Belvoir ASSI

Belvoir ASSI is of special scientific interest for its parkland and wood pasture habitat and associated species. It is situated within the outskirts of South Belfast predominantly along the eastern bank of the River Lagan with Moreland’s Meadow lying to the west of the river within a large meander loop.

With the exception of Moreland’s Meadow, the ASSI lies within the former Belvoir Estate which was founded in the 18th century, the lands bounded by the river to the west and a wall 5km in length surrounding the rest of the grounds. These walled grounds were known as the Belvoir Demesne and remained wooded during the 18th and 19th centuries when most of the trees throughout Ireland were felled.

Belvoir ASSI largely lies within the area of the original Belvoir Estate and is now owned and managed by Forest Service as a commercial forest and recreational park, and by Belvoir Park Golf Club as a golf course. Belfast City Council own and manage Moreland’s Meadow as part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park.