Things to see and do Ireland

Ness and Ervey Woods Nature Reserves

Set in the Burntollet Valley within Ness Country Park, this nature reserve provides the opportunity to explore peaceful woodland, a gorge and high waterfall. Paths wind their way through the canopy of oak, ash and beech woodland, along the Burntollet River to Ness waterfall, then open onto parkland between the two blocks of woodland. Damper parts of the wood are dripping with mosses, ferns and lichens and this is the only site in Northern Ireland where welsh pocket moss is found.

Bluebells and wood sorrel carpet the ground in spring and bilberry and hazel provide food for the birds and in summer, warblers fill the glades with birdsong. Watch for elusive red squirrels high in the trees and for signs of badgers digging in the soil. Otters are known to hunt in the river. Bright red holly and rowan berries provide a flash of colour in the winter woodland. Look above the canopy of the stately oaks to see small clouds of purple hairstreak butterflies in summer.

The best time to visit is late spring for woodland flowers, summer for purple hairstreak butterflies, autumn for woodland colour and red squirrels and all year round for a beautiful woodland walk.

There is a visitor centre, car park, toilets, picnic tables and interpretation panels as well as maintained paths and walkways.

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