Ballycastle is a small town located in the north of Ireland. It is best known for its beautiful scenery and traditional Irish heritage. There are many things for families to do in Ballycastle and in the surrounding area, regardless of your age or interests. If you’re looking for some ideas on what to do during your visit, read on!
One of the best things about Ballycastle is that there is something for everyone.
If you’re a nature lover, you can take a hike through the stunning Glens of Antrim or go for a walk on one of the many scenic beaches. If you’re interested in history, be sure to visit some of the local castles or learn about the town’s Celtic past at the Ballycastle Museum. And if you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained, there are plenty of fun activities to choose from, such as go-karting, mini golf, and even a summer funfair!
No matter what you decide to do during your stay in Ballycastle, you’re sure to have a memorable experience.
Accommodation is available in the town and surrounding areas. Our self-catering cottage is as low as £99 per night for up to 7 people! There are also a wide variety of activities to choose from in the area. You can find out more on our page: family days.
Activities: There is no shortage of things to do in Ballycastle and the surrounding area! Here are some ideas to get your family started:
Hiking
The Glens of Antrim are a spectacular place to visit and there is plenty of hiking on offer. The most popular routes include the Slieve League Trail, which starts from Ballycastle town centre, and goes through some beautiful scenery before ending in Cushendall village; or if you’re looking for something more challenging then try out the Glenariff Forest Park.
Beaches
There are plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from in the area, including Murlough Bay, Whitepark Bay, and Fair Head. These make for a great place to go for a walk, have a picnic, or just relax and take in the views. We’ve written about our beautiful beach here.
Castles
There are several castles in the area which are worth a visit, including Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and Ballintoy Harbour Castle.
A short drive and a short walk from Ballycastle gets you to Kinbane Castle, for that extra rugged coastal ruin visit!
Museum
The Ballycastle Museum is home to lots of interesting artefacts from the town’s Celtic past and a great way to see how the town has evolved over the years.
Go Karting
If you’re looking for some fast paced fun, then go-karting is a great option. There are several tracks in the wider area and prices start from as little as £20 per person! The track is located just on the way to Portrush, another great coastal town to visit.
Mini Golf
Another fun activity for all ages is mini golf at Ballycastle’s Crazy Golf Course where there are 18 holes of challenging obstacles to tackle. Prices start at just £12 per person!
Summer Funfair
The town’s annual summer fair is always a great day out for families with lots of fun rides and stalls selling local produce. It takes place on the last weekend in July every year, and throughout summer you’ll find a mini fair at the playpark on the promenade, there’s plenty that this fair provides to keep the kids entertained…or to exhaust them for an early night!
Open Farms
There are two open farms in the area: Hilltop Farm Ballycastle and Rosepark Farm Ballymoney (just a 20 minute drive from our accommodation. Rosepark Farm provide our guests and families with a 10 percent discount. Just make a booking, then message us on our facebook page with your details of when you’re visiting the farm and the booking details, and we’ll contact the farm to get your discount on arrival. It has its own beach, so be sure to take swimming clothes! It’s really well set out and definitely one of our top picks for families to do in the area.
Don’t forget to check our facebook page for more videos and updates, and read our blog: a year of staycations in Ballycastle.
Want to visit Ballycastle?
Get the whole family together under one roof. Our large house, self-catering accommodation in Ballycastle sleeps 16 and starts at just £299 per night…that’s about £20 per person!!! To make a booking, click on our booking website here.