Days Out NI
Theatre & gallery Portstewart

Flowerfield Arts Centre

Free art galleries, a small theatre and kids' workshops near the Portstewart coast.

5 photos
Check what’s onMon-Fri 9:30am-5pm (Wed & Thu later eveni…
FreeBook ahead
PortstewartTheatre & gallery
Get directionsOfficial website
1-2 hoursHow long
FreeAdmission
Around 5-12 for…Best for
On siteCafé
FreeParking

Flowerfield Arts Centre — Free art galleries, a small theatre and kids' workshops near the Portstewart coast.

  • Admission: Galleries free to walk in.
  • Tickets: Theatre shows, music and screenings are ticketed; book ahead via Flowerfield's listings.
  • For families: Pottery, ceramics, glass, printmaking, painting and puppet-making workshops; summer art camps; family shows and screenings.
  • Opening: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm (Wed & Thu later evenings), Sat 10am-1pm, closed Sun.
  • Café: Cafe-style reception with craft shop.
  • Best for: Around 5-12 for workshops; younger kids enjoy the playpark and lawns.
Plan your visit

What families do here

Start in the galleries, which are free to walk through and change regularly with contemporary art, craft and exhibitions. Then there's the making side: the centre runs pottery, ceramics, fused glass, printmaking, painting and puppet-making workshops, many pitched at children aged 5 to 12 and teens. Summer brings multi-day art camps with coastal themes like seashore and under-the-sea, and some sessions are free drop-ins while others carry a small charge. In the auditorium you'll find family-friendly shows, live music, comedy and National Theatre Live screenings through the year. Check Flowerfield's listings for current workshops and shows, dates and prices.

Free galleries Small theatre Kids' workshops Playpark on site Cafe & craft shop Free parking
Good to know before you go:

Flowerfield runs year-round seasons of exhibitions, theatre, live music, comedy and family shows, plus a creative learning programme of children's workshops and summer art camps, with festive shows around Christmas. Check their own listings for current dates and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🎟️Your bookingShows and big exhibitions sell out — book ahead where you can.
  • 💷A bit of pocket moneyFor the café, the shop or a show programme.
  • 🧒An eye on the age guidanceSome shows and galleries suit certain ages best — check first.
  • 📱The what’s-on pageThe programme changes all the time — see what is on the day you go.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Admission
Galleries free to walk in
Tickets
Theatre shows, music and screenings are ticketed; book ahead via Flowerfield's listings
Family programming
Pottery, ceramics, glass, printmaking, painting and puppet-making workshops; summer art camps; family shows and screenings
Best for ages
Around 5-12 for workshops; younger kids enjoy the playpark and lawns
Opening
Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm (Wed & Thu later evenings), Sat 10am-1pm, closed Sun
Cafe
Cafe-style reception with craft shop
Toilets
Yes, on site with accessible facilities
Parking
Free parking outside the venue
Accessibility
Disabled access throughout; fully accessible Diversity Playpark outside
How long to allow
1-2 hours for a gallery and cafe visit; longer for a workshop or show
Address
185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
Galleries free to walk in
How do I get tickets?
Theatre shows, music and screenings are ticketed; book ahead via Flowerfield's listings
Is there anything for kids?
Pottery, ceramics, glass, printmaking, painting and puppet-making workshops; summer art camps; family shows and screenings
When is it open?
Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm (Wed & Thu later evenings), Sat 10am-1pm, closed Sun
Is there a café?
Cafe-style reception with craft shop
Getting there

Flowerfield Arts Centre is at 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU. Free parking outside the venue. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About the venue

Flowerfield opened in 1980 as Northern Ireland's first local-authority developed arts centre, in a listed Georgian-style house on the Coleraine Road in Portstewart.

In 2004 the original building was extended to add a purpose-built auditorium, galleries, studios including ceramics and glass studios, and a cafe-style reception with a craft shop. The auditorium has retractable tiered seating with additional balcony seats and a sliding wall that opens onto Flowerfield Park.

Today it's run by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, hosting contemporary art exhibitions, a year-round performance programme and a creative learning programme of workshops for all ages.