Londonderry
Head to County Londonderry for scenic beauty and tranquil countryside that’s hard to beat
Sightseeing
A breathtaking temple and a Mesolithic site
Binevenagh Forest, Limavady
This lovely mature conifer and broadleaved woodland offers great views and excellent walks, and is just five miles from Limavady.
Downhill and Mussenden Temple
Lough Beg, Magherafelt
This small lake is a nature reserve with an interesting variety of birds. There’s also a small island called Church Island, which you can sometimes walk out to during dry weather.
See more highlightsMount Sandel Fort and Mesolithic Site, Coleraine
Overlooking the River Bann, the remains of a small collection of huts dates back to some of the earlier people inhabiting Ireland dating from the 7
Ness Wood Country Park
This vast wood shows signs of occupation that stretches back to the Bronze Age and occupies over 50 hectares with oak, birch, rowan and holy trees.
Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone and County Londonderry
Threaded by streams and small roads, the Sperrins are bounded by the towns of Strabane, Dungiven, Magherafelt and Newtownstewart.
Activities
Fly high over the Londonderry countryside or take to the waters
Benone Beach and Tourist Complex, Limivady
The glistening white sands and clear waters of Benone Beach are famous in the Limavady area, and a tourist complex with a nine-hole par three golf course, nature reserve, caravan park and community hall has also been developed by the Borough Council.
Birdwatching
Lough Foyle is one of the best birdwatching spots in the country with whooper swan, pale-bellied brent goose, wigeon and bar-tailed godwit winter in significant numbers, as well as a host of other flocks.
Flying
Why not try something different and take to the skies at the beautifully located Eglinton Flying School at the edge of Lough Foyle.
See more highlightsGolf
County Londonderry boasts a really varied selection of golf clubs from the beautiful Radisson SAS Roe Park Hotel and Golf Resort, which enjoys Lough Foyle and the Inishowen peninsula as a backdrop, to Castlerock Golf Club set amidst beautifully undulating dunes.
Ness Wood Country Park
This vast wood shows signs of occupation that stretches back to the Bronze Age and occupies over 50 hectares with oak, birch, rowan and holy trees.
Watersports
Make the most of the scenic beauty of the area and take to the waters around the Sperrin Region. The Ballyronan Marina offers a wide array of watersports including boating and canoeing.
Children
From friendly open farms with a wide range of animals to model villages
Castledawson Open Farm, Leitrim Road, Castledawson
Moneymore Model Village, High Street, Londonderry
Culture & festivals
Enjoy County Londonderry’s pretty cottages and elegant houses
Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival, Londonderry
Don a silly mask and get into the spirit of things with Ireland’s largest Hallowe’en party.
Foyle Film Festival
Over 200 movies are screened every year during the Foyle Film Festival in November. With special guests, a range of workshops and seminars, plus a fantastic awards ceremony, the festival is themed every year.
Hezlett House (between Derry City and the Giant’s Causeway)
This lovely thatched cottage dates back to 1690 making it one of the oldest buildings in Northern Ireland.
See more highlightsLondonderry Halloween festival
Don your masks for the longest running carnival in Ireland on October 31st each year.
Springhill House and Costume Collection, Moneymore
A delightfully pretty house that is filled with portraits, furniture and decorative arts as well as a friendly ghost called Olivia. The costume collection has some lovely 18th to 20th century pieces.
Eating, Drinking & Luxury
Chill out in style at a Victorian country house and luxury resort
Ardtara Country House
A lovely Victorian country house with generously sized bedrooms, period details and luxury furnishings.
Radisson SAS Roe Park Resort
Relaxing, luxurious and packed with a wide array of leisure facilities, the Radisson SAS Roe Park is a nicely situated place, which combines country house hotel style with modern conveniences.
Gay & Lesbian
Head to the city for County Londonderry’s gay scene
Pepes Bar & Nightclub
Shopping
Shop for crystal and crafts, or browse around at Northern Ireland’s biggest shopping centre
City of Derry Crystal
Colmcille Stone Crafts
Inspired by the mythical Irish Celtic era, Colmcille Stone Crafts produce unique mirrors, clocks and pieces of artwork.
Foyleside Shopping Centre
Winner of Northern Ireland’s Best Shopping Centre 2004, Foyleside is a big and busy place with over 45 shops to browse through.