Redburn Country Park is situated on steep slopes w

ith stunning views over Belfast and

beyond. The breathtaking scenery, majestic

woodland paths and varied w

ildlife can be enjoyed any tim

e of year.

The Park was once the Estate of the

Dunville Fam

ily. Remains of the old

Dunville Estate can still be seen and

include the stables, the bear pit and the w

alled garden with original

features. Learn about their past including a w

orld famous w

hisky business, hot air ballooning and their private zoo at Redburn w

hich held exotic anim

als like Bruno, a tame

North A

merican black bear.

Dunville Estate

Woodland W

alks

Bruno the Bear

For those with an equestrian interest,

the woodland trails can be enjoyed on

horseback, creating your own unique

experience. Recomm

ended bridle paths are m

arked to ensure you get the best routes through the Park. Perm

its to use the bridle paths can be obtained from

Craw

fordsburn Country Park.

Horse Riding

Formed by John D

unville of Redburn in 1825, D

unville & Co. w

as a leading w

hisky blending business and successful tea m

erchants in Ireland. By the 1860s it had becom

e one of the largest whisky

distilleries in the world. Later, A

lcohol Prohibition from

1920-33 caused the D

unvilles to lose their Am

erican market.

Despite its repeal, they w

ere never able to recover sales w

hich eventually lead to the final closure of the Belfast distilleries.

World Renow

ned Whisky

Kite Flying on the hilltop

Horse Riding

The beauty and variety of the mixed

woodland, the com

pact distances and ever-changing w

oodland species m

ake this a wonderful place to explore

on foot. Whether you are a serious

rambler, trail runner or sim

ply want to

take a short stroll, follow the w

oodland paths and enjoy the w

ildlife on the way.

Journey to the hilltop and enjoy the panoram

ic viewpoint. At the top

visitors are rewarded w

ith breathtaking view

s from Belfast Lough to the south

Antrim

hills. This area is excellent for bird w

atching, plane spotting, kite flying or exploring the w

oodland and grassland habitats.

Dunville W

hisky

Robert Dunville &

ZebraO

riginal Dunville H

ouse

The number of sightings of kestrels has increased

in recent years. At Redburn they can often be seen perched on a high tree branch or m

ore often hovering over the hilltop sum

mit on the look out for prey.

After the First W

orld War, Robert

Lambert D

unville started a small zoo

at Redburn. His collection of

exotic animals included a

zebra, a panther and a bear called “Bruno” w

ho had a tam

e nature and was w

ell know

n for his tricks. Local legend tells how

Bruno w

as once kept in a small

quarry known as the Bear

Pit. After Robert’s death

in 1931 the private zoo w

as donated to Belfast zoological gardens form

ing the start of their collection w

hen it opened in 1934.

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Cover Photo courtesy of North Down Borough Council

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0 1000mMetres

Please note, this map is not drawn to scale. Distances are approximate.

Entrance/Exit

Ardtullagh LaneNative Hedgerow

Nun’s Wood

BeechWood

DreadnoughtWood

Bridge

Dunville Carpark

Private Dwelling

Old Holywood RoadOld Holywood Road

Bridge

Entrance/Exit

Walled Garden

Rory’s Glen

Holywood

Belfast

This area has a small seasonal stream which during periods of very wet weather, becomes a torrent cascading over exposed bedrock on its way downhill.

Entrance/Exit

GriseliniaAvenue

Rory’s Glen Carpark

Ardtullagh Lane

Scrub

Hilltop View Point

Site of Original Redburn HouseThe Park was once home to the Dunville Family who built their house here in 1866. Eventually demolished in 1972, remains of various structures from the old Estate can still be seen, including the bear pit where folklore has it that Bruno, the pet bear was kept.

‘Dreadnought Wood’ was planted as part of the Woodland Trust’s 2005 commemoration of the oak timbered warships that fought in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where Admiral Nelson lost his life defeating the French. It was named after one of Nelson’s ships with many Irish sailors on board.

Nun’s Wood is a mixed woodland with a variety of trees such as beech, hazel, rowan, horse chestnut and Scots pine.

NIEA Country Park CodeVisitors to the Park should remember the Park Code—

• Protect all wildlife

• Ensure dogs are under control at all times

• Please clean up after your dog

• No fires

• Please keep noise to a minimum

• The Park has natural hazards - supervise children,

especially around steep slopes and any open water

REDBURN COUNTRY PARKCovered with native and non native woodland, Redburn Country Park offers great woodland walks and a chance to explore nature. Enjoy bird watching throughout the Park, kite flying on the hilltop or explore the Park on horseback.

Bracken and gorse are widespread on the hilltop. As well as providing colour throughout the seasons they also offer shelter to wildlife. The dense structure of the gorse and quantity of bracken provides important refuge for birds in harsh weather and is essential for their survival in winter.

Hilltop Wildlife

Exotic trees and shurbs were procured by plant hunters over 100 years ago and were brought to Redburn to be planted in the Dunville Estate. Native species such as holly, rowan and hazel share the woodland with non natives such as beech, rhododendron and laurel. The woodland carpet is also home to some rare fungi such as the Short-stalked brittle cap Russula curtipes which had its first Irish sighting at Redburn Country Park.

Bird Watching

The Country Park’s beech woods, scrubland and grassland provide both shelter and food for many varieties of birds throughout the year.

Woodland Biodiversity Sparrowhawk Jay

Curlew

Beech Trees

Small Tortoiseshell

Short-stalked Brittle Cap

Rowan Tree

Look out For —SparrowhawksCurlewsBuzzardsYellowhammers

TitsFinchesWarblersBlackcaps

The vegetation, wildflowers and gorse are an essential source of pollen and nectar to bees and allow a wide range of insects to thrive including solitary wasps, butterflies, hoverflies and grasshoppers. This also benefits the various bird species as insects are a very reliable food source all year.

Insects

Public Paths

Easy Path

Difficult Path steps & steep slopes

Moderate Path Bridle Path

Suitable for Wheelchairs

Recommended Running Trail

Map Key

Car Park

Entrance/Exit

Stepped Area

Bridge

Bear Pit

Bridle Car Park

Hilltop Viewpoint