Camping in Lough Neagh

·

Covering 392 square kilometres, Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in Britain and Ireland and the perfect place for a tranquil escape, with quiet bays, islands, wildlife habitats, and unspoilt scenery. Make the most of a visit with boating or a cruise on the lake. Ram Island has the remains of an ancient monastic settlement and round tower, while Oxford Island Nature Reserve has wildflower meadows, woodland, and bird hides for viewing wintering wildfowl. Around the shore, there’s the 128-mile Loughshore Trail for walking or cycling plus more opportunities for nature watching. You will hear plenty of history and legends along the way—even the lake itself was said to be created by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Top-rated campgrounds in Lough Neagh

The Lost Meadow

1. The Lost Meadow

NI · 1 unit
A mile from the nearest road and hundreds of meters from the nearest house there is tiny off grid log cabin in a secluded woodland clearing beside a large natural wildflower meadow. The clearing is surrounded by mature hedges and trees and you can lock the gates from inside if you want to enjoy nature ‘au naturale’ although the whole estate is clothing optional for any naturists who care to visit. As well as the composting toilet there is an outdoor kitchen and a gas powered outdoor shower. Solar panels provide lights for the cabin and the kitchen. There is plenty room for up to three large tents in the clearing which is home to some fruiting apple and cherry trees, as well as blackberry bushes (feel free to help yourself in season) The fire pit is safe to use and we can supply firewood if needed. The whole estate is a privately owned wildlife and biodiversity project. Guests are free to roam both the woodland which has over 10,000 native broadleaf trees and the 5 acres of natural wildflower meadow. The owners who live on site in a carbon free eco house are beekeepers and produce the locally renowned ‘Ballymoney Honey’ which is available to buy on site in season. There is a growing bird hide (willow dome) in one of the clearings which has views over the upper meadow and the ground nesting birds that live there. We don’t permit dogs or insect repellents anywhere in the estate to protect the birds and wildlife that lives here. Sorry!
Campfires
Showers
Potable water

Covering 392 square kilometres, Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in Britain and Ireland and the perfect place for a tranquil escape, with quiet bays, islands, wildlife habitats, and unspoilt scenery. Make the most of a visit with boating or a cruise on the lake. Ram Island has the remains of an ancient monastic settlement and round tower, while Oxford Island Nature Reserve has wildflower meadows, woodland, and bird hides for viewing wintering wildfowl. Around the shore, there’s the 128-mile Loughshore Trail for walking or cycling plus more opportunities for nature watching. You will hear plenty of history and legends along the way—even the lake itself was said to be created by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Top-rated campgrounds in Lough Neagh

The Lost Meadow

1. The Lost Meadow

NI · 1 unit
A mile from the nearest road and hundreds of meters from the nearest house there is tiny off grid log cabin in a secluded woodland clearing beside a large natural wildflower meadow. The clearing is surrounded by mature hedges and trees and you can lock the gates from inside if you want to enjoy nature ‘au naturale’ although the whole estate is clothing optional for any naturists who care to visit. As well as the composting toilet there is an outdoor kitchen and a gas powered outdoor shower. Solar panels provide lights for the cabin and the kitchen. There is plenty room for up to three large tents in the clearing which is home to some fruiting apple and cherry trees, as well as blackberry bushes (feel free to help yourself in season) The fire pit is safe to use and we can supply firewood if needed. The whole estate is a privately owned wildlife and biodiversity project. Guests are free to roam both the woodland which has over 10,000 native broadleaf trees and the 5 acres of natural wildflower meadow. The owners who live on site in a carbon free eco house are beekeepers and produce the locally renowned ‘Ballymoney Honey’ which is available to buy on site in season. There is a growing bird hide (willow dome) in one of the clearings which has views over the upper meadow and the ground nesting birds that live there. We don’t permit dogs or insect repellents anywhere in the estate to protect the birds and wildlife that lives here. Sorry!
Campfires
Showers
Potable water

Lough Neagh camping guide

When to go

Spring and summer are the best months for wildflower and wildlife viewing, while winter can provide opportunities for observing wintering visiting birds. Summer will bring the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours for boating and cycling. Biting midges can be a nuisance around the lake in summer months. Bank holidays, the week around 12 July, and times of local festivals and events are busy. Winter temperatures are cooler and many attractions and activities close from around the end of October until Easter.

Know before you go

  • Always bring warm layers and a waterproof outer layer on outings as weather can change at short notice.
  • Check weather forecasts before taking part in watersports and wear personal buoyancy.
  • The Loughshore Trail has some sections on main roads and through towns with traffic.
  • Don’t leave valuables unattended in campsites or vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring and summer are the best months for wildflower and wildlife viewing around Lough Neagh. Winter can also provide opportunities for observing wintering visiting birds. Biting midges can be a nuisance around the lake in summer months. Bank holidays, the week around 12 July, and times of local festivals and events are busy. Winter temperatures are cooler and many attractions and activities close from around the end of October until Easter. Always bring warm layers and a waterproof outer layer on outings as weather can change at short notice. Check weather forecasts before taking part in watersports and wear personal buoyancy. The Loughshore Trail has some sections on main roads and through towns with traffic. Don’t leave valuables unattended in campsites or vehicles.

Summer will bring the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours for boating and cycling around Lough Neagh. You can also explore different options for camping near Lough Neagh on Hipcamp.

Ram Island has the remains of an ancient monastic settlement and round tower, while Oxford Island Nature Reserve has wildflower meadows, woodland, and bird hides for viewing wintering wildfowl. Around the shore, there’s the 128-mile Loughshore Trail for walking or cycling plus more opportunities for nature watching. You will hear plenty of history and legends along the way—even the lake itself was said to be created by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Top regions near Lough Neagh