A guided summer stroll around Oakfield Glen

The beautiful County Antrim wood is showing-off a new look, made possible thanks to grant-aid from the NGO Challenge Fund 2014.

Oakfield Glen was once a countryman’s residence, built in the early 1800s and decorated with fine gardens and exotic plantings.  While there are no traces of the house itself, some magnificent specimen trees, including a coast redwood, remain. Other reminders of days gone by include an old ice house, which has now been uncovered and restored to its former glory.

Walkers should also keep a look out for some special magical inhabitants.  The crafty creations, which are actually steel sculptures, take the shape of fairy-like or Púca creatures.  In Irish folklore the Púca are said to be the most mischievous of all the fairies in Ireland; so Oakfield’s latest residents may be hiding in the treetops.      

Michelle McCaughtry, the Woodland Trust’s people engagement officer, says:  “This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a breath of fresh air on a summer’s evening.  Oakfield Glen is the most beautiful old woodland, with a charming burn and Victorian stone bridge.  The mature woodland and more recent planting collectively provide a precious habitat for wildlife, from bullfinches to sparrowhawks.”

To find out more or to book a place(s) at this free event please contact Michelle McCaughtry on 028 9127 5787 or email [email protected] 

The walk begins from Oakfield Community Centre, just off Oakfield Drive, and will be led by Woodland Trust volunteer Peter Lyons. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Oakfield Glen is freely open to visitors all year round. For a copy of the new wood information leaflet visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk and search for Oakfield Glen