2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT44 0BQ

Glenarm Castle

Castle

Place photograph

7.8

Wildland

Half day

Time

Paid

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

VillageParklandHistory loversFamiliesPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

7.8

Built by Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, in 1636, Glenarm Castle has remained the ancestral home of the McDonnell family. Its guided tour offers a glimpse inside a lived-in family home, including the Great Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Blue Room.

Glenarm is more than a castle façade: the family still lives here, and the visit connects its interiors with a 17th-century walled garden, woodland walk and heritage centre. Its combination of private-home access and estate history makes it a distinctive stop on the Antrim coast.

Atmospheric · Grand · Historic

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2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT44 0BQ

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The experience

Make the guided castle tour the anchor of a visit. The tour covers the Great Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Blue Room; the ticket includes the Walled Garden, Woodland Walk and Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre. Tours are limited, dates are selective and advance booking is essential.

Things to do

Take a guided castle tour

Explore the family’s private home with a guide, including the Great Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Blue Room. Tours are limited and advance booking is essential.

Visit the 17th-century Walled Garden

The garden is included with the castle-tour ticket when available. Access is subject to ground and weather conditions and may be affected by private bookings or the off-season.

Follow the Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk is listed among the visitor experiences and is included with the castle-tour ticket. Check current access and ground conditions.

Explore the Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre

Use the heritage centre to find out more about the McDonnell family and its connection with the North Antrim coast.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; confirm garden access and ticket arrangements before visiting.

Quick escape: explore the walled garden

01
Check the current visitor information and confirm that the Walled Garden is open on your chosen date.
02
Visit the Walled Garden and, if included in your ticket and accessible that day, take the Woodland Walk.
03
Check whether the Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre is open as part of your visit.

Half day · Half day; check tour dates and timings before booking.

Make a half day of it: castle, garden and family history

01
Book a guided castle tour in advance; public tours run only on selected dates.
02
Explore the Great Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Blue Room with the tour.
03
Continue to the Walled Garden, Woodland Walk and Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre if open and included with your ticket.
04
Check availability and booking details for afternoon tea before planning it as part of the visit.

Verified history

Glenarm Castle was built by Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, in 1636 and has remained in the McDonnell family. The family has been in Glenarm since the 14th century. The castle is still a private family residence, with guided tours available on selected dates.

Hidden details

A private home, not simply a historic attraction — The castle remains the home of the Earl and Countess of Antrim and their family. Public access is by guided tour on selected dates, making advance planning essential.

The garden visit has seasonal and weather limits — The castle-tour page says garden access is subject to ground and weather conditions and may be unavailable during private garden bookings or the off-season.

When to go

March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Choose a scheduled tour time and allow time afterwards for the garden and woodland walk. Tour times are not provided in the supplied evidence; check when booking.

The supplied tour information gives 17 March to 1 November as the period when the Walled Garden can be visited with a castle-tour ticket, subject to conditions. It does not establish the best seasonal display or exact opening dates for every year.

Garden access is subject to ground and weather conditions. Check the estate’s current visitor information before travelling.

What to look for

01
Notice the contrast between the castle’s formal rooms and its continuing role as a private family home. On a tour, look out for the Great Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Blue Room
02
outside, allow time for the 17th-century Walled Garden and woodland walk if open.

The story

Ancestral home of the Earls of Antrim; the McDonnell family’s history is linked with the North Antrim coast.

Best time to go

The supplied castle-tour information gives a garden-access season of 17 March to 1 November, subject to conditions. Check current tour dates and garden access before travelling.

Choose a date when a public castle tour is scheduled and confirm garden access before setting out. The supplied tour page states that garden access is generally offered from 17 March to 1 November, subject to ground and weather conditions.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

History lovers · Families · Photographers

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena BT44 0BQ

Phone

+44 28 2884 1203

Website

glenarmcastle.com

Listed hours

Monday: 10am-5pm
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.5 · 2,021 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A private family home open to visitors for guided castle tours on selected dates. Advance booking is essential. The castle tour ticket includes access to the Walled Garden, Woodland Walk and Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre; garden access can depend on ground and weather conditions.

Parking

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. Parking arrangements and availability: check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Afternoon tea is offered at the castle; check availability and booking requirements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Access within the castle, garden and woodland walk is not specified; check directly before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Paid