Near Belfast Is A Charming Town With Scenic Castle Gardens, Tasty Restaurants, And Golf

Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital and largest city, boasts a thriving harbor, the Titanic museum, and impressive street murals. While this city certainly deserves a visit, those seeking a slower pace can head to the charming town of Antrim, about a 20-minute drive away. Antrim boasts an idyllic natural setting, tucked on the shores of the Six Mile Water river, which flows into Lough Neagh, the U.K.'s largest freshwater lake, in Antrim. Running parallel to the river, the town's small commercial district is anchored by High Street, which is lined with restaurants, shops, and the late 16th-century Gothic church.

Antrim was the main county town for the surrounding County Antrim and later evolved as a market and mill hub. Adjacent to town, the grand Antrim Castle was constructed in the 17th century along the Six Mile Water. Though the castle no longer stands, the formal gardens were restored and are now open to the public, boasting elegant parterres, canals, bridges, winding paths, and a surviving 19th-century tower. For more outdoor fun, head across the river to the 18-hole golf course at the historic Massereene Golf Club, where you can play a round of golf with views of the Lough Neagh. Beyond the town of Antrim lies the namesake County Antrim, which is famed for its rugged coastline that's home to the UNESCO-recognized Giant's Causeway.

Occupying a prominent position on the Six Mile Water are the Antrim Castle Gardens, the scenic grounds of the former Antrim Castle. Antrim Castle was built in the early 17th century by Sir Hugh Clotworthy and later redesigned as an impressive Gothic pile in the 19th century. It was inhabited by Clotworthy's descendants, known as the Viscounts Massereene, until it was destroyed by a fire in the 1920s. The over 50-acre estate opened after a major renovation in 2015 that restored the lush grandeur of the castle's French-inspired gardens. The Antrim Castle Gardens are now free to visit and open daily year-round. Begin at the Clotworthy House, the original stable for the castle that now serves as the visitors center. Afterwards, head outside to explore the Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden, a petite storybook garden that was designed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 with timed displays. Meander over to the nearby large parterre, where gracious hedges border manicured flower beds. The parterre is flanked by the Dutch-influenced Long Canal, a tree-lined water feature with walking paths on each side for a picturesque stroll.

Facing the Six Mile Water, which runs through the idyllic property, you'll see the original site of the Antrim Castle and an 12th-century motte, an earth mound once topped by an ancient fortification. All that remains of the 17th-century Antrim Castle is the crenellated tower rising above the river that was added in the late 1880s. Circle back through Her Ladyship's Pleasure Garden, crisscrossed by whimsical paths, to see the Deerpark Bridge, a romantic stone bridge extending over the river. After you've toured the castle gardens, return back to the Clotworthy House to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at Manns Garden Kitchen, the cute on-site cafe. 

Across the Six Mile Water from the Antrim Castle Gardens is the Massereene Golf Club. The course was built in the late 19th century and is bordered by the lakefront of Lough Neagh, a once-thriving Irish beauty that is now sadly dying due to toxic green algae. Today, the 18-hole course is open to members and the public. Flanked by dense trees, the rolling course demands precise shots. "Greens are some of the best I've played on," raved a Google Maps reviewer. "Lovely view from the clubhouse over Lough Neagh, and the food was delicious." For more golf in Antrim, the town's Allen Park has an 18-hole golf course, as well as a driving range and chipping areas. If you want to play the legendary courses at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, which hosted the 2025 Open Championship, drive north to the charming coastal town of Portrush.

After exploring Antrim, you can enjoy a meal at one of the town's tasty restaurants. Overlooking the point where the Lough Neagh meets the Six Mile Water is The Boathouse, an airy space with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the views. The menu features a wide range of global flavors, from Irish sirloin steak and Persian chicken kebob to fish tacos and Thai prawn curry. On Central Fountain Street is Tripadvisor's top-rated restaurant in Antrim: Top of the Town. Start the day here with a classic fry (fried eggs, sausage or bacon, and soda bread) or dine on bangers and mash for lunch. For a traditional Scottish meal in a historic wood-beamed dining room, head a short drive out of town to the 19th-century McLarnon's Ramble Inn, which is Northern Ireland's oldest restaurant. After your visit to Antrim, check out some of the incredible sights on the Antrim Coast, which is one of the prettiest coastal destinations in Ireland.

Antrim is about a 25-minute drive outside of Belfast. If you're flying in, Antrim is just a 15-minute drive from Belfast International Airport (BFS), which receives nonstop flights from most major European cities. The best time to visit Antrim for outdoor activities is June through August, when high average temperatures hover around the mid-60s Fahrenheit.