Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is in south Belfast. It is home to the City of Belfast International Rose Garden, which attracts thousands of visitors to our Summer Rose Fair in July each year. This event was known as Rose Week. The park also has a children's playground, a bottle bank, barbecue area, picnic tables and car park.

Summer Rose Fair

The Summer Rose Fair is not taking place in 2022. Coming out of the pandemic, we are reviewing events at our parks.  We'll publish upcoming events on our events page.

History of the park

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park was donated to the people of Belfast by Lady Dixon in 1959, in memory of her late husband, Sir Thomas.

Originally formed in the mid-18th century, as part of the Wilmont estate, the park was first owned by the Stewarts; a farming family from Scotland. The estate was used for growing crops and bleaching linen and the main family house stood on the site of what is now the park's lower car park.

In the mid-1800s, the Bristow family bought the estate. A family home, Wilmont House, was designed by Thomas Jackson for the Bristows and was completed in 1859.

The estate, which also included a walled garden, informal planting areas and gate lodges, attracted a number of different owners before it was taken over by the Dixons in 1919.

During World War II, American troops were stationed in the grounds of the estate while their officers lived in Wilmont House. Lady Dixon was well-known for her work with the troops and was created Dame of the British Empire as a result. Before she died in 1959, she donated the estate to the city of Belfast in memory of her late husband, a former High Sheriff of Belfast.

The site was re-opened as Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in 1959.

Other attractions in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon park

Covering more than 128 acres, the park has rolling meadows, copses, woodland and gardens. There are various plants and wildlife. An ideal base for exploring nearby Lagan Valley Regional Park, it contains international camellia trials, a walled garden, a Japanese-style garden with water features for quiet contemplation.

Getting to the park

Enter the park at Upper Malone Road. For The Stables coffee shop, use the lower entrance (towards Drumbeg). Take Ulsterbus number 21 to Drumbeg from the Europa Bus Station in Belfast city centre (Mondays to Fridays only) or use Metro number 8 A-C.

Green Flag awards

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park has been awarded a Green Flag every year from 2012 to 2021. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK.

Walking trails

Take a walk through our three trails which come alive in the spring time.

Disability access at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

Read AccessAble guide (link opens in new window)

The Stables Coffee shop

The Stables Coffee Shop is open for outdoor hospitality. A maximum of six people from two households are allowed to use the outdoor seating and tables. To comply with Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme, all contact details are recorded.

The coffee shop has tea, coffee and freshly-baked or cooked hot and cold foods. It is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday.

Park events

To find out what events and activities are on in our parks, go to Park events.

Park opening times

Map of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park