Days Out NI
Activity Centre Markethill

Gosford Forest Park Adventure Trail

A free natural adventure play trail through 240 hectares of forest park.

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OpenCheck times ahead
TicketedPer activity
MarkethillActivity centre
Get directionsOfficial website
Half a dayHow long
Toddlers to aro…Best for
TicketedCost
On siteParking
OutdoorsSetting

Gosford Forest Park Adventure Trail — A free natural adventure play trail through 240 hectares of forest park.

  • What’s here: Adventure play trail (five structures), double zip wire, 16km walking/cycling/horse-riding trails, arboretum, walled garden.
  • Booking: Not needed for the park or play trail.
  • Best for ages: Toddlers to around 11.
Plan your visit

Five play structures through the trees

The adventure play trail is the reason most families come. It threads through woodland and links five timber-and-rope structures designed by Outdoor Recreation NI. Little ones get a nature-play zone with swings, slides, trampolines and sensory features. The Woodpecker structure is a set of interconnecting nests and bridges rising several metres. The Squirrel rope course is aimed at ages 7 to 11. The Giant is a 6-metre climbing character with a tube slide, and the Castle Tower carries a double zip wire. It is unsupervised, self-led play, so you watch your own children and pick what suits their age and confidence.

Free adventure play trail Double zip wire Self-led, no booking Toddler to age 11 16km of trails Pay-and-display parking
Good to know before you go:

Forest parks and activity sites run seasonal events, holiday activities and trail days through the year; check the park's own council pages for current dates, activities and any charges.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧦SocksGrip socks for the inflatables and soft play, or your own for bowling.
  • 💷Pocket moneyFor the arcade, extra activities and a bite to eat.
  • 📱A bookingThe popular slots fill up at weekends and on wet days — book ahead.
  • 👟Comfy clothesYou’ll be jumping, climbing and racing about all visit.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Council-run forest park with a free natural adventure play trail (not an instructor-led adventure centre)
Activities
Adventure play trail (five structures), double zip wire, 16km walking/cycling/horse-riding trails, arboretum, walled garden
Minimum age / height
Mixed by structure; Squirrel rope course aimed at ages 7-11, toddler nature-play area for the youngest. Self-led, parent-supervised
Best for ages
Toddlers to around 11
Booking
Not needed for the park or play trail
Cost
Play trail free; pay-and-display parking around £5 all day per car (check current prices)
Season / weather
Open year-round with seasonal hours; play trail and trails are outdoors and best in dry weather
Accommodation
Council-run campsite on site with pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents; check current pitch types, facilities and prices directly
Parking
On-site pay-and-display car park, signposted off the A28
How long to allow
Half a day to a full day
Address
Gosford Forest Park, Markethill, Co Armagh, BT60 1GD
Questions

Before you go

What’s there to do?
Adventure play trail (five structures), double zip wire, 16km walking/cycling/horse-riding trails, arboretum, walled garden
Do I need to book?
Not needed for the park or play trail
What ages is it good for?
Toddlers to around 11
Getting there

Gosford Forest Park Adventure Trail is at Gosford Forest Park, Markethill, Co Armagh, BT60 1GD. On-site pay-and-display car park, signposted off the A28. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around MarkethillSee what else is close by More indoor fun & rainy-day winners across NISoft play, bowling, arcades and adventure
The story

About the park

Gosford Forest Park covers some 240 hectares of woodland and parkland outside Markethill and is managed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The natural adventure play trail, designed by Outdoor Recreation NI and funded by the council, opened in 2020 and was promoted as one of Ireland's largest forest adventure play trails.

Beyond the play trail the park is known for its arboretum, walled garden and the landmark Gosford Castle, with miles of multi-use trails through gentle drumlin countryside.