Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne, Antrim

Updated On: April 07, 2024 by   Shaimaa Olwan

Looking for places to visit in Northern Ireland with your family and friends? Located in Northern Ireland, Carnfunnock Country Park is the best place for visitors from the UK, Ireland and overseas to have the perfect family day. It is a 191-hectare park, including a caravan park and a camping site. Visiting the park is quite an experience since it has several colourful gardens, walking trails and a fantastic coastline. In addition, it has activities for all age groups, especially outdoor activities, varying from fun zones with miniature railways to table tennis and draughts.

Location

Carnfunnock Country Park is between Drains Bay and Ballygally, near Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, 3.5 miles north of Larne. It is possible to get to the park from several locations. Firstly, if you are from Larne, the distance is approximately 3.5 miles (about 5.6 km). If you are in the City Centre, you must follow the signs along the Coast Road (A2) through Drains Bay, and the entrance to the park is about 0.5 miles (about 0.80 km) on the left. Yet, if you are coming from Glenarm, you need to follow the signs for Larne and drive along the Coast Road (A2) through Ballygally, and the park is about a mile (about 1.6 km) to the right.

Secondly, if you are coming from Belfast, the journey is a little bit longer, about 26 miles (about 41.8 km). It would help if you headed out of Belfast to the M2 northbound, and at junction 4, take the A8(M)/A6 exit to Larne/Glengormley. Then, take the 2nd exit onto A8(M) and the 2nd exit at the next roundabout onto Ballynure Road/A8. You drive along this road for about 22 miles (about 35.4 km). When entering Larne, do not take the first exit for the town centre but continue to the harbour, taking the next left toward Circular Road/A2 sign posted Antrim Coastal Route. At the roundabout, take the 4^th exit onto Circular Road/A2 and continue to follow A2 for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km). The park should be on the left.

Finally, if you are coming from Dublin, it is a 126-mile (about 202 km) journey but with the most accessible instructions. All you need to do is head to Belfast and follow the route to Larne, per the adjacent directions. Wherever you are coming from, look out for the unique pyramid feature indicating the Park entrance.

History of the Park

There is a historical part to Carnfunnock Country Park, but let’s start with the name. “Carn” means a heap of stones marking an ancient boundary, a navigation point or grave and “Funnock” is derived from “Feannog” or “Fannoge”, meaning Royston or Scalded Crow. It was a well-known landmark in ancient times.

Between 1600 and 1640, many English and Scottish families settled in Ulster, especially counties Antrim and Down, as noblemen parcelled out small estates and gifted or leased their land. Sir Randal McDonnell, who became Earl of Antrim, was granted land stretching from Coleraine to Larne by James I. The Carnfunnock lands were included in a rental deed dated 1st February 1621 between the Right Honourable Randall McDonnell and John Shaw of Ballygally Castle. On 1st May 1823, Captain William Agnew (1747–1828) obtained a permanent lease from the Marquis of Donegal for lives renewable forever of land in the Lough and Corran, Larne (including Drumalis).

On the death of Captain Agnew in 1828, his lands and harbour passed to his son, James Agnew (1794–1880), who, due to some unfortunate investments, sold lands, properties and business interests to James Chaine. He invested heavily, improving significantly the land’s primitive quays and facilities, promoting Larne as a port and re-establishing the Larne-Stranraer passenger service in 1872. A mail route was established in 1875, and a trans-Atlantic service between Glasgow, Larne and New York began in 1873.

In August 1956, Lady Dixon agreed to sell her lands at Carnfunnock to Larne Borough Council. Initially, the Council thought they might earmark a portion for playing fields, which were not enough in Larne Town, although the land was far from the town. However, the idea was dismissed due to other priorities and a shortage of time.

In early 1957, Larne Borough Council took over approximately 473 acres of land in Carnfunnock, including numerous buildings, the walled garden and the Carnfunnock House chalet (now the Larne Lions Club Holiday Home). Buildings included Brownlow House (Frank Brownlow, Land steward); Main Lodge; Shore Lodge ( J. Mulligan, gardener); Red House (WJ Brownlow, farm worker); North Lodge( James Black, farm worker); White House (girl guides); Droagh House( James Hunter, farm worker); Turks House and two houses in Tobergel.

Refurbishments

In 1981, Larne Borough Council revealed a master plan to transform Carnfunnock into a significant tourist attraction. Developments commenced in the mid-1980s, and by 1985, the maze, designed in the shape of Northern Ireland, was in place. By 1986, the Visitor Centre had opened, consisting of a cafeteria, laundry, toilet facilities for campers, and an exhibition/craft space. Work on the walled garden started in January 1988. It was officially opened as a country park by HRH, the Duchess of Kent, on 23rd July 1990. Over the years, the Council has continued to add unique attractions. The Activity Centre was opened in 1993, and a 9-hole par 3 golf course was opened in 1995. Today, Carnfunnock attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Things to do at Carnfunnock Country Park

Carnfunnock Country Park has a variety of fun things on offer that young and old will love, and it is the perfect place to enjoy a walk with over 191 acres of beautiful woodland. It also offers fantastic views over the coastline that are not to be missed. The following attractions are open all year round from 9 am till dusk (latest 9 pm from June to September). They are closed on Christmas Day.

Note: Attractions may be closed to the public if there are icy or snowy ground conditions.

• Walled garden
• BBQ/Picnic sites

There is also a caravan park and camping site at the country park if you’re up for sleeping outside in the woods or trying something different. The Barbeque and picnic area are a hit during summer to enjoy the sunny weather.

• Forest Walks, Orienteering, Wildlife Garden, Biodiversity Trail
• Adventure Playground
• Activity Centre

This is one of the reasons why Carnfunnock Country Park is so famous. There is an area dedicated to different and fun activities for everyone. Outdoor activities include giant chess and draught, and a giant connect four, providing endless fun. Try out table tennis, and why not turn it into a friendly competition with your friends and family? There is also a snack bar where you can grab a nice drink or ice cream.

• Activity Centre Snack Stop & Parklands Café

They are open Monday–Sunday (9:00 am–5:00 pm).

• Matthew Stewart Golf Driving Range & Academy

The Matthew Stewart Golf Academy has a 14-bay undercover floodlit driving range open 7 days a week all year round, except for Christmas. The change machine and automatic ball dispenser are available at the range. It is open Monday–Friday (8 am–8 pm) and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (10 am–5 pm).

• Carnfunnock Maze

You must also check out the maze, uniquely shaped like Northern Ireland. You could spend hours trying to make your way out of it. It is open from March/April to October/November from 9 am till dusk (9 pm July–August).

Note: the Maze is closed to the public in slippery ground conditions, and access will be restricted for Halloween events.  For further details, check the telephone numbers below or the events listing.

• Activity Centre Kiosk & Outdoor Games

All hours are subject to weather, group bookings, ground and light conditions. Opening hours are as follows:

28 March–8 April 2018 (Easter Holidays): Monday to Sunday (10 am–5.30 pm).

9 April–28 June 2018: Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (10 am–6 pm), Monday–Friday (Closed).

29 June–30 August 2018 (school holidays): Monday–Sunday (10 am–6 pm).

31 August–4 November 2018: Saturday and Sunday (10 am–5 pm), Monday–Friday (Closed).

• Family Fun Zone

There you’ll find a miniature railway, bouncy castle, 18-hole mini golf, remote control boats/trucks, WOW balls, bungee run, and bungee trampoline. The Family Fun Zone is open in September and October: Saturday (12:00 pm–4:00 pm) and Sunday (1:00 pm–4:00 pm).

• Facetastic

Enjoy the face painting and tattoos. It is open Monday–Saturday (12 am–4:30 pm) and Sunday (12:30 am–4:30 pm).

• 9 Hole Golf Course

Another attraction in Carnfunnock is a fun 9-hole golf course that showcases beautiful views of the Antrim coast and across Scotland. The Golf Course is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm in April/May onwards–4 November 2018. Please note that the opening hours may change due to ground conditions or maintenance.

• Visitor Centre with Gift Shop

It is open on:
26 March–30 September 2018: Monday–Thursday (10 am–6 pm) (Open 9.30 am–7 pm in July and August), Friday (10 am–9 pm) (Open 9.30 am in July and August), Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (10 am–7 pm) (Open 9.30 am in July and August)

1 October–3 November 2018: Friday (1 pm–9 pm), Saturday and Sunday (10 am–5/6 pm), Monday–Thursday (Closed)

• Outdoor Playground

The children’s outdoor play area is another popular attraction at Carnfunnock Country Park. This playground offers children the chance to try out some challenging and fun equipment where they could spend hours enjoying themselves. This playground is suitable for children aged 12 years and under. For children under the age of five, they have their area dedicated to them, including swings, a see-saw and a multi-activity play unit. A sensory play centre is also found here.

Facilities

For those wishing to have a bite on sight, Carnfunnock Park has various eating facilities offering different types of food. In addition, several barbecue sites catering to groups of any size, from families to large parties, are available for hire. There are also many picnic areas throughout the park, so visitors can bring along their picnic. Toilets are located in the Visitor Centre and Activity Centre. All buildings contain accessible and baby-changing facilities.

Onsite Catering

• Visitor Centre cafe (Parklands Cafe)

Parklands Cafe at Carnfunnock can accommodate up to 40 customers inside, and the adjacent outside terrace, with its dramatic views of the Antrim Coast, is for their patron’s use only. Private parties can be catered for by arrangement.

• Activity Centre Snack Stop (Parklands Cafe)

With the maritime-themed playground proving ever popular, the adjacent building has been colourfully refurbished and is now a Snack Stop, operated privately. Visitors can enjoy hot drinks and snacks, including sandwiches, hot dogs, sausage rolls and scones. For those with a sweet tooth, a wide variety of cakes, tray-bakes, crisps, and chocolate bars are on offer, as well as ice cream and lollies.

• Activity Centre Covered BBQ

This area is available for private hire only and includes picnic tables and chairs, night lights, a PowerPoint for CD players, a kettle, etc. It can accommodate up to 75 people. Fuel, charcoal and cooking utensils are not provided. A maximum of 2 cars are permitted to drive along the adjacent lane to drop off materials, and charcoal may be kept in the Activity Centre store, but not fresh food.  There is no water tap available, and you are advised to bring along jugs/basins to have filled by Activity Centre staff.

This area must be booked and paid for in advance at the Visitor Centre. Payment is based on group size, type of use and number of grids required. If it is hired for a picnic (and no grills are required), the picnic rate will apply. If there are back-to-back bookings, groups are requested to leave the BBQ lit for the next group. An additional charge will be incurred if this area is required after 9.00 pm.

• Games Field Covered BBQ

This private hire sheltered area, located close to the Family Fun Zone, can accommodate up to 150 people and includes picnic tables, night lights, a power point for CD players, a kettle, etc. Fuel, charcoal and cooking utensils are not provided. A maximum of 2 cars are permitted to drive along the adjacent laneway to drop off materials, and charcoal may be kept in the Activity Centre store, but not fresh food. There is no water tap available, and you are advised to bring along jugs/basins to have filled by Activity Centre staff.

This area must be booked and paid for in advance at the Visitor Centre. Payment is based on group size, type of use and number of grids (up to 3) required. The picnic rate will apply if it is hired for a picnic (and no grills are needed). If there are back-to-back bookings, groups are requested to leave the BBQ lit for the next group. An additional charge will be incurred if this area is required after 9.00 pm.

• Permanent built brick BBQs (with separate grids)

These are located at the Visitor Centre veranda and the lower car park.

• Mobile BBQs

These can be located at the former Lions House Garden Picnic Area, Games Field or Upper Car Park picnic area. Any hired BBQs must be booked and paid for in advance at the Visitor Centre.

• Picnics/Disposable BBQs

Picnic tables are available throughout the Park for anyone bringing packed lunches. Many of the picnic tables contain grills for using disposable BBQs. They are found in the main car park, at the Visitor Centre, in the games field and at dedicated picnic areas alongside the main entrance road. These areas cannot be pre-booked unless for permanent BBQ hire.

Carnfunnock Park Events

Carnfunnock Park has an annual schedule of events that is uploaded to its website. These events may be regular or seasonal:

• Parkrun

Larne Parkrun is a FREE regular weekly 5km event for all runners. It takes place in Carnfunnock Country Park, starting from Drains Bay. It’s not a race against other runners but a timed run, whether jogging for fun or running as training. You can register before your first ever Parkrun from www.parkrun.org.uk/larne/.

• National Tree Week

This is a free event where local schools and interested parties are again invited to plant native tree and shrub species in Carnfunnock during National Tree Week. It will take place from 24 November to 2 December 2018.

Admission Fees

Entrance to the park is free of charge, as is the use of the walled garden, maze, adventure playground and walks. Parking charges apply at various times throughout the year, and there are also charges for some attractions, activities and events. Cars displaying a valid Blue Badge can park free of charge.

Opening Times

The Country Park is open daily:  Spring/Summer (9 am–dusk) (9 pm in July–August) and Autumn/Winter (9 am–4.30 pm) (Closed on Christmas Day). In addition, certain activities are seasonal and weather permitting.

Contacts

Please visit the Carnfunnock Country Park website or the Carnfunnock App for further details.

• Tel: 028 2826 2471 (Mar/Apr-Oct/Nov)
• Tel: 028 2826 2495 (out of season)
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: carnfunnock.co.uk

Have you ever been to Carnfunook Country Park? Or are you planning a visit? We would love to know!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other blog posts: Ulster American Folk Park| Roe Valley Country Park| Crawfordsburn| Streamvale Open Farm| Botanic Gardens| Redburn Country Park| Gruffalo Trail|