There are many fabulous beaches along the Causeway Coast including Ballycastle beach which is only 14 minutes by car from The Ferns and Whitepark Bay which is only 18 minutes. Here are some alternative places to consider to keep the young ones entertained whilst staying at The Ferns.

1. Cheeky Chimps

24c&d Northbrook Industrial Estate, Coleraine, BT52 2JB

• 24 minutes from The Ferns

• Let your kids enjoy a fun-filled adventure at Cheeky Chimps soft play while you relax with a coffee and delicious treat in the café area. Cheeky Chimps is a secure, clean and safe environment.

• Prices (at 18/08/2022):

        Two hours:

        1-4 years £3.80

        5-12 years £4.40

        Under 1’s free

For more information visit: https://cheekychimpscoleraine.com/

2. Rosepark Farm

98 Bravallen Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7DU

• 19 minutes from The Ferns

•  Rosepark Farm is a family-run attraction spread over 70 acres approximately 4 miles outside Ballymoney. It is a great place for families, educational, and group visits to suit all ages enabling visitors to connect with nature and interact with various animals and birds. It is spread over a mile and a half of beautiful wooded and rose walkways. The beautiful blue lagoon has been transformed into an inland beach where visitors can paddle and build sandcastles while enjoying the picturesque scenery.

• Open every day from Friday 1st July – Wednesday 31st August. Including all bank holidays.

        Monday – Saturday 11am-5pm

        Sunday 12-5pm

        Last entry each day is 4pm

        Last QUAD RIDE 4.45pm

• Café on site

• Prices (at 18/08/2022)

        (The Farm is CASH only!)

        Adults – £5

       Children – £5

       Under 2 FREE

       Quad Train – £2.00 per Barrell

       Animal Feed – 50p

For more information visit: http://www.roseparkfarm.co.uk 

3. Glenariff Forest Park

Glenariffe Rd, Ballymena BT44 0QX

•   30 minutes from The Ferns

•  Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, is one of the nine Antrim Glens in Northern Ireland. Glenariff Forest Park covers over 1,000 hectares with planted woodland, lakes, outdoor recreation spaces and conservation areas. It caters for many outdoor activities including walking, horse riding and touring. It has picnic and barbeque areas as well as a tea house.

• The Waterfall Walk Trail (3km) is a walk along the timber walkway (boardwalk) that winds through the glen and alongside the river gorge was first built about 100 years ago and has been carefully reconstructed to provide a spectacular walk.

• Further walking trails through the forest giving spectacular views and glimpses of wildlife include Rainbow Trail (0.6km), Scenic Trail (8.9km) and Viewpoint Trail (1km).

• Gift shop & café on site.

• Carpark cost £5 per car.

The forest is open daily for visitors on foot, 24 hours a day, but the car park gates are locked at night.  Gates open by 8.00 am daily and are locked at dusk.

For more information visit: Glenariff Forest Park | nidirect

4. Carnfunnock Country Park

182A Coast Road, Larne, BT40 2QG

•  55 minutes from The Ferns

• Carnfunnock Country Park is packed full of exciting and unusual attractions to see and do, with over 191 hectares of mixed woodland, colourful gardens, walking trails and coastline, not forgetting its spectacular panoramic views of the Antrim Coast and North Channel.

• Activities include:

        Carnfunnock Maze

        Adventure Playground

       ‘Facetastic’ Face Painting

       Driving Range

       Miniature Railway

       18 Hole Mini-Golf

       Bungee Trampolines

       Walk on Water Balls

      Bouncy Castle

      Remote Control Trucks

      Remote Control Boats

      Carousel

There is a charge for some activities and prices can vary depending on the activity or £10 child explorer passes can be purchased.

• Opening Hours:

March to June (Saturday & Sunday) 11am – 5pm

July & August (Monday to Sunday) 11am – 5pm

September to October (Saturday & Sunday) 12pm – 4pm

Bank & Public Holidays (Everyday) 11am – 5pm

• Café on site

For more information visit: https://carnfunnock.com/

5. Glenarm Castle

2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT44 0BQ

 

• 47 minutes from The Ferns

• Glenarm Castle is one of few country estates that remains privately owned but open to the public. It is steeped in a wealth of history, culture and heritage and attracts over 100,000 visitors annually from all over the world.

• Visitors can enjoy enchanted walks through the Walled Garden and Castle Trail, indulge in an amazing lunch in the Tea Room, purchase some local produce or official merchandise, or browse through a wide range of ladies & gents fashions and accessories and a selection of beautiful gifts, souvenirs and crafts in the Byre Shop and Shambles Workshop – with many ranges exclusive to Glenarm Castle.

• Mini Land Rover Experience – Let the kids take control of the driving seat in one of the first off-road Mini Land Rover adventure courses in Northern Ireland. The driving course is specifically designed for the Mini Land Rovers, creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

• Price: £25 for 45 minutes. Booking recommended. Ages: 3 years and over.

• Opening times 9am – 5pm

• Prices:

        Walled Garden and woodland walk:

        Adults £10

        Youth (4 – 17) £5

        Child (0 – 3) free

        Concession £8.50

For more information visit: https://glenarmcastle.com/