Walled gardens, sundials, sculptures, woodland trails, a children’s playground and even a hedge maze are all on offer in the beautiful Carnfunnock Country Park. This park on the east coast of Ireland, near Larne in County Antrim, also boasts spectacular views over Drains Bay and the dramatic North Channel, separating Ireland and Scotland.
Carnfunnock Country Park was opened in 1990, but has a history dating back much earlier, as evidenced by some of the follies dotted around the park. This includes an old icehouse, long disused and now emerging from woodland moss. Carnfunnock attracts many families thanks to its excellent playground, miniature railway and its pitch and putt course. In the summer, it boasts a bouncy castle.
If you’re visiting Northern Ireland on a walking holiday, you can even stay here as Carnfunnock Country Park also hosts its own campsite. While the park is undoubtedly best enjoyed in summertime, it also makes a great brisk winter walk for the hardy, and you can warm up with a hot chocolate afterwards in the park’s visitor centre.
At Carnfunnock’s heart is an award-winning hedge maze in the shape of Northern Ireland. Be warned – it’s quite the challenge, so be sure to accompany younger children if you’re brave enough to enter!
Let the kids roam free in safe surrounds. Located just 25 miles drive north of Belfast along the A2 road, Carnfunnock Country Park makes a really relaxed but nevertheless fun day out.
