Antrim Castle Gardens & Clotworthy House |
Antrim Borough Council is proud to present a new era at Antrim Castle Gardens; one of the most unique and historically intact gardens in the UK and throughout Ireland. An exciting programme of events will take place throughout the year.
The Gardens and Clotworthy complex offer a beautiful location close to Antrim town centre for a stroll, a coffee or the opportunity to experience a variety of exhibitions. The Gardens are a complex living museum containing over four centuries of culture and heritage alongside remnants of the Masereene family dynasty. The original location of Antrim Castle has now been integrated within the wider garden landscape in a contemporary and innovative way.
 Clotworthy House and the surrounding complex of buildings provide a range of facilities that support garden heritage and the arts including:
- - Spaces for community gardening and landscape design
- - Large Parterre Pavilion - an outdoor classroom and covered activity area
- - The Oriel Gallery for fine and applied art exhibitions
- - Workshop areas for creative learning
- - The Eyre Studio for community music activities
The Oriel Gallery
A new state of the art gallery has been created in the former Long Barn and features a year round programme of exhibitions.
 Garden Heritage Exhibition
This display, within Clotworthy House, details the history of the gardens and tells the story of the Massereene family and how their lives intertwined with the development of Antrim town and the surrounding area. The display is illustrated by a range of archive materials, some of which have never been on public display before.
Eyre Studio
The Eyre Studio features a ‘Nature Roof’ covered in sedum. This innovative roof design improves air quality in the immediate environment and also helps to insulate the building, reduces heat loss and provides an interesting solution for improving the acoustic qualities of the interior studio space.
 The Garden Coffee Shop
The visitor experience at Clotworthy House has been enhanced by a new, on-site coffee shop operated by our catering partner, Castle Catering Ltd. The coffee shop is open daily serving quality refreshments, snacks and meals. Indoor seating is available for up to 60 people and during the summer months outdoor seating is provided in the adjacent courtyard area. Bespoke hospitality can be booked for conferences, weddings, events and private functions.
 Visitor Gift Shop
With the focus on gardening, our shop stocks a range of exciting gifts from homeware to jewellery, greetings cards and publications. We also stock books on garden history, design, heritage plants and pioneer gardens. The shop maintains the Council's standards on sourcing Fairtrade products and also supports local producers, craft makers and organic growers.
Hire of Facilities at Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House
A range of individual rooms for conferencing, meetings, workshops and events are avilable for hire at reasonable rates. A number of outdoor spaces including the inner courtyard, events field and the Large Parterre are also available to hire for special events.
 Civil Wedding Ceremonies
The Oriel Gallery and Massereene Room at Clotworthy House have been approved for civil wedding ceremonies. For enquiries on civil ceremonies please contact the Registrar T. 028 9446 1315.
.jpg) Environmental Sustainability
At Antrim Castle Gardens clean air and green fingers go hand in hand! A number of innovative design elements contributing to environmental and ecological sustainability have been incorporated:
- Use of a Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS) on the main and peripheral car parks
- Nature roof on the Eyre Studio to improve air quality around the building and reduce airborne pollutants
- Measures to protect wildlife species and their habitats including the integration of swift nesting boxes and bat roosts
within buildings
- Rainwater harvesting from building structures for re-use in garden irrigation
- Use of biomass energy for heating systems, reducing harmful CO2 emissions
Accessibility
There is level access throughout Clotworthy House. The building complex features lifts to all first floor areas, accessible toilets including a new 'Changing Places' facility, dedicated disabled parking bays and baby changing facilities. Measures have been taken in the garden to improve access throughout the path network.
For visitors, local, national and international, Antrim Castle Gardens is a destination like no other which is sure to be a firm favourite in a short space of time.
Open daily except 1 January, 12 July, 25 & 26 December and 31 December
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
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Tuesday & Thursday
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Saturday & Sunday
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9.30am - 5.00pm
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9.30am - 9.30pm
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10am - 5pm
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The Garden Coffee Shop is open from 9am daily.
Admission: Free access to Gardens.
T: 028 9448 1338
E: culture@antrim.gov.uk
Work may be ongoing in the Gardens during early 2013 restricting access to some areas including those that may be in use for private bookings. Dogs on leads and cyclists are welcome with the exception of the Large Parterre, Ancient Motte and Her Ladyship's Pleasure Garden.
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