Hillsborough Castle opens new interactive kids play-trail
This looks like so much fun ☀️
By Josh Henry
A new outdoor play-trail for kids of all ages is officially open at the grounds of Hillsborough Castle.
The adventure course called ‘Imaginary Menagerie’ was funded by Tourism NI and The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is part of a 24 million restoration of the castle which was closed for much of 2020.
It hopes to give the youngsters an understanding of the wildlife around the castle, as well as the pets which visit the attraction, through fun filled physical play.
Split into two different tracks, the Kingfisher which is located around the lakes, and the Robin which is placed around the castle’s gardens.
Shan McAnena, at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens said, “The Kingfisher Trail takes the visitors around the lake where they can enjoy a barefoot walk, get muddy, explore our sensory table and even take in some bird watching in the custom-built bird hide. They can also say hello to Hillsborough’s local rare breed cows and listen for the buzz of our honeybees in our three hives.
“The Robin Trail encourages our visitors to stray off the beaten track to find the giant birds nest, test their knowledge of the sounds of nature in our ‘talking tubes’ and explore the Crannog hideaway.”
Local art is on show too as the Robin track features a 14 ft bird cage which was crafted by a local blacksmith, Ballinliss Forge in Newry.
Belfast artist Kevin Killen’s Shoal of Fish sculpture is another piece of art on the trail which is an ode to former Governor of Northern Ireland, Lord Erskine’s love for tropical fish.
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