We all want to enjoy the outdoors with our close family and friends but there are a few things we still need to be mindful of.
Alongside Government protocols and public health guidelines, here are some tips to help us all to make decisions using our own sound judgement, continue to be considerate to others and not put stresses on the NHS and other Emergency Services, so we can all enjoy a healthy and safe visit to our outdoors.
- Stay apart
- Stay active & share the space (keep moving and no BBQ’s for now)
- Choose a quiet location
- Choose a quiet time
- Be considerate of other visitors/users – stay a few hours, not all day
- Respect staff and volunteers
- Don’t risk injury – protect the NHS and emergency services
- Keep your dog under control
- Keep your dog away from other people
- Clean your hands before and after your visit
Leave no trace
- Please take your rubbish home – you can help everyone by taking your own litter home with you
- Respect farm animals and wildlife – Wildlife may have got used to you not being there and nested somewhere close by, please give nature some space to flourish
- Plan ahead – Plan your day around your needs and what will be available
- Have a back-up plan if the venue is full when you reach it – Please do not park outside of designated parking spaces or on verges or gateways
Love the place
- Check site and facilities you need (such as car parks and toilets) are open before you leave home – You can travel for outdoor recreation, but consider if you need to currently until the service you need are available again
- Leave gates as you found them
- Keep roads clear – make sure emergency services, local farmers or local residents will be able to pass by and to access fields, forests or houses.
- If the car park is full, go somewhere else
More information
Have a look at the websites below for ideas of places to visit close to you and information about whether the facilities are open.
Central Government sites
- DAERA Country Parks
- DAERA Forests
- DAERA Inland Fisheries
- Inland Waterways
- Stormont Estate
- DfI NI Water
- DfC Historic Monuments
- Discover NI (Heritage)
- Sport NI
- Loughs Agency
Collective websites
Local Authority sites
- Antrim & Newtownabbey
- Ards & North Down
- Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon
- Belfast City Council
- Causeway Coasts & Glens
- Derry & Strabane
- Fermanagh & Omagh
- Lisburn & Castlereagh
- Mid & East Antrim
- Mid Ulster
- Newry, Mourne & Down
