Minnowburn
Close to the city, in the heart of the country
Minnowburn
Overview
Close to the city, in the heart of the country
Minnowburn is on the southern edge of Belfast, its meadows and woodlands rolling down to the Lagan river - perfect for a short stroll or the start of a longer walk.
Dander along the burn that gives the area its name, beeches towering above, past where generations of children fished for minnows.
Climb Terrace Hill and discover the garden built by linen merchant Ned Robinson, where you can have a picnic or take in the views across the Lagan valley.
The old avenue curves back down the hill to the Sandpit field, which in once reverberated to the sound of ‘Pop for Peace’, a concert in 1969 endorsed by John Lennon.
On the other side is a short walk to the Giant’s Ring, a huge neolithic earth henge and tomb where you can imagine scenes of ancient gatherings and rituals.
Paths wind through fields, past the mill village of Edenderry and back to the river, to its first historical crossing at Shaw’s bridge, named after an officer in Oliver Cromwell’s army.
Keep an eye out for sculptures and natural art along the path and see if you can catch the blue flash of a Kingfisher, or an Otter poking its head above the water.
- Telephone
- 02890647787
- minnowburn@nationaltrust.org.uk
Minnowburn
How to get here
- Address
- Edenderry Road, Belfast, County Down, BT8 8LE
- By cycle
- From National Cycle Network Route 9, cross over to the south side of the river at Shaw's Bridge or the Gilchrist Bridge and look for the National Trust signs.
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- From Shaw's Bridge or the Lagan towpath, cross over to the south side of the river and look for the National Trust signs.
- By train
- 2 miles from Balmoral Station. Follow Musgrave Park Court to the A55 (Stockman's Lane) and turn right. Follow the A55 (Stockman's Lane and Balmoral Avenue) for about 1 mile to the Malone Road and turn right. Walk along the Malone Road for about 1 mile, taking the left branch of the roundabout (A55) to Shaw's Bridge. Turn right onto the Ballylesson Road, then right onto the Edenderry Road.
- By road
- From North/Belfast: From A55 Malone/Milltown Road, in south Belfast, at Shaw's Bridge, follow the brown signs, turning off onto the Ballylesson Road, then right onto the Edenderry Road. The car park is just over the bridge. From South/Lisburn: On the B23 Hillhall/Ballylesson Road, take the first left fork signposted 'Giant's Ring', then straight on, turning left onto the Edenderry Road after about 1 mile. The car park is just over the bridge.
- Parking: free
- SatNav:
- By bus
- From the Europa Buscentre in the centre of Belfast, take either routes 13D or 513 and stop on the Malone/Milltown Road near Shaw's Bridge. Follow the path under Shaw's bridge on the south of the river Lagan.
Minnowburn
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Minnowburn
Opening times
Tuesday 19 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 20 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 21 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 22 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 23 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Sunday 24 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Monday 25 February
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Minnowburn
Contact us
- Telephone
- 02890647787
- minnowburn@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Edenderry Road, Belfast, County Down, BT8 8LE