The next place on my travels is a place I have driven by numerous time, knew was there, but have never actually went in the gate.

Just off the main road in Antrim town, behind the hedges and stone wall lies beautiful castle gardens and grounds perfect for a few hours to walk around and while away a few hours. As you drive through the main gates a hedge lined avenue hides the main visitor centre and tea rooms from view until you turn the gate. 

As we walk through the lovingly restored stone archway, a colourful courtyard awaits (definitely best viewed in the summertime when all is in full bloom) plants and flowers fill the area and make it a bright start to our journey of discovery. 

Through another stone archway and aha…. Café on the left!!!! Let’s go!!! Straight in for a drink and a sausage roll (they are hard to resist) after filling up, we take a quick look at the map and head off. The trees that line every avenue give you feeling you really are a million miles away on some country estate when in reality you are just at the edge of town, beside a main road. We headed towards the main attraction of the gardens the actual ruins of Antrim castle, and to where it once stood. One tower remains and has been restored to all its glory. The outline of the castle is cunningly laid out as well, but can only really be truly appreciated with a gently climb of the nearby lookout hill.

 

Some of the stone carving that once decorated the castle have also been remade and form a centre piece for the area. Aft reading about the history of the castle we venture on to the avenue walk, which with the high trees gives you a feeling of being well and truly off the beaten track. 

Also hidden away inside the castle grounds are a couple of simple yet elegant water features which reward the short walk .2 canals are also hidden by tall well-manicured hedges, a perfect haven for the local ducks. There is also a walk from the castle gardens down towards lough Neagh which today alas we did not tackle, must have been the sausage rolls. The walk in only 15 mins and I’m sure is well worth it.

 Also hidden away there is a classical walled garden complete with its own stage, again best viewed when all the flowers are in full bloom, there is every colour under the sun, all kept in by box hedging and would definitely tick all the boxes for any budding gardening or seasoned professional.

 All in all Antrim castle gardens was well worth the pulling the car off the main road and in through the gate, and best of all, ITS FREE!!!!!!