Armagh City and District Council are proud to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of Clare Glen Caravan Park. Funding secured from The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme has greatly enhanced all the facilities within the Glen and Caravan Park, which in turn has seen a considerable increase in the amount of visitors using their caravans, mobile homes and tents on the site. Between April 2011 and March 2012 over 60,000 people visited Clare Glen for various activities including running, walking and cycling. The Caravan Park experienced its largest attendance figures to date with 715 caravans/mobile homes and 88 tents using the site over the past twelve months. Part of Clare Glen’s success should be attributed to its new website www.clareglen.co.uk; which is very informative, easy to navigate and is updated regularly with pictures and information.
The Council are continuing to improve and maintain the natural and built environment at Clare Glen which is set in a delightful 55 acre retreat with winding walks along the river Cusher. Armagh City and District Council have began an extensive management programme this year to reduce non native aggressive plants from taking over the area, leaving room for the rich herbaceous layer and diversity of mosses to flourish again. The newly opened section which had been previously overgrown provides stunning views of the bluebell wooded area – now an endangered species and provides vistas through and across the river to the entrance.
Jonathon Ellis, Parks Manager said, “We intend to open the Glen up more, allowing sight of the stone bridges and the winding river which has created this unique setting. Sections were landscaped in the past when it belonged to a private Demesne; our future works programme will address these issues as we enhance the picturesque qualities of the site”.
Wetland habitat areas have been created within the Alder Wet Woodland area to allow meadowsweet, creeping buttercup and canary grasses etc, each year Armagh City and District Council intend to open and rejuvenate more areas within the site providing more seating and unique pathways to explore.
The Glen just outside Tandragee provides a great experience of our natural landscape with a caravan park, toilets, waterfalls and dramatic views associated with steep glens… a highly refreshing outdoor experience and its free!
