Roe Valley Country Park facts for kids

The Roe Valley Country Park is a beautiful forest area located southwest of Limavady in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It's a special place that protects part of the River Roe. The park is looked after by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which helps keep nature safe.

This park stretches for about 3 miles (5 km) along the river. It's mostly filled with deciduous trees, which are trees that lose their leaves in autumn. These trees grow close to the river on both sides. The land next to the river often forms a steep gorge, which is like a deep, narrow valley. There are also some flat grassy areas, especially on the northwest side of the river.

The River Roe is quite special. When it rains a lot, the river can get very full and flow much faster. This happens because a large area of land, called a catchment area, drains water into it. You can see this best near the visitor centre, where the river rushes through a narrow part of the gorge. There's also a cool legend about the river: a brave dog supposedly leaped across the Roe to warn the O'Cahan family of Limavady about danger, carrying a message in its mouth!

What Can You See at Roe Valley?

The park has a helpful visitor centre. Here, you can find offices for the park staff, a cafe where you can grab a snack, and a space with exhibitions. There's also an area for presentations where you can learn more about the park.

Green Lane Museum

Close to the visitor centre, you'll find the Green Lane Museum. This museum shows off the history of the local area. You can learn about the old linen industry, how people used to farm, and see tools and items from rural life long ago. It's a great way to step back in time!

History of the Park

In the 1700s, the local linen industry was very important and was based right here in the park. You can still see parts of it today, like fields where flax (the plant used to make linen) was dried. There are also old watch towers, ruined buildings, and a waterwheel. This waterwheel once powered the machines that helped make linen.

The park also has a disused hydroelectric power station. This station was the first of its kind to operate in Northern Ireland, starting way back in 1896! It used the power of the river to create electricity.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Roe Valley Country Park offers many activities for visitors to enjoy. It's a great place to explore nature and have an adventure.

River Activities

If you enjoy fishing, you can fish for salmon and brown trout in the River Roe. You just need to make sure you have a permit first. Some parts of the river have rapids and weirs (small dams), which are popular for kayaking. However, it's important to know that the park officially has rules about boats and canoes, so always check before you go.

Some people also enjoy swimming in the section of the river below O'Cahan's Rock, where there's a bridge and a weir. For those who like a challenge, scrambling on the rock faces at O'Cahan's Rock has been limited to keep everyone safe.

Exploring the Forest

The forest areas in the park are often used for orienteering. This is a fun activity where you use a map and compass to find your way through the woods. Local clubs and schools from Limavady often come here for orienteering events.

Crossing the River

There are several bridges that cross the River Roe throughout the park. The bridge near the visitor centre is the only one suitable for vehicles. Other footbridges allow you to walk across the river in different spots, like below the O'Cahan's Rock car park, below O'Cahan's Rock itself, at Carrick Mills, and below Carrick Church. These bridges make it easy to explore both sides of the river.

Planning Your Visit

Keep in mind that the Green Lane Museum usually closes for the winter months. It reopens around Easter time. It's always a good idea to contact the park staff before your visit to check their opening hours, especially if you plan to visit the museum.