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: 406

, currently showing 141 to 160.

Sort By A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
131 reviews
Blackhead Coastal Path Walk

Whitehead

Address

Blackhead Car Park, Old Castle Road, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9335 8222

visitorinfo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

A short and delightful circular walk from the picturesque seaside town of Whitehead, around the coastal path to Blackhead with its iconic lighthouse, the most easterly point of County Antrim, then back to Whitehead for refreshments and shopping.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Ballykenver Farm Shop and Kitchen

Armoy

Address

77 Ballykenver Road, Armoy, County Antrim, BT53 8RP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7880 593 492

amandahanna@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Cookery School

Join Amanda at her farmhouse kitchen table for a feel-good food experience. Indulge in a delicious selection of homemade treats including some local specialities as Amanda demonstrates how to make one of her delicious preserves.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Massereene Golf Club

Antrim

Address

51 Lough Road, Antrim, County Antrim, BT41 4DQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9442 8096

info@massereenegc.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Established in 1895 Massereene Golf Club is one of the finest parkland courses in Northern Ireland. At 6603 yards off the championship tees, even the scratch golfer will be tested. The course is very popular with societies and lady golfers alike.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
R-Space Gallery

Lisburn

Address

32 Castle Street, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 4XE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9266 3179

rspace@linenroomslisburn.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art Gallery

R-Space Gallery is a visual arts and crafts space, presenting and commissioning a programme of exhibitions and arts activity based in The Linen Rooms in the heart of the City of Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Slievenacloy - Stoneyford River

Belfast

Address

Belfast, County Antrim, BT28 3TE

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Hill walk in wildflower meadow

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
North Antrim Cliff Path - Dunseverick to Giant’s Causeway

Dunseverick

Address

Dunseverick Castle Car Park, 170 Causeway Road, Dunseverick, County Antrim, BT57 8SY

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Dramatic cliff headlands & views, secluded bays, castle ruins

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
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
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
719 reviews
Belfastology Walking Tours

Belfast

Address

Visit Belfast, 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5GB

Telephone
+44 (0) 7552 309 575

belfastology@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Enjoy an up-to-date walking tour on the music, street art and pub scenes of Belfast, while taking in the warm hospitality of the local people and discovering off-the-beaten track pubs, restaurants and experiences along the way.

More Info
Lough Neagh Fisheries Visitors Centre

Toomebridge

Address

4 Bannside, Toomebridge, County Antrim, BT41 3SB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7965 0618

info@loughneagheels.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Providing tourists with in-depth and informative insight into the fishing industry on the Lough and the various fish species found there, including the epic 6,000 km migration of eels to and from the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bowcrafty

Martinstown

Address

22 Lisnamanny Road, Martinstown, County Antrim, BT43 6QH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7595 862748

bowcrafty@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and Courses

BowCrafty near Martinstown offers fun and educational two day classes in the art of bow making - through traditional techniques you can learn the skills required to craft your very own bow.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Giant of Drums experience with Bellahill Culture & Cuisine

Ballycarry

Address

2 Bellahill Road, Ballycarry, County Antrim, BT38 9LE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9337 2303

w.b.thompson61@outlook.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Cultural Learning Experiences

Let your heart beat to the sound of the Lambeg Drum as you become immersed in its large role within Northern Irish culture.
An interactive history and music lesson all in one, you’ll be treated to a live performance from one of Northern Ireland's…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to1 Jan 2026

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
- Ramp to main entrance
Rathlin Island Roonivoolin Walk

Rathlin Island

Address

Rathlin Island Harbour, Rathlin Island, County Antrim, BT54 6RT

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Take the route less travelled on Rathlin Island and venture south to the RSPB Roonivoolin Reserve. Amazing views of the coastline can be enjoyed as well as wildlife such as seals, Irish hare and curlew.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Divis Ridge Trail

Belfast

Address

Divis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0NG

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Circular walk with stunning views over Belfast City

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
434 reviews
Colin Glen

Belfast

Address

163 Stewartstown Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0HW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9061 4115

reception@colinglen.org

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Colin Glen is Ireland’s leading adventure park - a land of storytelling and a state of the art sports park with world class attractions. From Alpine coasteering to laser tag, golfing to the Gruffalo Trail, Colin Glen has adventure for everyone.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Causeway Coast Sailing

Ballycastle

Address

42 Straid Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6HF

Telephone
+44 (0) 7759 228111

chris@causewaycoastsailing.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

Day sailing in Northern Ireland. Return sails to Rathlin Island from Ballycastle marina.

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
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
24 reviews
Broughshane Waterfowl Park

Broughshane

Address

Little Acorn Wood, Broughshane, County Antrim, BT42 4RZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2586 2777

broughshane@nacn.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Special waterfowl pond and woodland in Broughshane, run by volunteers with lots of wildlife and outdoor fun for all the family. It's quite unique, being one of only two places in the world where all seven species of swan can be found.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Buttermilk Bridge Walk

Brougshane

Address

Houston's Mill Car Park, 5 Guide Street, Brougshane, County Antrim, BT42 4JU

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Broughshane is known as the "Garden Village of Ulster" thanks to its floral displays. Over 75,000 flowers are planted annually winning the village many national and international awards. Suitable for wheel chair users.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
BelfastLad Tours

Belfast

Address

Belfast, County Antrim, BT13 2BW

Telephone
+44 (0) 7825 631 550

francis@belfastlad.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Northern Ireland, where history and adventure await. At BelfastLad Tours we offer a diverse range of bespoke immersive experiences across Belfast and Northern Ireland. From political tours, half and…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

More Info
Islandmagee Riding Centre

Islandmagee

Address

103 Browns Bay Road, Mullaghboy, Islandmagee, County Antrim, BT40 3TL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9338 2108

barbara.mccluskey1972@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Riding/Trekking Centre

Islandmagee Riding Centre is a BHS-approved, family-run equestrian centre offering lessons, trekking, kids’ events and hands on experiences, all with expert staff and a focus on horse and rider happiness.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking