A coastal country park on the Antrim Coast Road — a hornbeam maze said to be shaped like Northern Ireland, a walled sundial garden, mini-golf and sea views.
A council country park on the Antrim Coast Road just north of Larne — woodland, a walled garden and big views out to sea, wrapped around a hornbeam maze said to be shaped like Northern Ireland.
What you'll see and do — the hedge maze (said to be shaped like Northern Ireland), the walled sundial garden (the "time garden", open all year), 18-hole mini-golf, a big maritime-themed adventure playground, the seasonal family fun zone and activity centre, plus coastal and woodland walks and a golf driving range.
How long — allow a good half day: the maze, playground, mini-golf and a stroll along the coast fill it easily, more if you're doing the paid activities.
Getting in — the park itself is free to walk into; parking is charged on the way out (time-based — confirm current rates on the day). Some attractions are pay-as-you-go on top.
Bring & food — comfy shoes for mixed terrain, and a picnic to be sure; there's a café / snack stop and picnic sites, with a caravan park on site if you're staying over.
Dogs — welcome on leads around the park's walks and grounds.
Some attractions are seasonal and paid. The fun zone, activity centre and several rides run roughly spring to October only — check what's open and book anything you're set on before you travel.
There's a parking charge — the car parks are pay-on-exit (time-based), so keep your ticket and confirm the current rate on the day.
Plan your visit
Can I just turn up? Yes — but check what's open first
The park is free to walk into and there's no booking for a normal visit — you just arrive. The catch is the parking charge: the two car parks are pay-on-exit and charged by how long you stay, so keep your ticket and confirm the current rate on the day. The walled sundial garden, the walks and the maze grounds are open year-round, but the family fun zone, the children's activity centre and many of the rides run seasonally — roughly spring through October — and several are paid on top. If you're coming for a particular attraction, check it's open before you set off.
Café & snack stopPublic toiletsWay-marked walksPicnic sitesDogs on leads
Two to remember:
The gardens, walks and maze grounds are open all year, but the fun zone, activity centre and paid rides are seasonal — usually spring to October. And parking is charged on exit, based on how long you stay — check the current rate on the day.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
👟Comfy shoesThe terrain is mixed — lawns, gravel paths, woodland and coast — so grippy shoes for everyone, and they can get muddy after rain.
🧥A coat and a windproof layerIt's right on the coast, so the sea breeze can be sharp even on a bright day — a light coat means the weather is never a reason to stay in.
🧺A picnicThere are picnic sites and grassy spots with sea views. A café and snack stop are on site, but a picnic is a safe bet, especially off-season.
💷A bit of changeParking is charged on exit and several of the seasonal attractions are pay-as-you-go — handy to have some money ready.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
The park is free to walk into. Parking is charged on exit, based on how long you stay (confirm current rates on the day). Several seasonal attractions — the fun zone rides, mini-golf, the activity centre — are paid on top.
Hours
The park grounds, walled garden and walks are open year-round in daylight hours. The family fun zone and children's activity centre run seasonally, roughly spring to October. Café and facility hours are seasonal too — best to confirm on the day.
What you'll see
The hedge maze (said to be shaped like Northern Ireland), the walled sundial garden — the "time garden" — with its collection of sundials and sculptures, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a maritime-themed adventure playground, a seasonal family fun zone (miniature railway and rides), a children's activity centre, a golf driving range, and coastal and woodland walks with views out to sea.
The maze
Planted with over 1,500 hornbeam, the maze is said to be laid out in the shape of Northern Ireland — a favourite with children trying to find their way through.
Food
A café and snack stop operate on site, with picnic sites and benches around the park. Hours are seasonal, so bring a picnic to be sure, especially out of season.
Staying over
There's a caravan park within the grounds if you want to make more than a day of it.
Toilets
Public toilets on site.
Dogs
Dogs welcome on leads around the park's walks and grounds.
Accessibility
Mixed terrain — some level lawns and surfaced paths, plus woodland and coastal walks that are rougher going. The walled garden and main areas are the easiest for wheels.
How long
Allow a good half day — the maze, playground, mini-golf and a coastal stroll fill it comfortably, longer if you're doing the paid activities.
Questions
Before you go
Is there a charge?
Walking into the park is free. Parking is charged on the way out, based on how long you stay (confirm current rates on the day). Some of the seasonal attractions — the fun-zone rides, mini-golf, the activity centre — are paid on top.
Is the maze really shaped like Northern Ireland?
It's said to be — the hedge maze is laid out in the shape of Northern Ireland, planted with over 1,500 hornbeam. It's a genuine highlight for children trying to reach the middle.
Is everything open all year?
No — the walled garden, walks and maze grounds are open year-round, but the family fun zone, the children's activity centre and several rides run seasonally, roughly spring to October. Check what's open before you travel if you're coming for a particular one.
Is there food on site?
Yes — a café and snack stop operate in the park, with picnic sites and benches around the grounds. Hours are seasonal, so bring a picnic to be safe, especially off-season.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — dogs are welcome on leads around the park's walks and grounds.
Can we stay overnight?
There's a caravan park within the grounds, so you can make more than a day of it if you'd like.
Getting there
Carnfunnock Country Park is on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, a few miles north of Larne between Drains Bay and Ballygally, County Antrim (BT40 2QG). The entrance is right off the coast road. Two car parks on site, charged on exit.
Carnfunnock spreads across roughly 191 hectares of the Antrim coast between Drains Bay and Ballygally — old estate ground of mixed woodland, gardens and shoreline that the council opened up as a country park. The walled garden at its heart is the "time garden", filled with a collection of sundials and wooden sculptures, open the whole year round.
The hedge maze came in the 1980s, planted with over 1,500 hornbeam and, the story goes, laid out in the shape of Northern Ireland. Around it the park grew into a proper family day out — the maritime-themed playground, mini-golf, the driving range, the seasonal fun zone and activity centre, way-marked walks and a caravan park — all cared for now by the local council, with the sea and the Antrim Coast Road running along its edge.