Outdoors

Oxford Island Nature Reserve

Name: Oxford Island Nature Reserve
Address: Oxford Island Lurgan Craigavon, Craigavon, BT66 6NJ, GB
Telephone: 03300561190

Craigavon

Courtesy of Oxford Island Nature Reserve

SETTING

Outdoors

WHERE

Craigavon

What it’s like

Woodland trails, bird hides and wildlife ponds along Lough Neagh, with a Discovery Centre to poke around when little legs need a rest.

This is a proper wander-about spot: paths through woodland, a few bird watching hides to duck into, and ponds where you can stop and see what's paddling about. Kids who like spotting things over kids who like climbing frames will get the most out of it, though there's enough ground to cover that a scooter-mad seven-year-old won't be bored either.

The Discovery Centre is the bit to save for the end of the walk. It's got educational features that turn the trip from "look, a duck" into something a bit more structured, which is handy if you've got a school-topic-on-wildlife child to keep happy.

Food-wise, the Loughside Café seats 100 and looks out over the water, which is a nice enough reason to linger even if the kids have had enough of trails by then. They do hot food daily, including weekday and Sunday lunch specials, made from local produce. Café opening times aren't fixed online, so it's a phone-the-Discovery-Centre job if you want to plan a meal around your visit rather than hope for the best.

Facilities

Restaurant

Need to know

Best for: Kids who like spotting wildlife over climbing frames
Food: Loughside Café with panoramic Lough Neagh views

Café hours aren't fixed, ring the Discovery Centre ahead if lunch is part of the plan
The Discovery Centre is worth timing your walk around rather than rushing past
Bird watching hides are a good stop if you've got binoculars or just want five minutes of quiet

Plan your visit

What is there for kids to actually do?

Woodland trails to walk, bird watching hides to sit in, and wildlife ponds to poke about near. The Discovery Centre adds an educational angle if you want more than just a walk.

Is there somewhere to eat?

The Loughside Café seats 100 with views over Lough Neagh and does hot food every day, plus weekday and Sunday lunch specials. Call the Discovery Centre on 028 3832 2205 to check when it's actually open before you head over.

How long should we plan for?

Long enough for a walk round the trails, a stop at the hides and a browse of the Discovery Centre, then lunch at the café if the timing works out.

Is it good for younger kids?

There's no set age range given, but the trails and ponds suit kids who like looking and spotting more than climbing, and the Discovery Centre gives them something hands-on partway through.