A walled garden said to be one of Ireland's oldest, wrapped inside a family castle estate on the Antrim Coast — mixed borders, a great yew walk, glasshouses and grounds to wander, with a tea room when you're done.
What you'll see — the walled garden with its long mixed borders, a huge yew walk, a kitchen garden and glasshouses; then estate and woodland walks through the demesne, and the castle looming beyond the trees. There's a tea room, and often a farm shop for local produce.
The events — the estate runs its "Dalriada" season through the year: a Tulip Festival in spring, a Highland Games in summer and a Christmas trail in winter. Worth timing a visit around one if you can.
For families — plenty of open grounds and paths to roam, and the garden is an easy, pram-friendly wander. All ages.
How long — allow a half day for the walled garden, a stroll of the grounds and a stop in the tea room; longer if there's an event on.
You visit the GARDEN & grounds, not the castle. Glenarm Castle is the private home of the MacDonnell family (Earls of Antrim), so the interior isn't generally open — the walled garden, estate and events are the day out.
Seasonal — check it's open before you set off. The walled garden and estate open roughly spring to autumn, and event days change the hours. Confirm current opening and prices on the day before you travel.
Food & parking — there's a tea room on site and often a farm shop; parking is on site. Bring a coat for the garden and comfy shoes for the walks.
Plan your visit
The walled garden, the grounds and the events
The star of Glenarm is its walled garden — thought to be one of Ireland's oldest, with long mixed borders, a great yew walk, a kitchen garden and glasshouses laid out inside the old estate walls. Around it run estate and woodland walks through the demesne, with the castle and the river close by. There's a tea room for lunch or a scone, and often a farm shop selling local produce. Entry to the walled garden is paid, and opening is seasonal — usually spring to autumn — so check the current opening times and admission prices before you travel, especially around the estate's "Dalriada" event days (the Tulip Festival in spring, the Highland Games in summer, and Christmas). One thing to be clear on: the castle itself is the MacDonnell family's private home and isn't generally open inside, so this is a day for the garden, grounds and events, not a tour of the house.
Tea roomFarm shop (check)ToiletsParking on siteDogs — check policy
It's a private family home:
Glenarm Castle is still lived in by the MacDonnell family, so you visit the walled garden and estate rather than the house interior (save for occasional special tours). Opening is seasonal and can change on event days — check the current times and prices before you set off so it's open when you arrive.
Before you set off
What to bring
👟Comfy shoesGrass, gravel paths and estate walks through the demesne — you'll cover some ground.
🧥A coat for the gardenIt's an outdoor day; rain only makes the borders glow greener on the coast.
🗓️Check it's openOpening is seasonal and event days shift the hours — confirm the current times before you travel.
🛍️A bag for the farm shopThere's often a farm shop for local produce — handy to take a little of the estate home.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Paid entry to the walled garden, with family tickets usually available. Prices vary by season and on event days, so check the current admission before you travel.
Opening hours
Seasonal — the walled garden and estate typically open spring to autumn, with hours changing on "Dalriada" event days. Confirm the current opening times on the day before you set off.
The castle
Glenarm Castle is the private home of the MacDonnell family (Earls of Antrim) and isn't generally open inside, other than occasional special tours. Visitors come for the walled garden, grounds and events.
What you'll see
A walled garden said to be one of Ireland's oldest — mixed borders, a great yew walk, a kitchen garden and glasshouses — plus estate and woodland walks through the demesne.
Events
The estate's "Dalriada" season includes a Tulip Festival in spring, a Highland Games in summer and a Christmas trail in winter. Check dates and book ahead where needed.
Food
A tea room on site for lunch, tea and scones, and often a farm shop selling local produce.
Parking
Parking on site.
Dogs
Dog policy varies — check the estate's current rules before bringing your dog.
How long
Allow half a day for the garden, a stroll of the grounds and the tea room — longer on an event day.
Questions
Before you go
Can I go inside the castle?
Not usually — Glenarm Castle is the MacDonnell family's private home, so the interior isn't generally open, save for occasional special tours. Your visit is the walled garden, the estate walks and the events.
What's the walled garden like?
It's said to be one of Ireland's oldest walled gardens: long mixed borders, a great yew walk, a kitchen garden and glasshouses, all inside the old estate walls. An easy, pram-friendly wander that's lovely across the seasons.
Is it open all year?
No — opening is seasonal, roughly spring to autumn, and event days change the hours. Always check the current opening times and prices before you travel.
What are the events?
The estate runs its "Dalriada" season: a Tulip Festival in spring, a Highland Games in summer and a Christmas trail in winter. Worth timing a visit around one — check dates and book ahead where needed.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes — there's a tea room on site for lunch, tea and scones, and often a farm shop selling local produce.
Can I bring the dog?
The dog policy varies, so check the estate's current rules before you set off with your dog.
Getting there
Glenarm Castle, Glenarm, County Antrim, BT44 0BQ — on the edge of Glenarm village on the Antrim Coast Road, with parking on site.
Glenarm is said to be one of the oldest estates in Northern Ireland, the seat of the MacDonnell family — the Earls of Antrim — who have been rooted in this corner of the coast for centuries. The village of Glenarm grew up around the estate at the foot of the glen, and the castle you see through the trees today is the family's home, remodelled over the generations into the turreted country house that gives the place its skyline.
The great draw for visitors, though, is the walled garden — thought to be one of the oldest in Ireland — with its long mixed borders, a towering yew walk, a kitchen garden and glasshouses laid out inside the old estate walls. Add the estate and woodland walks, a tea room, a farm shop and the seasonal "Dalriada" events, and Glenarm makes a fine half-day on the Antrim Coast: a living, working garden and demesne you're free to wander, wrapped around a family home that has watched over this glen for a very long time.