Glenariff Forest Park, Glenarm Castle, and the wild Garron Plateau all sit within a short drive.
Most of the best things here cost nothing — the beaches, the castle gardens, the wildlife walks. If you want to get on the water, Carnlough Bay Boat Tours is the local option. Pack for weather: the outdoors is the main draw.
The best days out near Carnlough
Carnlough Beach
Carnlough Bay Boat Tours
Cranny Falls
Straidkilly Nature Reserve
Garron Plateau
Glenarm Castle Land Rover Experience
Glenarm Beach
Glenarm Castle & Walled Garden
Garron Point
Glenariff Coastal Walk
Glenariff Forest Park
Red Bay Castle
Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club
Waterfoot / Red Bay Beach
Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar
Curfew Tower
Cushendall Golf Club
Glens of Antrim Distillery
Cushendall Beach
Layd Old Church
Knockdhu Promontory Fort
Cairncastle / Knock Dhu (GoT — Ned Stark execution)
Skerry Church Yard
Ballygally Beach
A Scenic Sauna
Ballygally Shore Dive Site
Slemish Mountain
Sallagh Braes (GoT — Brother Ray's Septry)
Shillanavogy Valley (GoT — Dothraki Grasslands)
Killylane Reservoir Stargazing Site
Carnfunnock Country Park
Cushendun Caves
Cushendun Beach
Cushendun Coastal Snorkel Site
Cairndhu Golf Club
Glendun Viaduct
Carra Castle
What's on near Carnlough
- 1AugHeart of the Glens FestivalCushendall
- 2AugGet Wet Stay Safe - Swim Safety TrainingCushendun
- 5AugJunior Storytime — Cushendall LibraryCushendall Library
- 5AugWalled GardensGlenarm Castle
- 5AugDog ParkGlenarm Castle
- 5AugUplift Performing Arts — LarneLarne
Days out in Carnlough — your questions
What are the best days out in Carnlough?
Carnlough Beach is a great starting point — free, right in the village, and easy with kids. Glenariff Forest Park is the go-to for a proper walk through the Glens. Glenarm Castle & Walled Garden is free to visit. Game of Thrones fans should head to Cushendun Caves or Cairncastle.
What free things are there to do in Carnlough?
Quite a lot. Carnlough Beach costs nothing. Glenarm Castle & Walled Garden is free to walk around. Garron Plateau and Straidkilly Nature Reserve are open-access for wildlife watching. The Glenariff Coastal Walk follows the shoreline at no cost. Cushendun Caves and the Cairncastle Game of Thrones site are both free too.
Where can you go on a rainy day near Carnlough?
Rainy-day indoor options are honestly limited here — this part of the coast is all about the outdoors. Glens of Antrim Distillery is a proper indoor visit. Johnny Joe's McCollam's Bar in Cushendall has free live music and a roof over your head. Beyond that, Glenariff Forest Park and Cushendun Caves are worth a wet walk.
What's good for young children near Carnlough?
Carnlough Beach is ideal — easy to reach, free, and right in the village. Glenarm Beach is another calm coastal option a short drive away. Glenariff Forest Park has easy trails with plenty to keep little ones entertained. The walled garden at Glenarm Castle & Walled Garden is a lovely enclosed space for younger kids.