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Glenarm Castle and Gardens

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Activities & Attractions in Antrim

Antrim’s position in the north-east corner has given it a central role in the history of Northern Ireland and its neighbours. The county is peppered with some of the finest castles and historic heritage sites on the island. As you make your way around, it’s not hard to see why it has been chosen as the location for so many TV shows and movies known for their epic grandeur and scale.

Back in time at Antrim Castle Gardens

Antrim Castle Gardens, a 400-year-old gem is located just outside Antrim town itself near the shores of Lough Neagh. It features the famous Italian Tower, the playful Her Ladyship’s Pleasure Garden and the elegant Yew Tree Pond. Within the heart of the Gardens is a unique visitor experience, the refurbished Clotworthy House where you’ll find out all about the gardens and the story of their owners - the highly influential Massereene family. Take the chance to check out the 10th century round tower in Antrim, a prominent reminder of the town’s role as an ancient monastic settlement.

Across the Lough lies Carrickfergus Castle

Castle hunters are spoilt for choice in this part of the world. At the imposing Carrickfergus Castle overlooking Belfast Lough, you’ll find an excellent example of what the Normans were able to put together when they got here 800 years ago; yet remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. A recent excavation uncovered an escape tunnel under the castle. You would do well to locate it just in case you run into ‘Button Cap’, the resident ghost.

Walk the glorious, gut-wrenching Gobbins Cliff Path

Roused by all those tales of valour and knights in shining armour, you’ll no doubt be tempted to test your own mettle. You will need it if you decide to take the walk along the world famous Gobbins Cliff Path. This spectacular cliff walk was originally built in 1902 by a railway engineer with an apparent dash of the daredevil in him. A dramatic and challenging experience with steep narrow steps and striking suspension bridges. The payback is huge though as the views along the rugged coast are spectacular.

Gorgeous grounds of Glenarm Castle

Further up the coast from the aforementioned Carrickfergus, sits a very different but no less impressive fortification, Glenarm Castle. This has been part of the McDonnell family since 1686. They still own and live on the grounds but thankfully they like to have visitors to enjoy its world-famous walled garden. This little piece of heaven was in fact used in the movie Five Minutes from Heaven starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt.

Count the Glens of Antrim

There are nine Glens of Antrim and each of them has their own unique character, offering spectacular views and hidden gems of history in equal measure. For walkers, The Glens can be tackled through two waymarked footpaths. The Ulster Way will take you through dramatic seaside scenery and coastal villages, while the 32km Moyle Way runs inland across the plateau from Glenariff Forest Park to Ballycastle.

Stop in the picturesque towns and villages dotted along the Glen's path for a real taste of local life, including Glenarm, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun - each of which has a distinct story to tell. In Cushendun, you’ll find the famous Caves, one of the many spectacular spots that were used in the filming of Game of Thrones®. And look out for the beloved sculpture of ‘Johann’ the goat – a famous local resident!

Make your way through The Dark Hedges

Of course, every fan of Game of Thrones® will want to make their way to the famous Dark Hedges outside Ballymoney. When the renowned Stuart family planted this beautiful avenue of beech trees in the eighteenth century they did so to impress those approaching their marvellous mansion at Gracehill House. They could hardly have guessed how famous these ‘dark hedges’ would become. And today they are unarguably the most photographed beech trees in the world. It's atmospheric and impressive, regardless of the weather, so if you've time definitely mark this on your map.

Step into the Island life on Rathlin

Hop on the ferry to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited off-shore island. There's lots of scenic walking trails to enjoy, and take the opportunity to learn about island life at the Boathouse Visitor Centre. Home to the largest breeding seabird colonies in Europe and RSPB Seabird Centre, birdwatchers and nature lovers will delight in a trip. Or for something different, head for Rathlin West Light which is known locally as the ‘upside down’ lighthouse.

Swing over to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

If that isn’t enough excitement for one holiday then the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is exactly what you’re after. Connecting a tiny island with the mainland, this once-temporary structure was built specially by salmon fishermen, and although the rickety rope bridge has been replaced with a much sturdier version, even in the lightest of breezes you might feel it...sway a little.

The site car park will be open at weekends for visitors to walk this section of the Causeway Coastal Route, with a £5 charge for car parking, free for National Trust members and local pass holders.

Stop and sip at Bushmills Distillery

For whiskey lovers, a visit to Ireland’s oldest working distillery at Bushmills is a must. After taking the excellent behind-the-scenes tour of the Old Bushmills Distillery you will get to sample a wee dram for yourself. Just be sure you’ve crossed all those tricky bridges beforehand.

A cliff edge castle at Dunluce

Heading west out of Bushmills, the coastal route reveals one of the jewels in Northern Ireland's crown, Dunluce Castle. Perched dramatically on the cliffs of the coast, this breathtaking castle ruin has inspired artists and writers through the centuries. Built around 1500 by the local MacQuillan family, it was later seized by the Scottish MacDonnell clan and boasts a tumultuous history. Take some time to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this castle via the audio-visual tour.

Find your port of call in Portrush

Just a 10-minute drive west of Dunluce Castle you’ll find the fun loving seaside town of Portrush. Set on a mile-long peninsula with glorious blue flag beaches either side and an impressive rocky edge, the town is full of charm and plenty to keep you entertained. This picturesque seaside town has grown from a small fishing village into a very popular holiday destination for Northern Ireland locals and those from all over the world. The town is filled with friendly people and tonnes of activities for people of all ages including a world-renowned golf course and the largest amusement park in Ireland.

Last, but not least, the Giant’s Causeway

According to legend, Finn McCool, a giant of Irish mythology, built a bridge to challenge his arch enemy in Scotland. Though we’re famous for our engineering prowess, that one is a bit of a stretch. In fact, the Giant's Causeway was engineered by mother nature and came about as a result of a volcanic eruption that left behind this strange but magical patchwork of basalt. The geographical wonder is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legend and the truth of their formation are all explained in fine detail at the state-of-the-art visitor centre, from where you can stroll down to the stones (or take the shuttle bus) and hopscotch across the smooth stone platforms.

If that little lot hasn’t left you yearning for an epic adventure on this county steeped in epic legends, awesome natural architecture and jaw-dropping views, then there’s a whole lot more epic-ness just waiting to be discovered.

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Number of results: 416

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
485 reviews
Irish FA Tours

Belfast

Address

Donegall Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6LW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9066 9458

tours@irishfa.com

Price
Price £6.50 to £10.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Irish FA Tours offer a special treat for all football fans with a behind-the-scenes visit to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
Relive great football memories at Windsor Park and remember the drama, both on and off the pitch, before…

Price
Price £6.50 to £10.00 Activity

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Sheans Horse Farm

Ballymoney

Address

38 Coolkeeran Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 8XL

Telephone
+44 (0) 7759 320 434

danny@sheanshorsefarm.com

Type

Type:

Land Adventure

Whether you’re a total beginner or a confident rider, experience the freedom, fun and buzz of horse riding at Sheans Horse Riding and Heritage Centre. Located close to the village of Armoy, adjacent to the Glens of Antrim on the Antrim Coast.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
118 reviews
Giant Tours Ireland

Ballycastle

Address

North Street, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6BW

Telephone
+44 (0) 7555 665 900

flip@gianttoursireland.com

Type

Type:

GoT Guided Tours

Visit off-the-beaten-track filming locations from Game of Thrones® in the company of a real expert.

More Info
Walking the Edge

Islandmagee

Address

The Gobbins Visitor Centre, 68 Middle Road, Islandmagee, County Antrim, BT40 3SL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9337 2318

info@thegobbinscliffpath.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Step out and find yourself between earth, sea and sky on the thrilling Gobbins Experience, where nature isn’t content to sit back and be admired. It completely engulfs you: from the all-enveloping Irish Sea winds and the dolphins dancing off the…

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Belfast Food Tour

Belfast

Address

Taste and Tour NI, Portview Trade Centre, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1HE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 7723

hello@tasteandtour.co.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Discover the real Belfast – one bite at a time. This tour takes you down quiet streets and into hidden corners - “off the eaten track” - to meet inventive locals making world-beating products.

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Poetry and Prayers - A Monastic Trail

Randalstown

Address

17 Main Street, Randalstown, County Antrim, BT41 3AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 7784 352 832

christinedoherty945@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

From saints and sacred rivers to monks and high stone crosses, you’ll learn the full story of the land and its people on this spiritual journey. Poetry, prayer and contemplation will feature heavily as you make your way around the lough.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
272 reviews
Seedhead Arts Street Art Walking Tour

Belfast

Address

Commercial Court, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2NB

Telephone
+44 (0) 7843 590 097

info@seedheadarts.com

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Explore a changing city through its ever-evolving street art. On this gently paced, two-hour guided street art walking tour, you’ll see the incredible street art currently adding to the atmosphere of Belfast city centre. The tour will help you…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3197 reviews
DC Tours - Belfast Walking Tours

Belfast

Address

Belfast City Hall, (Front Gate), Donegall Square North, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5GS

Telephone
+44 (0) 7716 949 460

cu@deadcentretours.com

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Sightseeing

DC Tours run scheduled, private and group walking tours. Their flagship tour ‘A History of Terror’ is an award-winning and politically neutral city centre walking tour explaining the history of the Troubles and the path to peace and reconciliation.…
Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
131 reviews
Waterman House Cookery School

Belfast

Address

Waterman House, 33 Hill Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9560 0701

nicole@waterman.house
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Cookery School

Waterman House Cookery school is one of Irelands leading cooking schools, offering a range of day and evening classes for all ages and abilities. We aim to enable you to prepare delicious dishes to be enjoyed with family and friends at home.
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Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
9356 reviews
Crumlin Road Gaol

Belfast

Address

53 - 55 Crumlin Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 6ST

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9074 1500

info@crumlinroadgaol.com
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

On the 31st March 1996 Crumlin Road Gaol slammed shut its doors for what many thought would be the final time, but, on the 19th November 2012 the chains fell off and HMP Belfast was reborn as one of Belfast's most popular visitor attractions.
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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
McComb’s Game of Thrones Tour

Belfast

Address

22 Donegall Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 5JN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 5333

info@mccombscoaches.com
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

GoT Guided Tours

For those of you who have been blown away by some of the stunning scenery featured as the backdrop in HBO's Game of Thrones, then these are the tours for you!
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Thermal Spa Village at Galgorm

Galgorm, Ballymena

Address

Galgorm Resort, 136 Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 1EA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2588 2550

reservations@galgorm.com
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Spa and Well-being

The Spa at Galgorm is a true haven of peace and tranquillity where every conceivable aspect of our guest’s journey has been taken into consideration when designing our spaces, treatments and packages.
Special Offers
- Sound & Soul Therapy
  From £79 per person
  Revitalise your body, soul and spirit with the Sound & Soul Therapy Day Spa Experience. Enjoy leisurely access to the Thermal Spa Village, where a range of indoor and outdoor facilities offers a truly authentic Irish spa experience surrounded by nature’s tranquillity. Feel deeply restored with the 30-minute Gharieni Satori Sound & Soul Therapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses sound frequencies, curated music and guided meditation to bring calm and balance. Complete your day with a delicious lunch in Elements, the perfect way to unwind. Available Monday – Sunday from 9am
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Experiences & Attractions
- Quiet Time
  From £89 per person
  Bring the serenity of nature to your mind and body in one of our award-winning Riverside tubs. Feel restored from the stresses of modern day living, cleansed of pollution and relieved from restlessness & agitation. Enjoy a signature cocktail in the comfort of your tub before making your way to Elements for lunch. Experience the Thermal Spa Village at your leisure. Experience includes: 60 Minute Riverside Bathing Experience, Lunch served in Elements, Signature Cocktail, Relaxation in the Thermal Spa Village. Available daily from 8am – 4pm OR 2pm – 10pm
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Experiences & Attractions
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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
72 reviews
Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Museum

Carrickfergus

Address

2 Boneybefore, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7EQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8222

visitorinfo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings

Located less than a mile from Carrickfergus town centre, the Andrew Jackson Cottage is a traditional thatched Ulster –Scots farmhouse built in 1750s.
Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
287 reviews
Linen Hall Library

Belfast

Address

17 Donegall Square North, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5GB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 1707

info@linenhall.com

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Founded in 1788, Linen Hall Library is a truly unique institution. As the oldest library in Belfast and the last subscribing library in Ireland, it has an impressive Irish and Local Studies Collection and houses a significant genealogy section.
Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Coca-Cola Visitor Experience

Lisburn

Address

Coca-Cola HBC, 12 Lissue Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 2SZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9264 2267

Visitors.experience@cchellenic.com

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Family Fun

From school groups, to community associations and corporate guests, the Coca-Cola Visitors Experience welcomes anyone who wants to come and explore, learn and have fun discovering the past, present and future of the world’s number one soft drink.
Price
Free

More Info
McComb's Giant's Causeway Tour

Belfast

Address

22-32 Donegal Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 5JN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 5333

info@mccombscoaches.com
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Sightseeing

McComb's Travel offers day tours with local experienced guides to the Giant's Causeway. We include stops like Carrick-a-rede Ropebridge, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle & Carrickfergus Castle - all on-board our brand new luxury coaches.
More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
32 reviews
Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Larne

Address

2 Victoria Road, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1RN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2826 2443

marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Housed in the historic former Carnegie Free Library building, Larne Museum and Arts Centre boasts permanent and temporary exhibitions reflecting the agricultural, industrial, military and maritime history of the area.
Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Off site parking - Car parking is not available on site. Pay and display car parking is available opposite the building in Fairhill Car Park on Victoria Road. Other nearby pay and display car parks are situated on Agnew Street, Narrow Gauge Road and Riverdale. Nearby free car parks are situated in Exchange Road, Bridge Street, High Street, Inver Road, Narrow Gauge Road and Riverdale.
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Belfast Cathedral - The Cathedral Church of St. Anne

Belfast

Address

Donegall Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2HB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 8332

admin@belfastcathedral.org
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Cathedral

Belfast Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of Belfast.
More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
98 reviews
Carrickfergus Museum

Carrickfergus

Address

Museum & Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7DG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8241

carrickfergusmuseums@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Local museum interpreting the long and distinguished history of the town and surrounding area, with artefacts of treasure excavated in Carrickfergus. There are multi-media and audio-visual presentations.
Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
563 reviews
Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House

Antrim

Address

Randalstown Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4LH

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9448 1338

clotworthy.reception@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Garden

Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House are hidden gems waiting to be explored. Filled with botanical beauty and heritage, you will find nothing like these 400 year old gardens anywhere else in Northern Ireland.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Free parking is available at 3 different car parks at the main site off the Randalstown Road with dedicated disabled parking bays and EV charging.