J3469 : An oak tree with four trunks, Belvoir forest, Belfast (August 2014)
taken 10 years ago, 4 km S of Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland
Belvoir forest is some 185 acres of woodland, in south/south east Belfast, between the Lagan and Newtownbreda. It opened in 1961. “In the early 18th century the Hill family settled at Belvoir, enclosed the estate and built a large house that stood on the site of the present car park. Arthur Hill-Trevor was created the first Viscount Dungannon in 1765. The family sold the estate in the early 19th century to the Batesons, whose son became Lord Deramore in 1885. The Deramores returned to England at the end of the 19th century, leasing the estate to Walter H Wilson, a partner with Harland and Wolff. The last private tenant at Belvoir was Sir James Johnston, who was the Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1917/18” – Belfast City Council walking guide.