Glenarm Castle

Feb 24
3 min read

At a Glance

📍 Glen-arm

💷 Paid (children under 12 currently go free for the Walled Garden, Woodland Walk & Heritage Centre) Playpark & Shops FREE

🅿️ On-site parking

🚻 Toilets & baby changing available

♿️ Accessible pathways around the Walled Garden

☕️ Tea Room, ice cream, pizza pavilion and other eateries on site

🧒 Best for all ages

🗺️ 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena, BT44 0BQ

Website

What You'll Find

If you're looking for a family day out that has a bit of everything, Glenarm Castle is hard to beat. Nestled along the beautiful Causeway Coastal Route, this historic estate combines stunning gardens, woodland walks, adventure play and plenty of space for little legs to explore.

The award-winning Walled Garden is the heart of the estate and is bursting with colourful flowers, water features, sculptures and winding pathways. Every corner feels like there's something new to discover, making it just as exciting for children as it is for adults.

Beyond the gardens you'll find the peaceful Woodland Walk, where little adventurers can spot birds, squirrels and seasonal flowers. There's even a fun children's trail to keep them entertained as they wander through the trees.

One of our favourite areas has to be the Woodland Adventure Play Area. Built from natural timber, it blends perfectly into the woodland and includes climbing nets, rope bridges, balance challenges and a brilliant stainless-steel slide that's guaranteed to be a hit.

The estate also has independent shops, a heritage centre, seasonal events throughout the year and even Mini Land Rover experiences for children on selected days, making it somewhere you can easily spend several hours exploring.

For the Grown Ups

Parents will love how beautifully maintained the whole estate is.

Grab a coffee and homemade treat in the Tea Room, enjoy lunch or a pizza, browse the independent shops or simply take your time wandering through one of Northern Ireland's most impressive historic gardens.

With stunning views towards the Antrim coastline and plenty of benches throughout the gardens, it's somewhere you'll genuinely enjoy spending the day too.

Why We Loved It

✅Beautiful award-winning Walled Garden

✅Fantastic natural woodland play park

✅ Woodland trail that's perfect for little explorers

✅Lovely cafés and plenty of places to eat

✅Seasonal family events including the famous Tulip Festival and Christmas experiences

✅Easy to combine with other Causeway Coast adventures

Wee Adventurers Top Tips

⭐ Allow at least 3–4 hours to enjoy everything without rushing.

⭐ Pack scooters for the estate paths if your little ones tire easily.

⭐ Visit during spring for the incredible tulip displays or autumn when the woodland is full of colour.

⭐ If you're travelling the Causeway Coastal Route, Glenarm Castle makes the perfect stop before heading north towards Carnlough and Glenariff.

⭐ Check the events calendar before you visit as there are lots of seasonal family activities throughout the year.

Overall Verdict

Glenarm Castle is one of those places that really does have something for everyone. Whether your little adventurers want to climb, explore, run through the woodland or simply enjoy a picnic in beautiful surroundings, it's a fantastic family day out.

It perfectly mixes history, nature and adventure, making it a destination you'll want to return to throughout the seasons. From colourful spring flowers to magical Christmas events, every visit offers something a little different.