Glenarm Castle
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Photo: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, No restrictions · Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Private (Glenarm Estate / McDonnell family)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Walled garden seasonal; castle tours select dates; estate stays
Pinpoint
2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena BT44 0BQ
Telephone 028 2884 1203
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Glenarm's walled garden is the main event for most visitors - the castle itself is only open on select tour dates, and several reviewers who came for the garden never got inside the building at all. What is open regularly (garden, cafes, craft shops) is kept to a high standard, on an estate the McDonnell family still lives on.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The walled garden, in particular during tulip season - the feature reviewers return to again and again, ahead of the castle.
Before you go
Check the calendar before visiting if seeing inside the castle matters - tours run on select dates only, while the garden and cafes follow a regular seasonal schedule. Book garden tickets online in advance.
What visitors say
Glenarm Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 1,977 Google reviews
Most visitors rave about the walled garden as the highlight, alongside a warmly personal guided castle tour and a well-regarded tea room, with several praising the family-run, lived-in feel of the estate.
One less enthusiastic reviewer notes that the castle interior isn't always open (it wasn't on a Wednesday in early May) and some of the on-site shops were closed during their visit, so it's worth checking opening days before going.
“We have visited Glenarm Castle Garden today. Lovely Tulips were all over. So beautiful. You can spend one whole day there. Nice Cafe, stone baked pizza much more. Kids will live it.”- Vipin Thomas, visitor review
Walks at Glenarm Castle
Glenarm Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“While walking around the garden there are lots of places to stop and enjoy the space and garden.”- AussieIslander, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Sir Randal MacDonnell · 1636
Glenarm has served as a fortified site since the 13th century when John Bisset received estates from Hugh de Lacy. By 1260 a castle with kitchen garden stood at the village centre. The present castle was erected by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, in 1636 and has remained in family hands ever since.
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
- “After the tour we treated ourselves to lunch in the Tea Room, which was delicious - cosy, charming, and the perfect setting after a wander through the grounds.” - Virtual Towns
Common questions about Glenarm Castle
Where is Glenarm Castle?
Glenarm Castle is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, at 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena BT44 0BQ.
How do you visit Glenarm Castle?
Glenarm Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by Private (Glenarm Estate / McDonnell family). Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Glenarm Castle?
Yes - Glenarm Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
Is Glenarm Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Glenarm Castle - one reviewer noted: “…ourist venue on this amazing coastline. Dog-friendly cafe and an extra, pizza cafe. Craft shops and the most st…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
Are there walks at Glenarm Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “While walking around the garden there are lots of places to stop and enjoy the space and garden.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
