Belfast Activity Centre (BAC)

What you can actually do

Onsite sessions pair two activities into a 3-hour block: think the caving experience, an outer cave climb or low-level bouldering wall, a cave abseil or ladder climb, archery, bushcraft, orienteering and team-building games. Offsite sessions run one activity per 3-hour slot, including canoeing on the River Lagan and mountain biking. The centre also leads walks and hikes on Cave Hill, Divis and across the Mournes. The stated minimum age is 8, with activities adapted to suit most ages and abilities, and everything is instructor-led with staff running each session. It suits active children aged 8 and over, school and youth groups, and adult or corporate teams.

Caving & climbing Canoeing on the Lagan Archery & bushcraft Ages 8+ Instructor-led Book ahead

Good to know before you go:

Activity centres like this run holiday camps, residential stays, group days and seasonal sessions, and BAC also runs charity challenges such as abseils. Check their own pages for current activities, dates and prices.

What to bring

👕Clothes you can move inComfy gear you don’t mind getting mucky for the active bits.

👟TrainersClosed-toe footwear is a must for most activities.

💧Water & a snackThirsty work — keep the energy topped up.

🧦Spare socks/layersGrippy socks for indoor centres; a change for outdoor, wetter sessions.

Everything before you go

Type

Instructor-led outdoor adventure charity (multi-activity), book-ahead

Activities

Caving, climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, orienteering, team-building, canoeing on the Lagan, mountain biking, guided walks/hikes (Cave Hill, Divis, Mournes)

Minimum age / height

Minimum age 8; activities adapted to suit most ages and abilities (height limits not published)

Best for ages

Active children 8+, school and youth groups, adult/corporate teams

Booking

Essential - sessions booked in advance

Cost

Booked as 3-hour activity sessions; pricing not published - check current prices

Season / weather

Open 7 days a week; offsite, water and mountain sessions are weather and season dependent

Accommodation

Residential stays for schools and groups, including a 2-night summer camp at Ardaluin (near the Mournes)

Parking

Not confirmed - check with the venue

How long to allow

Half day is a 3-hour block; full day is two 3-hour sessions

Address

Belfast: Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB. Newcastle: Ardaluin House, Bryansford, Newcastle, BT33 0LF

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Essential - sessions booked in advance

What is there to do?

Caving, climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, orienteering, team-building, canoeing on the Lagan, mountain biking, guided walks/hikes (Cave Hill, Divis, Mournes)

What ages is it for?

Active children 8+, school and youth groups, adult/corporate teams Minimum age 8; activities adapted to suit most ages and abilities (height limits not published)

How much does it cost?

Booked as 3-hour activity sessions; pricing not published - check current prices

Is there parking?

Not confirmed - check with the venue

Getting there

Belfast Activity Centre (BAC) is at Belfast: Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB. Newcastle: Ardaluin House, Bryansford, Newcastle, BT33 0LF. Not confirmed - check with the venue. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out in BelfastSee what else is close by More activity centres in NIRainy-day and adrenaline days out

The story

About the centre

Belfast Activity Centre is an independent Northern Ireland charity that has delivered outdoor adventure and active learning since 1989 (NI Charity Commission Reg No. NIC101347). Its mission is to deliver progressive, creative and challenging outdoor adventure learning and accredited award programmes so young people can build skills, confidence and self-belief, with a focus on those at most disadvantage and hardest to reach.

It operates from two bases: Barnett's Demesne on the Malone Road in Belfast and Ardaluin House at Bryansford near Newcastle, on the edge of the Mournes. The charity reports having raised over £4.5 million through its charity abseils and challenges since 1989.