South Lake Watersports, Craigavon

Craigavon City Park is an ideal location for walking, fishing, jogging and cycling. For the more energetic among you, a purpose-built pump track is available, and a family mountain bike trail weaves for 10.6km around the lakes and the wooded areas that surround them. The trail starts and finishes at the South Lake Leisure Centre where there is ample parking, bike hire, café and toilets.

An extensive network of walking and cycling paths are set within the parkland round the Craigavon Lakes and are suitable for disabled users and families. A haven for wildlife and natural beauty, the route around the two lakes is 3 miles, but there are many more paths besides.

One of the major attractions of the City Park is Tannaghmore Gardens, centred on ‘Fairview House’, a listed Georgian Farmhouse dating from the late 18^th Century.  The gardens are a popular venue for outings and family visits. The animal farm offers close encounters with many animals traditionally found on farms in Ulster 100 years ago. Many of these breeds are now rare and close to extinction; they include Irish Moiled Cattle, Dexter Cattle, Galway Sheep, Saddleback Pigs and a wide range of Poultry. Guided farm tours are a speciality. Within the gardens there are 17 different styles of traditional gates, named after local townlands.

A stroll around the gardens will reveal interesting tree sculptures and it is possible to follow a tree trail of both native and exotic trees. A country styled play area has been constructed using wooden play equipment suitable for young children, with the aerial slide proving popular for older children.

There are picnic areas and BBQ facilities along with two indoor halls that can be booked for parties and other events.  The grounds also contain two football pitches and a cricket square.  A recent development has seen the construction of a large maze from gabion baskets and evergreen trees and at its centre is interpretive material telling the story of Master McGrath, the famous greyhound.

Rare Breeds Animal Farm The Animal Farm is owned and run by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, and offers close encounters with many breeds of farm animals. These include traditional breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and poultry. Many of these breeds are now rare and close to extinction. We are currently the only Rare Breeds Survival Trust Approved Farm Park in Ireland and are working with the RBST on active conservation breeding programs to help preserve these breeds for future generations.

Entrance to the Farm is FREE of charge and a great day out of the whole family. The farm is suitable for buggies and has accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.