Are you trying to discover the best things to do with kids in Cookstown? Davagh Forest is a sprawling natural woodland and outdoor adventure park situated in the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. It serves as an engaging outdoor activity centre where families can explore winding walking trails, experience world-class mountain biking routes, and enjoy an educational day out in the fresh air.

Prices start from £0.00 as entry to the main forest park paths, parking zones, and basic walking routes is completely free. You only need to budget for independent mountain bike hire or individual entry tickets if you choose to visit the stargazing centre located deeper within the woods.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that gets everyone moving in nature, this forest park is a fantastic choice. It provides a peaceful, expansive, and highly secure environment where kids can confidently ride their bikes while parents enjoy the riverside scenery and mature woodland paths.

Key Features

• Educational Day Out: Children can observe wild local habitats, learn about ancient peatlands, and discover the dark sky environment of the Sperrins.
• Sensory Play Elements: Listening to the rushing waters of the Carey Burn river and feeling the textures of moss, pine needles, and mountain stones provide exceptional sensory stimulation.

Detailed Highlights

• The Davagh Stream Walkway: A peaceful riverside trail that follows the rushing Carey Burn river over small wooden bridges. Kids will love looking out for wild brown trout and watching the water tumble over river rocks.
• The Skills Biking Area: A dedicated practice zone right next to the main car park featuring gentle dirt mounds and pump tracks. It is perfect for younger kids to build confidence before hitting the bigger forest trails.
• The Green Multi-Use Trail: A wide, flat circular path designed specifically for families, beginners, and walkers. Children can easily cycle alongside parents without encountering steep drops or technical obstacles.
• The Eagle's Rock Viewpoint: A higher trail point that looks out over a massive, dramatic stone cliff face rising above the trees. Older children will enjoy the challenge of the climb and the expansive views from the top.
• The Playful Timber Bridges: Multiple wooden bridges crossing over the streams throughout the forest routes. Kids love running across them and playing classic games of Pooh sticks with fallen twigs.

Detailed Inventory & Beyond the Main Attraction

• The Carey Burn River Path
• The Davagh Forest Green Biking Trail
• The Davagh Forest Blue Biking Trail
• The Davagh Forest Red Biking Trail
• The Pump Track Skills Zone
• The Eagle's Rock Historic Lookout
• The Sperrins Dark Sky Corridor Connection
• The Timber Stream Bridges