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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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Whitehead Golf Club

Whitehead

Address

Mccraes Brae, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9NZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9337 0820

angela@whiteheadgolfclub.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

The club boasts a challenging but fair 18 hole course coupled with excellent clubhouse facilities. The club professional Colin Farr offers an excellent fully stocked shop and a full range of repair and teaching services.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
McConnell's Distillery & Visitor Experience

Belfast

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9590 2929

tickets@belfastdistillery.com

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket to £45.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Distillery

McConnell’s Distillery, located in North Belfast in the historic A-wing of Crumlin Road Gaol, opens this Spring. This state of the art distillery will host guided tours sharing the unique story of the McConnell’s brand and the history of distilling…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket to £45.00 Activity

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Bonamargy Friary

Ballycastle

Address

43 Cushendall Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6QR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Remains of Franciscan friary founded around 1500 by Rory MacQuillan. East range of cloister, gatehouse and church virtually complete except for roof. Open all year.

Price
Free

More Info
Line of Duty Walking Tour

Belfast

Address

Irish Tour Tickets, 10 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7BA

Telephone
+44 (0)844 2471 007

info@britmovietours.com

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

A 2 hour fully guided Line of Duty themed tour in central Belfast full of loads of on & off-screen anecdotes. A must for any fan of the show.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
28 reviews
Active Adventures NI

Address

Various Locations, County Antrim, BT54 6NA

info@activeadventuresni.com

Type

Type:

Water Sports

Active Adventures NI offer multiple activity options including Kayak sessions/lessons/courses/tours, SUP sessions/lessons/courses/tours, Surfing experiences/camps/lessons and of course our renowned Coasteering Experiences. We can create a bespoke…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
11 reviews
Bentra Golf Course

Whitehead

Address

Slaughterford Road, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9TG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9337 8996

bentra@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

A well-matured 9 hole course, Bentra is designed with the experienced golfer and novice in mind. Wide fairways with some particularly long holes ensure a steady round at most times. Perfect for an attractive and inexpensive day's golf.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
121 reviews
The Creamery Can Économusée

Glarryford

Address

Dundermot House, 30 Station Road, Glarryford, County Antrim, BT44 9RA

Telephone
+44 (0)7720 464669

creamerycantours@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Economusee

Discover the story behind the Creamery Can ice-cream located in Glarryford, en-route from Ballymena to the Causeway.

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Divis and the Black Mountain

Belfast

Address

12 Hannahstown Road, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT17 0NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 5434

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Medium (5-20 miles)

With spectacular panoramic views over Belfast, Divis and the Black Mountain is a haven for those seeking the wild countryside experience. On a clear day there are views of Strangford Lough, the Mournes and the Sperrins, as well as Scotland...

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A Giant Causeway Glass-Making Experience

Bushmills

Address

60 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 7752 315 476

irishglassartist@outlook.com

Price
Price £75.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

Join Eleanor-Jane for a hands on glass making experience inspired by the Causeway stones. Using recycled stained glass from a local church, Eleanor- Jane gently guides you through the process allowing your creativity to shine through with each…

Dates

Price
Price £75.00 Activity

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Lissanduff

Portballintrae

Address

Car Park at Beach Road, Portballintrae, County Antrim, BT57 8RT

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This is a State Care Monument consisting of a pair of earthen concentric rings with an inner and outer enclosure. The site is often referred to as "The Cups and Saucers" due to its shape.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
46 reviews
Chaine Memorial Tower

Larne

Address

28 Chaine Memorial Road, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9336 6666

marina.reception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Tower

This special memorial tower stands tall on the western side of Larne Lough, at the entrance to Larne harbour greeting visitors arriving by sea. It's an accurate replica of an Irish Round Tower and is known affectionately by locals as 'The Pencil.'

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Riverbush Salmon Station

Bushmills

Address

21 Church Street, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 30 0200 7860

Bush@deara-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

When conditions are right, high quality salmon angling is available on three stretches of the river - the New, Town, and Leap sections.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ballycastle Traditional Music Trail

Ballycastle

Address

Anglers Arms, 12 North Street, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6BN

Telephone
028 2076 2024

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Put yourself in the capable hands of two very skilled local trad musicians on a musical journey from the seafront up into the heart of Ballycastle. Visit the pubs where music has been kept alive through generations and at each stop experience live…

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
10 reviews
Templecorran Church and Graveyard

Ballycarry

Address

Main Street, Ballycarry, County Antrim, BT38 9BF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8220

parks@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Churches & Sacred Sites

Discover magnificent views and Ulster Scots heritage in Templecorran graveyard, Ballycarry.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
153 reviews
Gleno Waterfall Walk

Gleno

Address

Waterfall Road, Gleno, County Antrim, BT40 3LE

Telephone
+44(0)28 9064 7787

belfast@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk has many steps. The steps meander up and down the sides of this moist valley to enable the walker to get good views of the waterfall. Dogs should be kept under the control of the owner.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
4 reviews
The Great Light & Titanic Walkway

Belfast

Address

Queens Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9FH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9073 0490

info@greatlighttq.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Maritime Heritage

The Great Light is one of the largest optics of its kind ever built in the world, and is around 130 years old. It is located on the Titanic Walkway, a new 500 metre maritime walkway on Victoria Wharf, connecting the Titanic Slipways to HMS Caroline.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Harland & Wolff Cranes - Samson and Goliath

Belfast

Address

Queen's Island, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9DU

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Industrial Heritage

Although not officially classed as wonders of the world, the two massive cranes in Harland and Wolff Belfast, which serve one of the world’s largest Building Docks, are certainly masterpieces of engineering.

Price
Free

More Info
Cab Tours Belfast

Belfast

Address

Donegall Square East, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5HB

Telephone
+44 (0)7713 640 647

info@cabtoursbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Taxi Tours

Choose from a range of our award-winning tours. Our black taxi cabs provide comfort while showing you the sights and our local guides will answer any questions you might have. We can pick you up from any location in Belfast, seven days a week, for…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
NITOUR

Crumlin

Address

Crumlin, Co Antrim, BT29 4ZR

Telephone
+44 (0) 7493 377010

nitourenquiries@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

NITOUR is a new elite chauffeur business catering for up to 7 discerning guests on a private basis.We transport your party safely and in luxury between your chosen locations in Northern Ireland. Tour itinerary tailored to your bespoke requirements.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3 reviews
Straidkilly Walk

Carnlough

Address

Straidkilly Road, Carnlough, County Antrim, BT44 0LQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9045 4094

info@ulsterwildlife.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Mainly a hazel woodland walk, with areas of grassy clearings full of meadow flowers, best seen in spring when woodland flower species are in bloom.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)