Antrim Castle

Overview

Situated on the Randalstown Road in Antrim town, just a 30-minute drive north of Belfast, Antrim Castle Gardens is a sprawling, free-entry attraction that blends centuries of history with carefully restored landscapes. The site centres on the ruined shell of Antrim Castle – a fortified mansion that stood from the early 17th century until a devastating fire in 1922 – and the surrounding 400-year-old formal gardens. Today, the grounds offer a rare combination of 17th-century Anglo-Dutch canals, a 12th-century Norman motte, Victorian pleasure grounds, a recently redesigned Parterre, and the interactive Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden. At the heart of the site, the refurbished Clotworthy House is the visitor centre, exhibition space, and home to Mann’s Garden Kitchen café.

A Layered History

The estate’s story begins in 1613 when English settler Sir Hugh Clotworthy erected a modest fortified house on the banks of the Six Mile Water River. His son, John, enlarged the building in 1662, and through marriage, the estate passed to the Skeffington family, later known as the Viscounts Massereene. Over the centuries, the castle was repeatedly remodelled. A Georgian-Gothic castellated mansion appeared in 1813, designed by Dublin architect John Bowden, and a tall hexagonal Italian stair tower was added in 1887. A neo-Tudor gatehouse with twin towers, dating to around 1818, still stands today.

The castle survived a Jacobite raid in 1689, when General Richard Hamilton’s men looted silver and furniture worth £3,000, and hosted political conferences in the early 1800s. However, at 3am on 28 October 1922, a fire broke out during a small family gathering. While the official verdict was inconclusive, historian Stephen McCracken published definitive evidence in 2022 confirming the blaze was an IRA arson attack. The ruined shell stood until the 1970s, leaving only a raised grass platform, the Italian stair tower, and the gatehouse.

The surrounding gardens endured. A 17th-century Anglo-Dutch canal system was laid out, later complemented by a 19th-century upper canal. The 12th-century motte, likely built by John de Courcy or his followers, remains one of the finest in Ulster. In the 1990s, Antrim Borough Council acquired the derelict stable block and, backed by a £6 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, restored the formal gardens in the early 2010s. Recent additions include a bronze double sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip by Belfast sculptor Anto Brennan, unveiled on 6 September 2024 – reception was mixed (the likeness drew considerable online comment), but it has become a talking point for visitors. The kinetic Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden is a newer addition to the grounds.

What to See & Do

The gardens are designed for leisurely exploration, with clear pathways and interpretive signs guiding visitors through distinct historical eras.

• Clotworthy House & Garden Heritage Exhibition – The former stable block, built around 1843 in the Jacobean revival style, now houses an exhibition tracing four centuries of garden design and the Massereene family’s history through artefacts and historic photographs. After the family departed in the 1950s, the building served for several decades as one of Northern Ireland’s first municipal arts centres, hosting theatre productions, music recitals and visual arts exhibitions, before being restored as the visitor hub for the regenerated gardens.
• Mann’s Garden Kitchen – A family-run café inside Clotworthy House offering homemade, locally sourced dishes, teas, and coffees. Open daily from 09:00 to 16:30.
• Canals & Parterre – Stroll along the 17th-century Anglo-Dutch canals and the later upper canal. The meticulously maintained Large Parterre features geometric planting and formal hedges, recently redesigned to reflect classical garden principles.
• Norman Motte – Walk to the eastern boundary to explore one of Ulster’s best-preserved 12th-century mottes, a tangible link to the medieval de Courcy era.
• Victorian Pleasure Garden & Sensory Garden – Enjoy the romantic planting schemes of the Victorian era, alongside the inclusive Sensory Garden. Designed for neuro-diverse visitors and those with dementia or autism, it features wide 2-metre pathways, raised sensory shrubs, wind chimes, balance beams, and musical instruments.
• Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden – A modern kinetic installation celebrating the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, featuring moving sculptures and interactive elements.
• Time Travel Trails App – A free GPS-enabled augmented reality app (available on iOS and Android, launched summer 2024) with a dedicated 1.7 km circular trail through the gardens called “The Secrets of Antrim Castle Gardens”. AR portals overlay reconstructed historic scenes and oral histories onto the landscape.
• Lime Avenue & Deerpark Bridge – Follow the straight, tree-lined Lime Avenue, which frames views of Shane’s Castle and local churches. Cross the ornamental basalt-rubble Deerpark Bridge, originally built over 300 years ago as the sole link to the historic deer park.
• Local Legends – Keep an ear out for the tale of Lady Marian Langford, who in 1607 was saved from a wolf by a heroic wolfhound that later turned to stone on a castle turret. Another local ghost story speaks of a phantom coach that supposedly descends into the Long Canal every 31 May, reenacting an 18th-century tragedy.

Practical Information

• Location: Randalstown Road, Antrim, County Antrim
• Entry: Free for all visitors. The attraction holds a four-star Tourism Northern Ireland quality assurance rating.
• Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–17:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00. Closed on 1 January, 12 July, and 25–26 December.
• Parking: Three free on-site car parks with dedicated disabled bays and electric vehicle charging points.
• Accessibility: Most garden paths are wheelchair-friendly. Accessible toilets are available in the main gardens and at the café. For a full breakdown of facilities, visit the AccessAble guide.
• Dog Friendly: A dedicated dog park is available on-site, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads throughout the gardens.
• Gift shop: A shop inside Clotworthy House stocks local crafts and heritage books.
• Contact: Phone 028 9448 1338.

Getting There

The gardens are 19 miles (approximately 30 minutes) north of Belfast via the M2. For drivers, follow the A6 to the Randalstown Road turn-off; clear signage directs you to the car parks. Public transport users can take regular bus services to Antrim town, with the nearest stop a short five-minute walk from the entrance. If you have extra time, cross the Deerpark Bridge and follow the Six Mile Water River downstream to reach the shores of Lough Neagh, Ireland’s largest freshwater lake.

Seasonal Highlights & Events

The gardens change character with the seasons, offering something different throughout the year:

• Spring & Summer – The formal gardens burst into colour. The Parterre, Yew Tree Pond, and Victorian planting schemes are at their peak.
• Autumn – Golden foliage provides a striking backdrop for the canals, Lime Avenue, and the ancient Motte.
• Winter – The grounds often host festive lighting displays and seasonal installations, creating a tranquil winter walk.
• Guided Tours & Workshops – Ranger-led tours run seasonally (typically £5 per person), uncovering hidden stories and architectural details. Family workshops, including horticultural classes and nature activities for children, are scheduled throughout the year. Check the official council website for the latest event calendar.

Nearby Attractions

Antrim Castle Gardens makes a convenient base for exploring the wider area:

• Antrim town – A short walk away, explore the historic market square, the 10th-century round tower (The Steeple), and independent shops.
• Black Mountain – A 20-minute drive south offers panoramic views over Belfast and Lough Neagh, plus trails through the Belfast Hills.
• Antrim Coast and Glens – Head north for the dramatic Causeway Coastal Route, featuring rugged cliffs, hidden beaches, and historic ruins.
• Shane’s Castle – Just a 10-minute drive north, the castle ruins and landscaped gardens offer another slice of local heritage.

Plan to allow at least two hours to explore the grounds at a relaxed pace, download the Time Travel Trails app before you arrive, and pack a light lunch to enjoy on the benches overlooking the Long Canal. The combination of free entry, well-maintained paths, and centuries of layered history makes it a straightforward and rewarding stop on any Northern Ireland itinerary.