Antrim Castle Gardens
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Sourabh.biswas003, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Sourabh.biswas003, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Grounds only
- Note
- Castle burned 1922; only tower survives; free gardens
Pinpoint
24 Castle St, Antrim BT41 4AU
Antrim Castle itself burned down in 1922, leaving just one tower standing, but the formal gardens around it have been restored and are free to walk - a river, a walled garden, ponds, and an events space where the castle once stood. It reads more as a park with a castle fragment in it than a castle you visit.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The walled garden and riverside walks - reviewers consistently rate the grounds themselves over any remaining castle fabric.
Before you go
Go in expecting a garden and parkland day out rather than a castle tour - there's a cafe and shop on site, and it's well set up for families and dog walks.
What visitors say
Antrim Castle Gardens reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 190 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise this as a well-maintained, family-friendly garden and parkland space - little of the original castle survives beyond the motte - with recurring mentions of wildlife such as ducks and herons, a good cafe, and varied garden areas including a walled garden.
It's described as relatively peaceful and less busy than more famous sites nearby, with no real criticism raised.
“Lovely place to enjoy a family day out. Gardens and walks are well maintained with some stunning views”- Capt Hattori, visitor review
Getting in - what Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council says
Contact Accessibility and Inclusion Officer for specific details: 0300 123 4568 or accessibility@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
Taken from Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Weddings at Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens is on our wedding roll because Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See the full UK castle wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Sir Hugh Clotworthy · 1613
Built in 1613 by an English settler and enlarged by his son in 1662, the castle was later rebuilt as a Georgian-Gothic mansion in 1813. Destroyed by fire in 1922 in disputed circumstances, the building was demolished in the 1970s, but its formal 17th-century gardens survive as a popular attraction.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “River runs close to the castle that host exhibitions and events, cafe, shop and more.” - Nami
Common questions about Antrim Castle Gardens
Where is Antrim Castle Gardens?
Antrim Castle Gardens is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, at 24 Castle St, Antrim BT41 4AU.
Can you go inside Antrim Castle Gardens?
At Antrim Castle Gardens the grounds are open to visit but the castle interior generally isn't, under Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council. Check the official site for current access before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Antrim Castle Gardens?
The walled garden and riverside walks - reviewers consistently rate the grounds themselves over any remaining castle fabric.
Is Antrim Castle Gardens a ruin or still intact?
Antrim Castle Gardens is a ruin - Castle burned 1922; only tower survives; free gardens.
