Overview
The reason to come to Glenarm is the walled garden, which was named Historic Houses Garden of the Year in 2023 – the first Northern Irish garden to take the award. The castle itself is a private family home, still lived in by the Earl and Countess of Antrim, and its interior is open only for occasional butler-led tours, so plan your visit around the garden and grounds rather than the house. Glenarm Castle sits at the heart of the village of Glenarm on the north-Antrim coast, on the Causeway Coastal Route, and beyond the garden you’ll find a woodland walk, the Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre and a busy calendar of seasonal events.
History
The first fortification on the site dates to the 13th century when John Bisset made Glenarm his capital. The Bisset family held the lands until the early 16th century, when the MacDonnells – later the Earls of Antrim – seized the property. John Mor MacDonnell married the Bisset heiress Marjory in the 14th century, cementing the clan’s presence in the region.
The present stone-faced castle was erected by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, in 1636. A fire set by Scottish forces shortly afterwards left the house a ruin for about 90 years. Rebuilding began after the family’s Ballymagarry house burned in 1750, reshaping the building from a grand country house into a gothic-style castle. Another serious fire in 1929 damaged the main block; reconstruction continued through the 1930s, giving the interior its current blend of Georgian elegance and gothic touches. The old kitchen is the only room that has survived unchanged since the 18th century.
The walled garden was laid out in the 1820s to supply the household with fresh produce. Over the past two decades the family has restored it, with heritage fruit trees, water features and deep seasonal borders — the work that earned it Garden of the Year in 2023.
What to See & Do
- Guided Castle Tours – On selected dates only, and worth timing a visit around if the house interests you. George, the family butler, leads visitors through the drawing-room, dining-room, atmospheric Blue Room and great hall. The 18th-century old kitchen is the one room to survive unchanged; advance booking is essential.
- Walled Garden & Woodland Walk – The garden is the highlight, with camellias, rhododendrons, wild garlic and heritage fruit trees. The adjoining woodland walk climbs through acer maples and seasonal wild garlic to elevated views over the garden and the estate park, where Shorthorn cattle graze; red squirrels, robins and rabbits are the likely wildlife.
- Antrim McDonnell Heritage Centre – Interactive displays trace the clan’s story from the 14th-century migration to the present day.
- Coach House Museum – Housed in the historic coach house, this museum features rotating displays of Lord Antrim’s vintage cars and artefacts that illustrate life on the estate from the 1600s onward.
- Family Activities – The Woodland Adventure Play Area features a rope bridge, climbing nets and a stainless-steel slide. The estate also offers a Dog Park with an agility course and e-bike hire for coastal rides.
- Events – The estate runs a busy calendar. Recurring highlights are the Tulip Festival over the May bank holiday, the Dalriada Festival in July, and a Christmas market with carol singing and light displays in winter. These are ticketed separately from ordinary garden admission — check the events page for dates and prices.
- Food & Drink – The Tea Room is located in the historic Mushroom House. The estate also features a Milk Parlour for hand-crafted ice-cream, a Pizza Pavilion serving wood-fired sourdough, and the Potting Shed café.
- Accommodation – On-site options include the Ocean View Pods (glamping for up to four, with sea views), the Mill House cottage, and the Barbican Gate lodge, which dates to 1825.
Practical Information
Opening Times & Ticketing
The estate opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:15; members can get in from 9am. Castle tours run on selected dates only, so check the website before travelling if the house is your reason for visiting.
Garden and woodland admission (which includes the Heritage Centre and Coach House Museum) is £10 for adults, £5 for youths aged 4–17, free for under-3s, £8.50 concession, and £17.50 for a family. Note that children aren’t free unless they’re under three — the £5 youth rate covers everyone from 4 to 17. Festival days and castle tours are priced separately. Advance online booking is recommended, especially for tours and over peak summer weekends.
Getting There & Transport
- By Car: From Belfast, follow the M2 to Larne, then the A2 Causeway Coastal Route – about an hour. There’s on-site parking, with accessible spaces near the Welcome Centre.
- Public Transport: Trains run from Belfast to Larne or Ballymena, from where a Translink coastal bus serves Glenarm; check current routes and times on the Translink site, as connections are limited.
- Cycling: E-bike hire is available on the estate, with popular routes to Carnlough Harbour and a coastal loop toward Ballygally.
Accessibility
- Guide dogs are welcome across the grounds, with complimentary access to the Dog Park from 9:00 to 10:00 daily.
- Blue badge parking is available near the Welcome Centre.
- Car parks and some garden paths are gravel, which wheelchair users may find difficult; contact the team beforehand to check conditions.
Booking & Contact
Castle tours and garden tickets can be booked online via the estate’s official website. For general enquiries, call 028 2884 1203 or email the welcome centre.
Nearby Attractions
- Antrim Coast and Glens – The spectacular coastal drive that passes Glenarm, linking the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rède and the Nine Glens of Antrim.
- Ballycastle – A charming harbour town with shops, pubs and coastal walks, located just a short drive along the coast.
- Ballycastle Museum – Explore local history and heritage exhibits in the town’s dedicated museum.
- Glenariff Forest Park – Located approximately 30 minutes by car, this park offers extensive woodlands, lakes and family-friendly walking trails.
If you can, come over the May bank holiday for the Tulip Festival, when the walled garden — the estate’s real prize — is at its fullest.