Forest Park camping/ touring online booking
23 | P a g e Bookings can be accepted for periods up to and including 14 nights. Prices vary - Recreation Charges (link), check with the Forest Officer.
A Forest Ranger may be on duty and they will be pleased to assist you.
Forest Bye-Laws http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2013/30/made (link) must always be adhered to.
24 | P a g e USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Forest Service Headquarters
Inishkeen House Killyhevlin Enniskillen Co Fermanagh BT74 4EJ Tel: 028 6634 3066 Email: [email protected]
Co Antrim Co Fermanagh Ballyboley Garvagh 028 Florencecourt Enniskillen 028 6634 3165 Ballypatrick Garvagh 028 Clonelly Enniskillen 028 6634 3165
Glenariff Garvagh 028
Co Down
25 | P a g e Castlewell Castle 028 4377 an wellan 8664 Rostrevor Castle 028 4377 wellan 8664 Tollymore Newca 028 4372 stle 2428
Co Tyrone Co Derry Parkanaur Enniskillen 02 Springwell Garvagh 028 7034 0870
Drum Manor Enniskillen 02 DISTRICT FOREST OFFICES Castlewellan Enniskillen The Grange Inishkeen House Castlewellan Forest Park Killyhevlin Castlewellan Enniskillen Tel: 028 4372 1269 Tel: 028 6634 3165 Garvagh 6 Forest Road Garvagh
26 | P a g e Limavady Tel: 028 7034 0870
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