Londonderry: City Walls, Museums and Nature

Derry is the only completely walled city in Ireland; the Derry Walls were built between 1613 and 1618. Today, you can explore the site on foot along a circular route about one mile long. Before your visit, check whether temporary maintenance work is restricting access. A guided Walled City Tour takes you through Derry and covers murals, monuments and buildings as well as the city walls. Dates and opening times may vary by season.

The City’s History in Walls and Museums

The buildings within the famous city walls also tell the story of Derry’s past. Saint Columb’s Cathedral has stood in its distinctive location within the walls since 1633. The city’s history also includes a collection of cannons whose origins are well documented; many of the guns were used during the two sieges in the 17th century.

The neo-Gothic Guildhall was originally built in 1887. An exhibition there explains how the Plantation shaped the city’s history. The Blue Coat School Heritage Centre focuses on the First Derry Presbyterian Church and its history. The church has been at the heart of its community since the 17th century.

In the Bogside, the Museum of Free Derry presents a multimedia exhibition on the civil rights movement and the city’s early conflict history, including Bloody Sunday. Its associated archive contains more than 25,000 individual items from this period in the city’s history. The Tower Museum features the exhibitions “The Story of Derry” and “Derry Girls Experience.” As the exhibition programme may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Scenery and Activities in County Londonderry

Roe Valley Country Park in County Londonderry offers riverside views and woodland trails. Activities available there include salmon and trout fishing, canoeing, climbing and orienteering; availability may vary by season. A circular trail of about 3.6 kilometres starts and ends at the car park on Dogleap Road. Check the route details on site before setting off.

Creggan Country Park in County Londonderry also combines scenery and activities. The site covers 100 acres and includes three freshwater lakes, woodland, hedgerows and an activity centre. Offerings include water sports and outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking and raft building, as well as rainbow trout fishing. Advance booking may be required for some activities.

For a cultural stop at Roe Valley Country Park, the Green Lane Museum displays artefacts from the 19th and 20th centuries. They offer insights into the history of the Roe Valley, including rural life, local trades and the linen industry. County Londonderry therefore offers a range of experiences, from Derry’s history to scenery and trails or outdoor activities.

Brewery and Getting There

Walled City Brewery offers a hands-on micro-brewing experience followed by a tasting of ten different beers. When it opened in 2015, it was the first new craft brewery in Derry-Londonderry in a century. The same building houses a brewery and an adjoining restaurant; check the business’s status before making plans. Check booking and tasting options, as well as the business’s status, before making plans.

Derry-Londonderry can be reached by train from Belfast and by bus from Dublin and Belfast. Check timetables and operators before setting off so your journey fits your planned visits.

Discover more destinations: Dungannon And South Tyrone, Moyle, Ards, Limavady, Antrim, Dungannon, Ballymena, Derry.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Ireland.