Glenpark Estate celebrates Tourism NI Investment Support

Glenpark Estate owners Selina and Richard Beattie join Sheena Dickson, Landscape & Activities Tourism Manager, Tourism NI, and David McKinley, Architect as they launch new facilities at the park. The project was part funded by Tourism NI Experience Development Programme.

The family have worked with Tourism NI to deliver on their ambitious plans to turn the site into an active tourism experience with a focus on days out, food and quality outdoor experiences.

Visitors to the new Glenpark Estate can now enjoy a new visitor welcome area, new walks and tourism experiences including farm tours, cookery experience and a new children’s play area, all supported by Tourism NI through the Tourism NI Experience Development Programme.

The caravan and camping site have reopened, and a new outdoor cooking area has been created. New signage has also been created to guide visitors around the site. Activities including mediation, yoga and Thai Chi are all available to book during the year at the Estate. A new website and branding is also in place.

Already Glenpark Estate is well established as a days out and wedding venue and offers accommodation, as well as a number of restaurants. The newly established open farm is host to animals including Valais Black nose sheep, highland & longhorn cattle and deer. Tours of the farm are available and can be prebooked through the Estate team.

The Estate has a strong focus on local food and sourcing, with weekly menus, created by Head Chef Paul Quinn. The farm shop on site, also hosts seasonal produce, local artisan food, baking and local arts and crafts.

Welcoming the investment from Tourism NI Experience Development Programme, Richard Beattie, owner of Glenpark said;

“We are delighted to see the success of Glenpark Estate already and are thrilled to see the site working so well and becoming established as a great day out for families and friends wanting to explore, meet up or relax in this lovely area. From the outset, we have wanted to create Glenpark Estate as a vibrant multi visitor site and its really thriving among the Sperrins as a great place to visit. We are now offering accommodation on site, caravanning, camping, retail, outdoor activities and handpicked outdoor and cooking experiences on site. All are environmentally friendly and sustainable, and we have a rich annual events programme – the Estate now has so much to offer.”

“Working to deliver tourism excellence in Glenpark Estate through the funding from Tourism NI Experience Development Programme, we have created a natural outdoor experience on the site, embracing all of the key assets and natural elements of the existing site and maximising and further focusing on its position adjoining the neighbouring Gortin Glens forest park, including trails and a new children’s play area,” Richard added.

Welcoming the developments in Glenpark Estate, Sheena Dickson, Landscape & Activities Tourism Manager from Tourism NI added;

“We are delighted to support the exciting new developments at Glenpark Estate which will see a range of new food and outdoor experiences come to life across the estate. The evolution of new tourism experiences like this shows that innovation continues to be at the forefront of the development of the industry here. I have no doubt that this exciting addition to Glenpark Estate will be central to the visitor experience in County Tyrone, creating new and compelling reasons to visit the area.”

Since opening its doors, the estate has already welcomed over 250,000 visitors, and plans are in development for creating more events and activities on the site. Glenpark currently employs 75 staff across all areas of the Estate.