Portrush Recreation Grounds

New kit, toddlers to teens

The 2023 rebuild put in a proper adventure play area: swings, slides, climbing frames and a zip line, with kit pitched at both little ones and bigger kids. Older children and teens get a low-level urban sports plaza and skate space, so nobody is stuck watching. Inclusive cycle pathways run through the grounds, and the design was built for all ages and abilities. There is a competition bowling green and a synthetic practice green here too, plus grassy slopes for picnics and running about between turns on the equipment.

Free Zip line Adventure play area Skate / urban sports plaza Sea views over East Strand Parking right beside it

Good to know before you go:

Portrush's seafront parks and the wider Causeway Coast host seasonal events through the year, from summer fun days to Halloween and Christmas happenings. Check what is on before you travel.

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.

Everything before you go

Cost

Free

Opening

Open daylight hours, year-round

Best for ages

Toddlers to teens; toddler-friendly kit plus a skate / urban sports plaza for older kids

What's there

Adventure play area (swings, slides, climbing frames, zip line), urban sports plaza, bowling greens, grassy slopes, sea views

Toilets

Yes, in the new pavilion, including a Changing Places facility; note there is no standard baby-changing

Parking

Parking right beside the playground, with designated disabled spaces

Dogs

Dogs welcome on lead; keep them out of the fenced play area

Accessibility

Pram and wheelchair friendly, inclusive cycle pathways, accessible pavilion with Changing Places toilet and disabled parking

How long to allow

1-2 hours at the park, half a day with the headland walk and East Strand

Address

Recreation Grounds, Ramore Head, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56

Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?

Free

Is there parking?

Parking right beside the playground, with designated disabled spaces

Are there toilets?

Yes, in the new pavilion, including a Changing Places facility; note there is no standard baby-changing

What ages is it best for?

Toddlers to teens; toddler-friendly kit plus a skate / urban sports plaza for older kids

Can we bring the dog?

Dogs welcome on lead; keep them out of the fenced play area

Getting there

Portrush Recreation Grounds is at Recreation Grounds, Ramore Head, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56. Parking right beside the playground, with designated disabled spaces. Tap below for turn-by-turn directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map

Nearby

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The story

About the park

Portrush has had recreation grounds on the Ramore headland for a century. The 3.74-hectare site was rebuilt in a £3.3m scheme that began in November 2021 and reopened to the public in 2023, timed to coincide with the centenary of the town's first Recreation Grounds.

It was the first project in Northern Ireland funded by the UK Levelling Up Fund to be completed, with £1.66m from that fund, £1.42m from the Department for Communities and £0.4m from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, which owns and runs the grounds. The rebuild added the adventure play area, the urban sports plaza, new bowling greens and the pavilion with its Changing Places toilet.