Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve is near Parkgate, Ballyclare in Northern Ireland.
The site includes seven acres of lowland hay meadow/rush pasture, a rare and declining habitat in Northern Ireland. It is one of the best examples of wildflower rich meadows in the province. In development are a series of new ponds for dragonflies, damselflies and frogs. Regular events and activities, aimed particularly at school children and families, offer visitors opportunities to enjoy the wildlife of this 12-acre site, and inspire local action for nature.
For more information on our work in Northern Ireland or to get involved, please email our Northern Ireland Manager, Bertie at: bertie.stirling@arocha.org.
How to get to Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve (HMNR)
Directions from Belfast
Take the M2 (to the North) towards Templepatrick and the Airport (Belfast International)
Leave the M2 at Junction 5 for A 57 International Airport, Templepatrick and Ballyclare. Keep to the left-hand lane and turn left for Airport. At the first roundabout (Templepatrick) , leave at the third exit on Paradise walk for Parkgate. Drive for 1 mile and turn off to right on B95 for Parkgate, Doagh, Ballyclare. Drive to the west side of Parkgate and turn off North on Grange Road past the Primary School. Drive along Grange Road for 650 metres and turn off to left on Hollybank Road. Continue 320 metres and turn left on concrete lane; drive to top of the lane. Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve is on the left.
Directions from Ballymena
Leave Ballymena on the M2 or A26 travelling south. From the Ballee Roundabout travel along the A26 for7 miles and just past the Dunsilly ‘Park & Ride’ (keep to left-hand lane) turn off on to the M2 towards Belfast and Antrim Hospital. Continue on M2 for another 7 miles and leave at junction 5 for (A57) Larne, Ballyclare, Templepatrick. Turn right at the Roundabout (A57) for International Airport and Templepatrick. . At the next (Templepatrick) roundabout, leave at the third exit on Paradise walk for Parkgate. Drive for 1 mile and turn off to right on B95 for Parkgate, Doagh, Ballyclare. Drive to the west side of Parkgate and turn off North on Grange Road past the Primary School. Drive along Grange Road for 650 metres and turn off to left on Hollybank Road. Continue 320 metres and turn left on concrete lane; drive to top of the lane. Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve is on the left.
Directions from Larne
Take the A8 south-west towards Belfast Londonderry. Continue on the A8 for 9 miles and turn off for International Airport & Ballyclare on A57. Continue on A57 (for Airport) for 7 miles. At the (Templepatrick) roundabout, leave at third exit on Paradise walk for Parkgate. Drive for 1 mile and turn off to right on B95 for Parkgate, Doagh, Ballyclare. Drive to the west side of Parkgate and turn off North on Grange Road past the Primary School. Drive along Grange Road for 650 metres and turn off to left on Hollybank Road. Continue 320 metres and turn left on concrete lane; drive to top of the lane. Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve is on the left.
By bus – the 154 bus leaves ‘The Roddens ‘(Larne) and stops in Parkgate.
Directions from Toome
From the Castlederg Roundabout take the A 26 and continue on A6 /M22/M2 for 17 miles. Leave M2 at junction 5 for (A57) Larne, Ballyclare, Templepatrick. Turn right at the Roundabout (A57) for International Airport and Templepatrick.At the next (Templepatrick) roundabout, leave at the third exit on Paradise walk for Parkgate. Drive for 1 mile and turn off to right on B95 for Parkgate, Doagh, Ballyclare. Drive to the west side of Parkgate and turn off North on Grange Road past the Primary School. Drive along Grange Road for 650 metres and turn off to left on Hollybank Road. Continue 320 metres and turn left on concrete lane; drive to the top of the lane. Hugh’s Meadow Nature Reserve is on the left.
For anyone really stuck there is an International Airport Bus shuttle from Europa Bus Centre in Belfast
which stops in Templepatrick. Templepatrick to HMNR is 3 miles (no public transport)
There is also a 168b bus from Antrim Bus Centre stopping in Parkgate.