Days Out NI
Park Newtownabbey

V36 Valley Park

Free Gulliver-themed adventure play, a skatepark and miles of valley paths

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Open dailyLinear park 6am-10pm daily; play area 9…
FreeNo charge
NewtownabbeyPark
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Two to three hours, more with a picnic and a walkHow long
Toddlers to about 10Best for
FreeEntry
FreeParking
OutdoorsSetting

V36 Valley Park — Free Gulliver-themed adventure play, a skatepark and miles of valley paths.

  • What's there: Gulliver-themed adventure play, Skate 100 skatepark, 3G pitch, walking routes, duck pond, picnic area.
  • Best for: Toddlers to about 10 for the play area; teens for the skatepark.
  • Cost: Free; the 3G pitch is paid by the hour if booked.
  • Parking: Free car park at the Church Road entrance; overflow at the leisure centre or O'Neill Road.
  • Toilets: Yes, in Valley Leisure Centre next door, including accessible toilets.
  • Dogs: On a lead in V36, banned from the play area and pitch; off-lead allowed in the upper Valley Park.
Plan your visit

Climbing frames, slides and a skatepark, all free

The adventure play area is the draw for younger kids. It is themed on Gulliver's Travels, so the trampolines, slides, climbing frames, bridges and musical panels are dressed up as a giant's world to explore. It suits toddlers through to about ten. Older kids and teens have Skate 100 right next to it, a 14,000 sq ft skatepark with ramps and bowls. There is a floodlit 3G pitch too if you want to book a kickabout, though that part is paid by the hour. Dogs must stay on a lead in V36 and are kept out of the play area and off the pitch.

Free Gulliver-themed adventure play Skatepark next door Café in the leisure centre Picnic area Free parking
Good to know before you go:

V36 was built with an outdoor performance and event space, and the borough council uses it for fun days, seasonal events and community gatherings through the year. Check what is on locally before you travel.

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; the 3G pitch is paid by the hour if booked
Opening
Linear park 6am-10pm daily; play area 9am-9pm Apr-Oct, 9am-dusk Nov-Mar
Best for ages
Toddlers to about 10 for the play area; teens for the skatepark
What's there
Gulliver-themed adventure play, Skate 100 skatepark, 3G pitch, walking routes, duck pond, picnic area
Toilets
Yes, in Valley Leisure Centre next door, including accessible toilets
Parking
Free car park at the Church Road entrance; overflow at the leisure centre or O'Neill Road
Dogs
On a lead in V36, banned from the play area and pitch; off-lead allowed in the upper Valley Park
Accessibility
Accessible toilets and facilities provided; level linear paths
How long to allow
Two to three hours, more with a picnic and a walk
Address
Church Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7LJ
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
Free; the 3G pitch is paid by the hour if booked
Is there parking?
Free car park at the Church Road entrance; overflow at the leisure centre or O'Neill Road
Are there toilets?
Yes, in Valley Leisure Centre next door, including accessible toilets
What ages is it best for?
Toddlers to about 10 for the play area; teens for the skatepark
Can we bring the dog?
On a lead in V36, banned from the play area and pitch; off-lead allowed in the upper Valley Park
Getting there

V36 Valley Park is at Church Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7LJ. Free car park at the Church Road entrance; overflow at the leisure centre or O'Neill Road. Tap below for turn-by-turn directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

About the park

V36 was created by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as a shared civic space in the Valley, built with £3.58 million of funding under the EU PEACE III Programme. The aim was to bring people from different backgrounds together through sport, recreation and art, which is why the site mixes a Gulliver's Travels adventure play area, a skatepark, a floodlit 3G pitch and an outdoor performance space.

It sits beside the Valley Leisure Centre on Church Road, with the older Valley Park and its duck pond, paths and open ground stretching above. Together they make one of Newtownabbey's main spots for a free family afternoon, indoors or out.