Search
  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

  • OXFORD ISLAND

    GET READY TO PLAY WILD

OXFORD ISLAND

Christmas & New Year Opening Hours

WHERE THE WILD THINGS PLAY

 

Explore the sublime beauty of Oxford Island – a designated National Nature Reserve situated on the peninsula in the southern shores of Lough Neagh.

Enjoy a network of all-access walking trails, bird watching hides, a new state-of-the-art play park, Loughside Café and Lough Neagh Discovery Centre which runs a wide-ranging environmental education and events programme. Admission is free and with only a five minute walk to Kinnego Marina and Kinnego Bushcraft Centre, Oxford Island is an idyllic retreat for all the family.

Oxford Island

Summer Season
Monday-Sunday: 9:00am – (up to) 9:00pm
Winter Season
Monday-Sunday: 9:00am – 6:00pm

*The summer season hours will steadily increase by hour as the days grow longer and the nights become shorter.

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

From April until September the Centre will be open on Sundays until 6:00 pm.

Enter you details to receive offers, competitions, fitness advice, membership updates and news about getactiveabc events and activities
* indicates required




From Armagh

• Take A3 to Kinnego Embankment in Craigavon. Take exit 10 from M1. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Kinnego Embankment. Continue on Kinnego Embankment to Oxford Island.

From Banbridge

• Drive from A26 and A76 to Craigavon. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Kinnego Embankment. Continue on Kinnego Embankment to Oxford Island.

From Belfast

• Get on A12 from A1 and Grosvenor Rd/B38. Follow M1 to Kinnego Embankment in Craigavon. Take exit 10 from M1. Continue on Kinnego Embankment to Oxford Island.

From Craigavon

• Take M12 and M1 to Kinnego Embankment. Take exit 10 from M1. Continue on Kinnego Embankment to Oxford Island.

Admission Fees: Free

Activities & Adventure

OXFORD ISLAND ADVENTURE PLAY PARK

COME ON IN AND PLAY WILD AT OXFORD ISLAND’S NEW WORLD EXCLUSIVE PLAY PARK!

A brand new, state-of-the-art, bespoke and truly unique play park has been created at Oxford Island – and it has to be seen to be believed! The conservation-inspired facility is completely bespoke to Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, and in that way is a genuine one-of-a-kind. From the design and materials used to the inclusivity aspects and artistic additions, this play park is a marvel and overlooks the stunning Lough Neagh while blending into the beauty of the forest surroundings.

Each piece of equipment gives a ‘nod’ to life on the island – whether the birds, the animals, the flowers, the trees or the fish. Nature combines with play to bring about a whole new experience for children, as well as parents, grandparents and carers. You will find the traditional pieces of equipment including swings, slides and roundabout as well as multi feature wooden beams, mounds to climb, clamber stacks, bridges, rope climbing, sliding poles, lower level trampolines, stepping stones, tunnels, interactive panels and so much more. The ground looks like a forest floor while a local artist has hand painted original features throughout the park to the exact colourings of life on Oxford Island.

In the centre of the playground is a ramp – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland – that brings children in wheelchairs right into the heart of play and to a completely different level of the park, allowing them to truly be immersed in the fun and action.

OXFORD ISLAND WALKING TRAILS

Oxford Island National Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and walking trails allow visitors to explore a range of habitats from woodlands to reedbeds, unique boglands to rich wildflower strewn meadows, discovering wildlife ponds and bird watching hides while becoming immersed in the panoramic views of this stunning setting and the sounds and sights of nature. Designed for all abilities of mobility, the trails can lead onto further branching footpaths just off the beaten track, venturing deeper but safely into the nature reserve.

NATURE RESERVE

Oxford Island

KINNEGO MARINA

Oxford Island

KINNEGO BUSHCRAFT

Kinnego Marina

LOUGHSIDE CAFE AT LOUGH NEAGH DISCOVERY CENTRE

Enjoy a snack at the Loughside Café with picturesque scenery from its amazing situation on the shores of Lough Neagh. The café is located in Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, also home to a Tourist Information Centre with friendly, helpful staff, a gift shop and trio of conference rooms with views across the nature reserve. Freshly baked scones, soup, traybakes and kids’ meals are on the menu! The café is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-4pm (inclusive throughout winter).

Oxford Island contains a network of all-access walking trails and mobility scooters are also available free of charge.

Telephone in advance on 028 3832 2205 to reserve a mobility scooter for a future visit and bring photographic I.D. (Passport, drivers licence etc) on the day of your visit to the reception desk at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre to collect the scooter.

COMMUNICATION BOARD AT OXFORD ISLAND

Oxford Island adventure playground
Oxford Island Play Park

Check out our new Communication Board here at Oxford Island. It is a board with pictures that can be used to share messages. The board in Oxford Island has pictures of things in the play park, action words, feelings, and words that can be used to request, like ‘more’.

We are using everything in our communication toolbox, including pictures, gestures, signs, and words, to get our message across. Everyone should have a go at using our new communication boards and experience this new way to share messages!

Click HERE for further details on how to use. Enjoy!

CYCLING AT OXFORD ISLAND

News

December 04, 2024

Get 2025 off to a flying start with Couch to 5k

Taking up running can feel like a scary prospect – especially for beginners – but with the right support and guidance from qualified instructors, taking the first step to getting fit is made easier. Delivered by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Couch to 5K is an 8-week programme, suitable for all ages and…

Read More
December 03, 2024

Christmas & New Year Opening Hours

Please see below all Indoor & Outdoor leisure facility's Christmas Holiday Opening Hours. Ardmore Recreation CentreMon 23 Dec 9.00am – 5.00pm Tues 24 Dec – Wed 1 Jan Closed Banbridge Leisure CentreThurs 19 Dec Closed [Staff Training] Mon 23 Dec Normal opening hours Tues 24 – Thurs 26 Dec Closed Fri 27 Dec 9.00am –…

Read More
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council © 2024 - All Rights Reserved