Murlough National Nature Reserve

Murlough National Nature Reserve in Autumn

Murlough National Nature Reserve Exmoor pony — Exmoor pony looking of the dunes at Murlough NNR

A couple walks their dogs at Murlough National Nature Reserve — Around 250,000 people tread the dunes annually

Take a walk at Murlough Nature Reserve and enjoy majestic views of the Mourne Mountains

A beautiful frosty morning at Murlough National Nature Reserve

Important notice -

Our car parks are open daily for pay and display. Please note the main Car Park gate is locked at 5pm.

An extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape

Overview
Opening times
Prices
How to get here
Facilities and access
Contact us

A family enjoying the outdoors in autumn or winter

Visiting information for this winter

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Our work

A view of Murlough National Nature Reserce — The boardwalk at Murlough spans 3km of the reserve

Murlough Boardwalk Appeal

We're restoring the boardwalk at Murlough and we need your help

Help us look after Murlough

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Things to see and do

Experience the changing seasons at Murlough National Nature Reserve

Autumn at Murlough

The summer season has definitely let go and the autumn falls rapidly upon us. As you get to know a place like Murlough and observe its many natural features you realise there is no distinct division between its seasons.

A couple walks their dogs at Murlough National Nature Reserve

Walks and Trails

Discover the trails we love on site, as well as new walks at some of the other amazing conservation sites we look after in Co. Down.

Murlough Beach and dunes with Mournes in the distance

Murlough through the seasons

Visit us throughout the year to see how this stunning site evolves as the seasons change.

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Wildlife

Murlough National Nature Reserve bumblebee feeding

Wonderful wildlife

We're home to more that 600 species of butterfly and moths, rare birds and mammals and an array of stunning flora.

Murlough National Nature Reserve

History

View to the Mourne Mountains from Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down, Northern Ireland

Human occupation and influence at Murlough

Discover how humans have influenced the landscape of our 6,000 year old dune system.

Murlough National Nature Reserve, woodland, trees, nature

The history of Murlough's trees and woodland

Most of the trees at Murlough date from the acquisition of the Dundrum estate (including Murlough) by the Downshire Estate in 1783.

Places nearby

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Walking towards the saddle of the Mournes, Slieve Donard

The Mournes

The most famous of the mountains in the country

A couple walking in the woodland at Rowallane Garden, County Down

Rowallane Garden

A treasure trove of magical gardens and woodlands

Castle Ward on a snowy day

Castle Ward

Unique 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles

Brent geese over Strangford Lough

Strangford Lough

A most beautiful landscape of international importance

Derrymore House

Derrymore House

Late 18th-century thatched house in gentrified vernacular style

The Riverside Trail at Minnowburn

Minnowburn

Close to the city, in the heart of the country

Join

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Everyone needs nature, now more than ever. Donate today and you could help people and nature to thrive at the places we care for.

Ways to give

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Facilities and access

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Prices

Murlough National Nature Reserve Parking

	Gift Aid	Standard
Car	N/A	£3.00

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.

Please note...

Pay and Display in effect all year round.
Car: £5.00 (March - October)
£3.00 (November - February)

Minibus: £7.00

Coach: £16.00

Motorbike: £2.00

Bicycles: Free

Murlough National Nature Reserve

Opening times

Important notice -

Our car parks are open daily for pay and display. Please note the main Car Park gate is locked at 5pm.

Please note...

Car park gates close at 5pm Oct - Feb, 7pm Mar - Sep. The toilet facilities are closed until March 2021. Pay and Display is in effect year round with Pay by Phone available.

Sat 16
Sun 17
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
See all opening times

Saturday 16 January

Sunday 17 January

Monday 18 January

Tuesday 19 January

Wednesday 20 January

Thursday 21 January

Friday 22 January