Top 10 Things To Do In Craigavon, Northern Ireland

1. Plan a day out at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

With flower meadows, birdwatching hides, ponds, and relaxing footpaths, Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is an ideal destination for picnics. As part of a national nature reserve, the centre offers 360-degree views of Lough which includes a cafe, conference rooms, and a craft and a gift shop. The facilities of the centre include wifi, guides, mobility scooters, on-site parking, baby-changing facilities, and a local library with an extensive collection of books. The centre hosts a range of environmental education activities and innovative events during various times of the year for visitors to enjoy.

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Address: Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Craigavon BT66 6NJ

Website: Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm

Price: Free

2. Experience an afternoon of fun at Ardress House

Situated in the midst of apple orchards, Ardress House boasts a century-old plantation home, a riverside estate, a water-powered mill, and a gentrified vernacular-style house. Built in the 17th century, this elegant house with remodelled Georgian architectural elements features neo-classical drawings, unique exhibits, picturesque gardens, and the 1799 table upon which King George V signed the Constitution of Northern Ireland. The house features mobility accessibility, pet-friendly options, guides, farmyards, picnic facilities, cafes, and on-site parking.

Ardress House

Address: 64 Ardress Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 1SQ

Website: Ardress House

Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Spend quality time with your family at Woodlands Park

Located in Gilford, Woodlands Park is an ideal destination to spend quality time outdoors with your friends and family. With a play area for kids, a grass sports pitch, and walking and cycling trails, the park surrounded by mature trees is perfect to reconnect with nature. You can either choose to book the pitches in the park or watch the local football teams play. This park also offers a range of activities for children such as cradle swings, spinners, and climbing frames.

Woodlands Park

Address: 39 Woodlands, Gilford, Craigavon BT63 6JW

Website: Woodlands Park

Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)

Price: Free

4. Learn the proper way of skiing at Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre

With a gentle main slope, tow lifts, nursery slopes, snow tubing facilities, and a golf course, this ski centre is indeed a one-of-a-kind destination in the region. As the only artificial ski slope in Northern Ireland, the centre is ideal for both beginners and advanced skiers. The centre also offers a range of facilities that includes a children’s area, a disabled facility, and a parking lot. If you want to learn more about the proper way of gliding through the snow, sign up for their skiing and snowboarding lessons.

Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre

Address: Turmoyra Ln, Lurgan, Craigavon BT66 6NG

Website: Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm; Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm

Price: 5 USD onwards

5. Be mesmerized by the colourful plants and insects on Oxford Island

This natural reserve is located on the southern shores of Lough Neagh and is owned and maintained by the councils of Banbridge, Craigavon, and Armagh city. With diverse natural habitats, this nature reserve was built to maintain biodiversity and serve as a recreation area for people of all ages. The public recreation site offers facilities based on your interests such as a discovery centre with conference rooms, a cafe, a gift shop, a camping park, an art space, multiple walking trails, and bird watching hides. The flora and fauna at the site include both common and rare wild plants. Tourists are all welcome to marvel at all the butterflies, birds, freshwater fish, and millions of colourful insects in the area.

Oxford Island

Address: Craigavon BT66 6NJ

Website: Oxford Island

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 8am - 9pm; Sat: 8am - 5pm

Price: Free

6. Interact with animals at Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm

Located right next to Craigavon Lake, Tannaghmore gardens and animal farm is an ideal destination to get up close with animals such as saddleback pigs, Galway sheep, poultry, rabbits, and cattle. The farm, which houses rare or endangered species, is perfect for kids and adults alike to learn about the history of livestock and farming activities. The garden and animal farm also includes a barn museum, a playground, a picnic area, barbecue, agricultural exhibits, and the famed “Kissing Gate”, which is believed to fulfill the wishes of couples visiting the place.

Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm

Address: Silverwood, Craigavon, County Armagh, BT66 6LE, Northern Ireland

Website: Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

7. Learn more about the region's history at Waterside Museum

With the purpose of preserving and conserving the social and industrial history of the region, this museum has a diverse collection of maps, books, journals, photographs, and objects. Located on the Oxford Island Nature Reserve, the museum provides information about the local canals systems, waterways, industrial activities, and life on the shores of Lough Neagh. The museum also includes facilities such as a 100-year old locally built barge, 1940s themed boxes, parking facilities, disability access, meeting rooms, and a reference library.

Waterside Museum

Address: Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island Nature Reserve, Annaloiste Road, Craigavon BT66 6NJ

Website: Waterside Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Free

8. Create unique gift pieces at Ballydougan Pottery

Built in the 18th century by the Huguenot family, Bloomvale House is a thatched house that has a wide range of Ballydougan pottery and other gift items for display. The Ballydougan pottery courtyard cottages are an ideal destination to go on a romantic holiday. During your trip here, you can choose to take pottery classes that are available for both individuals or groups. You can also attend a demonstration and try your hand at making one of these fashionable, unique gift pieces. The house also features a restaurant and coffee lounge that caters to family occasions, conferences, receptions, and group visits.

Ballydougan Pottery

Address: 171 Plantation Rd, Bleary, Craigavon BT63 5NN

Website: Ballydougan Pottery

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Free

9. Participate in realistic game zones at Bedlam Indoor Paintball Portadown

With more than 120 sites across the United Kingdom, this paintball arena is known for its realistic game zones and inventive game scenarios. It is equipped with the right kind of equipment, developed game rooms, first-class facilities, and a range of packages to ensure the ultimate paintballing experience. The venue also includes a range of other activities such as laser tag, airsoft, and video games.

Bedlam Indoor Paintball Portadown

Address: 10 Bleary Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5NE

Website: Bedlam Indoor Paintball Portadown

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 7pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 9am - 1pm

Price: 17 USD onwards

10. Familiarize yourself with a variety of exotic animals at C&J's Animal Park

Located in Portadown, this mini zoo includes an exciting and diverse range of farm animals. From the blue-fronted Amazon parrot to the ring-tailed lemur, the animal park houses a variety of exotic animals and is an ideal place to take your kids for a unique learning experience. The animal park includes facilities such as handwashing stations, disability access, on-site indoor and outdoor picnic areas, toilets, a tea/coffee and snacks counter.

C&J's Animal Park

Address: 30 Derryall Rd, Craigavon BT62 1PL

Website: C&J’s Animal Park

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 7 USD onwards

Immerse in culture and the arts as you explore Craigavon

Home to Ballydough pottery, Georgian farmhouses, mystical loughs, and iconic landmarks, Craigavon is the birthplace of Irish legends raised on seven hills. Take a pick from the top 10 things to do in Craigavon and experience the best of this vibrant Georgian City.