Official tourism website for Northern Ireland

Glenarm Castle and Gardens

You are here: Home > Destinations > County Antrim > Activities & Attractions in County Antrim

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.

Plan your trip

Stay
What's On
Things to Do
Food & Drink
Shopping

Things to Do Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

What's On Search

Dates

Start Date:

End Date:

Any date in the future

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Food & Drink Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Shopping Search

Type:

Area:

Or type a Location:

Keyword:

Number of results: 407

, currently showing 161 to 180.

Sort By A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
123 reviews
Prison Island

Belfast

Address

Unit 3, 17 Balmoral Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6QA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9038 0862

admin@prisonislandbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

4 Activities in 1 Venue. Open late 7 days a week, located 10 minutes from the city centre. Prison Island Belfast is a must for the bucket list.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp to main entrance
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
City Tours Belfast

Belfast

Address

Donegall Square West, Opposite Visit Belfast, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 6JH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 1912

info@citytoursbelfast.com

Price
Price £11.00 to £73.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Enjoy an open top bus tour across the beautiul city of Belfast, see the historic landmarks and listen to an entertaining and informative live commentary on the city's history, its present and its future. 72 hour Ticket.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00

Price
Price £11.00 to £73.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
63 reviews
Patterson's Spade Mill

Templepatrick

Address

751 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim, BT39 0AP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9443 3619

pattersons@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Listen to the hammers, smell the grit, feel the heat and witness the thrill of the only surviving water-driven spade mill in Ireland.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Gracehill Golf Club

Ballymoney

Address

141 Ballinlea Road, Stranocum, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 8PX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2075 1209

william@gracehillgolfclub.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Gracehill Golf Course is a pristine 18 hole golf course within the Dark Hedges Estate. Surrounded by ancient woodland and dotted with a variety of lakes and ponds, this American-style course was designed by Frank Ainsworth.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
City Sightseeing Belfast

Belfast

Address

c/o CitySightseeing Belfast, 10 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7BA

Telephone
+44 (0) 2890 321 321

george@citysightseeingbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

The Belfast City Sightseeing Hop-on / Hop-off Open-top bus tour provides you with a comprehensive look at Belfast city and allows you to explore every area and district of this unique place. Our tour operates seven days per week.

More Info
Causeway Coast Kayaking

Ballycastle

Address

Ballintoy Harbour, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6NA

Telephone
+44 (0) 7895 444 237

hello@causewaycoastkayaking.com

Type

Type:

Canoeing & Kayaking

Fully guided tours and experiences of the Causeway Coast by kayak, including twilight/moonlight paddles and a Game of Thrones ® location tour. All beginner friendly.
Special Offers
- Guided Family Kayaking Experience
  From £25 per person
  Experience the beauty of the Causeway Coast from a new perspective ona guided family kayaking tour this summer.
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Giant Adventure Offers
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Phils Family Amusements & Bingo Hall

Portrush

Address

64-72 Main Street, Portrush, Portrush, Co Antrim, BT56 8BN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7082 2201

info@telcotrading.co.uk

Type

Type:

Indoor Play Area

For lovers of video games, slot machines and bingo, no trip to Portrush is complete without visiting Phil’s Amusements. Discover how the whole family can ‘save tickets for big prizes’.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
380 reviews
Glenariff Forest Park

Cargan

Address

Glenariffe Road, Cargan, County Antrim, BT44 0QX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7034 0870

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, is one of the nine Antrim Glens in Northern Ireland. Glenariff Forest Park covers over 1,000 hectares with planted woodland, lakes, outdoor recreation spaces and conservation areas.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Theatrical History Tour of Belfast

Belfast

Address

The Big Fish, Donegall Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3NG

Price
Price £20.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

‘The Theatrical History Tour of Belfast,’ is a new, innovative walking tour that sees two actors, a male and a female, lead a one-hour walking tour from The Big Fish to The Soundyard. During this one-hour tour, the actors will perform five…

Price
Price £20.00 Activity

More Info
Connswater Community Greenway Trails

Belfast

Address

Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1HE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 1900

visitorcentre@eastsidepartnership.com

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This trail provides an overview to the history and wildlife of the Connswater, Loop and Knock rivers in East Belfast.

More Info
Greenacres Golf Centre

Ballyclare

Address

155 Ballyrobert Road, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 9RT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 4111

info@greenacresgolfcentre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

A challenging 18 hole par 70 parkland course designed to fit in with the natural rolling countryside of County Antrim. Its proximity to Belfast also makes it an ideal stop for a round of golf. Also a par 3 course,driving range and 18 hole mini golf.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Fairhead An Bealach Runda Walk

Ballycastle

Address

Fairhead Car Park, Fairhead Road, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, BT54 6RD

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Enjoy breath-taking views from the cliff edge of Fairhead

More Info
Ulster Walking Tours

Antrim

Address

60 Springfarm Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4JH

Telephone
07842809873

stmccracken@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

We offer scheduled and bespoke walking tours for all, experience the North Coast or closer to home on the Mary Ann McCracken Radical Belfast walking tour or indeed one of our cemetery tours. We cater for all needs and can facilitate a tour of…

More Info
Carr Golf Travel

Castleknock

Address

Elmgreen Golf Centre, Castleknock, Dublin, BT1 1NB

Telephone
+44 (0) 0353 18226662

enquiries@carrgolf.com

Type

Type:

Golf Tour Operators

Carr Golf Travel offer tailor made golf trips to Northern Ireland and Ireland. With 25 years’ experience in the golf industry, we understand what turns a great trip into an unforgettable vacation.

More Info
AGS Golf Vacations

Belfast

Address

181 Clifton Park Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT14 6DT

Telephone
+44 (0) 13 3445 8138

reservations@agsgolf.com

Type

Type:

Golf Tour Operators

AGS Golf specialize in providing custom golf tours and getaways for discerning golfers. Pre-booked itineraries are planned to play top ranked golf courses with accommodation close to the course.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
434 reviews
World of Owls

Randalstown

Address

32 Mount Shalgus Lane, Randalstown, County Antrim, BT41 3LE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9447 2307

admin@worldofowls.co.uk

Price
Price £5.50 to £18.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Nature Sanctuary

World of Owls hopes to bring people, young and old, from all sections of the community to a beautiful location where they can be shown the need for conservation by one of nature’s most wonderful creatures.

Price
Price £5.50 to £18.00 Activity

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
WaveRides Paddleboarding

Carrickfergus

Address

3 Quayside, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 8BJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7428 771 991

robert.richardson1212@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Water Sports

Learn stand up paddle boarding in the picturesque old harbour at Carrickfergus Castle, on the main Causeway Coastal route with the castle as your impressive backdrop.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
13 reviews
Greenisland Golf Club

Carrickfergus

Address

156 Upper Road, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 8RW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9086 2236

info@greenislandgolfclub.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Greenisland is a challenging 9 hole mature parkland golf course situated under the imposing Knockagh Monument, and offers panoramic views from Carrickfergus to Belfast and across Belfast Lough to County Down.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
23 reviews
Ecos Nature Park

Ballymena

Address

Kernohans Lane, Broughshane Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 7QA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2564 4046

parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Ecos Nature Park is an oasis of wildlife, close to the heart of Ballymena town with 8 kilometres of flat footpaths leading visitors around 220 acres of parkland that includes maturing woodland, peaceful lake and ponds, grazed meadows and hay meadows.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - Ecos Nature Park has free designated accessible parking on site for cars, coaches and minibuses.
WildWalk Bushcraft

Ballyclare

Address

The Burn Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 0RE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7980 656 291

Wildwalkbushcraft@gmail.com

Price
Price £95.00 Course

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

At WildWalk we offer everyone a chance to connect to the outdoors. We offer a variety of bushcraft and wilderness, survival and living activities, such as outdoor foraging, campfire cooking, shelter building and wildlife tracking. Learn new skills…

Price
Price £95.00 Course

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking