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Activities Around Ballymena | |
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Take a break from cycling …. Enjoy activities in the Ballymena District A warm welcome awaits all visitors to Ballymena. Less than 40 minutes drive from Belfast, Ballymena is a bustling modern town which offers superb sight seeing, shopping and entertainment. The surrounding countryside is punctuated with many picturesque towns and villages. There is something for all the family to enjoy. Where ever you visit and who ever you meet when you get there, one thing is for sure; you’ll experience a warmth, charm and sense of humour that is unique to this part of the world. Gently rolling countryside may dominate this region, but within it nestles a heady and contrasting mix of exciting places to see and visit. Quaint villages provide a taste of traditional rural life, while Ballymena has all the buzz of a fast-moving city scene. Visitors enjoy the traditional treats from the local eateries as much as the sophisticated gourmet cuisine of award-winning restaurants and hotels. Take a trip back in time and explore some of the area’s historic sites or have a glimpse of the future at state-of-the-art venues and attractions. What can you do in Ballymena? Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask what can’t you do in Ballymena? The area offers a greater range of outdoor pursuits and leisure activities than anywhere else in Northern Ireland. For those who would rather sit back, relax and spectate than participate – there are events, theatres, cinemas and spectator sports. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
The People’s Park is a haven for wildflowers, wildlife and residents in the heart of Ballymena. The beautifully mature setting, which was donated to the town by the Adair Family in 1870, extends for twelve acres around a lake. With a dedicated children's playground, toddler area, floodlit tennis courts, bowling green and picnic areas, it represents the perfect location for a family day out. A central pavilion offers a focal point where parents can relax while their children can feed the ducks and swans from the spacious decking around the edge of the dam. Parent and baby facilities, male and female toilets, and changing rooms for tennis ensure creature comforts in a heart of nature. Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre ecos island and nature reserve is the ideal location for a family day out. The site successfully combines family entertainment with environmental education. Giant litter bugs and nature trails will help children understand the importance of recycling and looking after our environment, while other activities include electric bikes, remote controlled boats, toy tractors and diggers, play park and a sand pit. For those who prefer a more leisurely day out, there are extensive walks and cycle paths through the developing woodland of the nature reserve and by the riverside. All routes are wheelchair friendly. Entry to ecos island is free of charge. The award winning Seven Towers Leisure Centre lies in the heart of Ballymena, and provides a range of indoor sports and fitness facilities. As one of Northern Ireland’s largest sports and leisure complexes, it offers three swimming pools and water slides, a major sports hall, fitness and health suites, squash courts and café. Newferry - Situated on the banks of the Lower Bann this facility is an excellent venue for water sports with on-site Bar-b-que and picnicing facilities. If you wish to register a boat please contact Ballymena Tourist Information Centre on 02825 63 8494.
Ballymena is an area of contrasts, and no where is this more evident than in the shopping experience. High street brands and chain stores are common place but many visitors and local people still frequent and favour the long established family run boutiques. Bursting with character and bustling with customers, these traditional outlets are part and parcel of the shopping experience in Ballymena. You can be assured of a warm welcome, excellent service and array of weird and wonderful merchandise!
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Portglenone Marina - Portglenone Marina is situated off the Gortgole Road on the banks of the river Bann. In addition to the 18 serviced floating pontoons, the facility provides a trailer park, slipway, rigging area, car parks and picnic areas overlooking the river. There is also a community centre on site and a football pitch. Closed circuit television and floodlights are also in operation at the site.