Carnfunnock Country Park facts for kids

Carnfunnock Country Park, 2004

Carnfunnock Country Park is a huge park, about 191 hectares, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. You can find it between Drains Bay and Ballygally, close to Larne. It's right on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, just a short drive north of Larne. This amazing park has lots of different trees, beautiful gardens, and cool walking paths. It also has a stunning coastline with wide views of the Antrim Coast and the North Channel. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council owns and runs this fun park.

What Can You Do at Carnfunnock?

Carnfunnock Country Park offers many exciting things to do all year round!

Fun Activities All Year Round

The park has a special walled garden. This garden is open every day and features unique sundials and cool wooden sculptures. There's also an outdoor adventure playground with a fun maritime theme. If you like golf, you can try the golf driving range and academy.

You can explore the park on its marked walking trails. There's even an orienteering course and a wildlife garden to discover. Public toilets and picnic spots are always available. The park's cafe is open on weekends throughout the year. Plus, a Parkrun happens every Saturday morning, if the ground is suitable.

Did you know that the 1st Carnfunnock Scouts group started here in October 2015? They are part of The Scout Association and meet regularly in the park.

Seasonal Fun and Events

From spring (around March/April) until autumn (October), even more attractions open up!

You can get lost in a fun maze shaped like Northern Ireland. There's a family fun zone with a miniature railway, a bouncy castle, and a bungee run. You can also try remote control boats and trucks, or bounce around in "WOW balls" and on bungee trampolines. There's an 18-hole mini golf course too!

For younger kids, there's a children's activity centre. It has a snack stop, face painting, glitter tattoos, and outdoor games like putting and table tennis. If you want to stay longer, there's a touring caravan park and campsite. You can also play on a 9-hole golf course or use the barbecue areas. The park has a modern visitor centre with a gift shop.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try "Have a Go Archery" on weekends from Easter to September. The park also hosts many events from Easter to October. These include band concerts in the Walled Garden amphitheatre every Sunday during June, July, and August.

Carnfunnock Maze

The maze at Carnfunnock is very special! It was designed after a competition in 1985. The winning idea was a hedge maze shaped exactly like Northern Ireland.

It has many paths and dead ends, but also seven central spaces. Each space represents one of the counties and one for Lough Neagh. The maze was planted in 1986 with over 1,500 mature hornbeam trees. By 1991, it was fully grown and officially opened. This opening celebrated Northern Ireland's part in the International Year of the Maze.

Images for kids

• 

  Garden

• 

  Ice house

• 

  Walkway

• 

  Gate

• 

  Sundial

• 

  View towards Larne