LCCC Residents' Magazine : Autumn/Winter 2025
Ballyburren’s journey to success
Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes, a leading eco-tourism destination nestled in the heart of rural Lisburn and Castlereagh, is celebrating a year of growth and innovation following its participation in the Go Succeed business support programme.
Ballyburren started rewilding in 2019 when Damien Butler turned 18 acres of wild land into a welcoming outdoor retreat, which opened in June 2023. Here, you can stay in cosy luxury glamping pods, walk with alpacas, join forest school adventures and reconnect with nature. Caring for the planet is at the heart of everything they do. They’ve planted over 6,500 new trees, restored ponds for wildlife and added smart solar panels that make 40% more energy than standard panels.
Go Succeed provided Ballyburren one-to-one mentoring, help with planning and digital know-how. This support allowed the business to grow its activities, make the site easier for everyone to enjoy and spread the word about what they do. Thanks to these changes, Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes was named Best Tourism Business 2025 at the council’s Business Awards and secured the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2025.
Talking about the impact of Go Succeed, Damien said: “When we started Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes, it was just a vision - a wild patch of land and a dream to reconnect people with nature. Through both Go Succeed support and council encouragement, we’ve turned our vision into a thriving destination.
“For us it’s not just about tourism it’s about creating experiences that nurture people and the land. We’re proud to be growing here and contributing to the council’s reputation as a leader in eco-conscious tourism.”
To find out more about Go Succeed visit www.go-succeed.com/