Gosford Park, near Markethill

SnowyOwl_2

Hello all


Does anyone frequent Gosford Park on the Newry/Armagh Road? I called there today and there was a bit notice advising that it's £4.00 per car entry, or £1.50 per pedestrian. What a rip off! OK so there was noone actually collecting money today so I didn't pay - does anybody know when the park is likely to be manned and when they will start actively [strike]robbing the public[/strike] charging the public their entrance fees?

BigAl94

Gosford is owned by the N I Forest Service http://www.forestserviceni.gov.uk/index/forests-in-northern-ireland/forests-in-the-east-district/gosford-forest-park.htm It is not a charity and rightly charges a modest fee for your enjoyment of their facilities. You can buy an annual permit for £35 allowing unlimited entrance to all 124 forests.

thriftyminx13

Anytime i go is off season and i haven't had to pay. you can always park outside and walk in, but you pay at a lot of forest parks these days.

kidshorsesdogs

SnowyOwl wrote: »

Hello all


Does anyone frequent Gosford Park on the Newry/Armagh Road? I called there today and there was a bit notice advising that it's £4.00 per car entry, or £1.50 per pedestrian. What a rip off! OK so there was noone actually collecting money today so I didn't pay - does anybody know when the park is likely to be manned and when they will start actively [strike]robbing the public[/strike] charging the public their entrance fees?

£4 very reasonable, considering you have a beautiful forest walk, a farm and walled garden!!! Oh and toilets.. So good value I think!!

nadnad

i dont think thats too bad a price all those type of places charge per car however i've yet to be charged as i tend to go out of season or late in the day when no one is about to take the money.

dobefan

BigAl94 wrote: »

Gosford is owned by the N I Forest Service http://www.forestserviceni.gov.uk/index/forests-in-northern-ireland/forests-in-the-east-district/gosford-forest-park.htm It is not a charity and rightly charges a modest fee for your enjoyment of their facilities. You can buy an annual permit for £35 allowing unlimited entrance to all 124 forests.

I'm just guessing you are English ? :rolleyes:

dmxdave

dobefan wrote: »

I'm just guessing your English :rolleyes:

Why?

boysma

I don't think it's a rip off. £4 for a family day out especially if you bring a picnic is pretty reasonable. Remember the fee that you pay helps to maintain it. Hth.

SnowyOwl_2

I still think that is too expensive for Gosford. I live fairly locally to it but I am not at all encouraged to visit it, except now as nadnad suggests out of season or late in the day and thus avoid the charge altogether.

Maybe if they applied the charge consistently they wouldn't need to charge so much.

As for alternative places to go, I'll just drive to Kilbroney which is far superior and free to walk, park and pee in.

kidshorsesdogs

SnowyOwl wrote: »

As for alternative places to go, I'll just drive to Kilbroney which is far superior and free to walk, park and pee in.

Ah but it is not free, it is coucil run so will have been paid for through your rates! If you live in Newry & Mourne. Very little in life is free!

SnowyOwl_2

kidshorsesdogs wrote: »

Ah but it is not free, it is coucil run so will have been paid for through your rates! If you live in Newry & Mourne. Very little in life is free!

Yes, totally and utterly agree!!! Though perhaps you could argue that for paying rates you get a bit of value for money with the leisure facilities on offer by Newry & Mourne. The Forestry Commission is a branch of the Civil Service which is paid for via tax.