Lagan Valley Regional Park

The River Lagan and its surrounding valley landscapes are renowned for their natural beauty. At the heart of the Lagan Valley are the River Lagan and canal systems that form the main access and wildlife corridor bridging two of Northern Ireland's largest population centres. This unique area typified by its rolling landscapes, ornamental parklands and farmland was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty under the first round of designations in 1965. Shortly thereafter, due largely to concerns of development pressure, the Lagan Valley Regional Park was established as one of three unique semi-urban designations in the UK at that time. The Lagan Valley Regional Park covers an area of 4,200 acres and extends 11 miles along both sides of the River Lagan between Stranmillis, Belfast and Union Locks, Lisburn. The designated area is rich in both, natural features and biodiversity as well as having a range of locally and nationally important historical sites. Most protected of these, the Giant's Ring, is an archaeological site of outstanding importance in Northern Ireland and in the UK as a whole. This site is a state care protected monument one of the highest levels of protection afforded for sites of archaeological importance. The area also boasts a local nature reserve at Lagan Meadows and 23 sites of local nature conservation importance.

Visit www.laganvalley.co.uk for more information