Days Out NI
Play Park Carrickfergus

Marine Gardens Play Park

Free seafront play park with a pirate ship, a zip wire and the castle in view.

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Open dailyDawn to dusk, seven days a week.
FreeNo charge
CarrickfergusPlay Park
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An hourHow long
Toddlers up to about 12Best for
FreeEntry
FreeParking
OutdoorsSetting

Marine Gardens Play Park — Free seafront play park with a pirate ship, a zip wire and the castle in view.

  • What's there: Ship play structure, zip wire, climbing frames and nets, slides, swings, nest swing, balance beams, sensory and inclusive equipment.
  • Best for: Toddlers up to about 12.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Parking: Free, small lot by the playground and accessible bays at Carrickfergus Castle car park nearby.
  • Toilets: Yes, accessible toilets with baby-changing, plus a Changing Places unit with hoist and height-adjustable table.
  • Dogs: Dog-friendly around the gardens and promenade.
Plan your visit

A ship to climb, a zip wire to ride

The play-ship is the star, a replica of the schooner The Result with decks and rope bridges to scramble over. Around it you get a zip wire, climbing frames and nets, slides, swings, a nest swing and balance beams. The 2024 refit brought in inclusive swings and sensory play, so children of all abilities can join in, all set on soft safety surfacing. There is gear pitched at toddlers and gear that keeps five to twelve year olds busy, so siblings of different ages are sorted in the one spot.

Free Pirate / ship play structure Zip wire Toddler area Inclusive equipment Cafe on site
Good to know before you go:

Carrickfergus seafront hosts seasonal events through the year, from summer fun days to Halloween and Christmas happenings along the front and at the castle. Check what's on before you travel so you can time your visit with the bigger family days.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧥LayersOutdoor play — a coat or spare jumper covers every kind of weather.
  • 💧Water & snacksKeeps the energy up between climbs and runs about.
  • 🧻Wipes & hand gelFor sandy, muddy, ice-cream-covered hands.
  • 🛴Scooter or ballLots of flat path and green space to burn off more energy.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free.
Opening
Dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Best for ages
Toddlers up to about 12.
What's there
Ship play structure, zip wire, climbing frames and nets, slides, swings, nest swing, balance beams, sensory and inclusive equipment.
Toilets
Yes, accessible toilets with baby-changing, plus a Changing Places unit with hoist and height-adjustable table.
Parking
Free, small lot by the playground and accessible bays at Carrickfergus Castle car park nearby.
Dogs
Dog-friendly around the gardens and promenade.
Accessibility
Paved accessible paths, inclusive play equipment, soft surfacing and a Changing Places facility.
How long to allow
An hour at the park, half a day with the promenade and cafe.
Address
Marine Gardens, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus BT38.
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
Free.
Is there parking?
Free, small lot by the playground and accessible bays at Carrickfergus Castle car park nearby.
Are there toilets?
Yes, accessible toilets with baby-changing, plus a Changing Places unit with hoist and height-adjustable table.
What ages is it best for?
Toddlers up to about 12.
Can we bring the dog?
Dog-friendly around the gardens and promenade.
Getting there

Marine Gardens Play Park is at Marine Gardens, Marine Highway, Carrickfergus BT38.. Free, small lot by the playground and accessible bays at Carrickfergus Castle car park nearby. Tap below for turn-by-turn directions.

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Nearby

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The story

About the park

Marine Gardens sits on the Carrickfergus seafront beside the marina, looking across Belfast Lough with Carrickfergus Castle in view. The gardens hold the playground, a memorial area and open green space, linked by paved paths and planting that runs down to the promenade.

The play-ship at its heart is a tribute to The Result, the last schooner built in Carrickfergus, launched in 1893. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council reopened the refurbished park in June 2024, adding inclusive and sensory play, Nike Grind safety surfacing and a £30,000 Changing Places unit funded through the Department for Communities Access and Inclusion Fund.