Antrim offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: 400-year-old gardens, a historic round tower, its connection to Lough Neagh and a protected wet woodland. If you’d like to combine culture, landscape and activities, you can give each of these themes different weight. This makes it clear whether gardens and local history, the lakeshore, nature or an activity on the water will shape your trip.
Gardens and history
Antrim Castle Gardens are 400 years old. Their history is also explored at the Garden Heritage Exhibition in Clotworthy House, which covers the development of the gardens as well as the history of the Massereene family and its ties to the development of Antrim and the surrounding area. The gardens are therefore not just a historic site, but are also connected to family and local history. Exhibition access conditions may vary; check them before your visit.
The Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden is located within Antrim Castle Gardens. Manns Garden Kitchen is also situated there and focuses on homemade, locally sourced and fresh food. Menus and opening arrangements may change; check the latest information if you plan to include this in your visit.
Tower and lake exhibition
Antrim Round Tower was built around the 10th century as a bell tower and commemorates Antrim’s ancient monastic settlement. This brings two distinct historical perspectives together: the memory of the former monastic settlement, and the history of the gardens, the family and the town’s development.
The Gateway is an exhibition centre that explains Lough Neagh’s influence on the past, present and future. It places the lake’s relationship with different periods of time at the heart of the story. A description dated 1 June 2021 named the Gateway Centre on Lough Road in Antrim as a starting point for cycling and canoeing activities. If you plan to take part in these activities, check in advance whether they are currently available.
Lakeshore, woodland and water activities
Antrim Lough Shore Park is located on the shores of Lough Neagh and includes an outdoor play area. If you’d like to include it in your plans, check the latest information about its facilities, as they may change.
Rea’s Wood is within the Lough Neagh Special Protection Area and is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation. The woodland is recognised for its high biodiversity as a primary wet woodland habitat. Trees and the shrub layer provide suitable nesting sites for breeding waterfowl; the breeding season is seasonal. Access may be restricted during forestry work.
There is a specific launching rule for boats and canoes: they may only be launched into the Sixmilewater River via Slipway 1, the larger slipway near the Gateway Centre. Registration and safety requirements apply to launching. Anyone planning a canoe trip should therefore consider both the activities currently on offer and these rules.
Planning an overnight stay in Antrim
When planning your overnight stay, you can first decide whether gardens and history, Lough Neagh, the wet woodland or water activities will shape your visit. Then look for hotels in Antrim that suit your personal requirements.
Discover more destinations: Cushendall, Carnlough, Crumlin, Aldergrove, Dunadry, Larne, Templepatrick, Newtownabbey
For the broader travel overview: Antrim.
