The Imaginary Menagerie

Play, marvel or relax among wildlife

Follow the kingfisher and robin trails around the gardens at your own pace. Discover magical places to play, marvel or relax with your family.

You'll find sculptures integrated into the landscape, hands-on play, as well as opportunities to watch nature in action like our bee hives and lakeside bird hide.

Which animals will you find along the way?

Kingfisher trail

The trail takes you around the Lake and takes about 30 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Look out for the kingfishers. Follow them around the trail to see what you can find.

Feel the earth between your toes in Barefoot Walk, create marvellous music with the wooden chimes in the Sound Forest, spot our birds including majestic swans or perhaps one of our resident kingfishers and find your favourite Hillsborough Hound!

Robin trail

The trail takes about 40 minutes to walk plus extra time to play.

Look out for the robins. Follow them around the trail to see what you can find.

Hide out in the family nest, talk to the animals and birds or your friends with our amazing talk tubes, explore the crannog over the stream and lookout for the exotic birdcage sculpture. You can also build your own folly.

There is so much to explore!