Location: Ballyclare
Top Things to do in Ballyclare
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What to do and see in Ballyclare, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips
Ballyclare (from Irish Bealach Cláir, meaning 'pass of the plain') is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 18,441, including the surrounding townland, as of 2016. The town itself has a population of 9,919, according to the 2011 census. Under the reorganisation of Northern Ireland local government in 1973, Ballyclare lost its urban district status and became part of Newtownabbey borough. It is now part of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Restaurants in Ballyclare
1. The Spa Dunamoy
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
The Award winning 4 star Spa at Dunamoy is only 14 miles North from Central Belfast, but here you will find peace and tranquility in the heart of the rolling Co Antrim Countryside. The Spa features multiple treatment rooms, including the dual bath/massage suite, a 10m spa pool and solarium/ relaxation area. The Spa at Dunamoy is proud to be one of the few able to showcase award winning brand Elemis, featuring specially selected treatments from this leading luxury spa and skincare brand. These include signature facials, detox rituals and luxurious body massage, plus a well stocked shopping area for the perfect gift. Escape with friends or book a romantic getaway, either as a day spa customer or a resident in one of our beautiful stone cottages
Reviewed By Holidaydiane
We recently visited Dunamoy Spa for treatments that were part of a Christmas present. We would drive by Dunamoy frequently and had only ever heard good reports so were looking forward to our visit.
It has a lovely rural setting just outside Ballyclare. The windows in the pool area look over the fields. There is ample parking.
Whilst overall we enjoyed our outing the spa didn't live up to expectations. I had a facial. The room was as expected quite dark. I was happy to let the therapist decide what facial to do depending on my skin. She said she couldn't work out how to lower the bed and that she would ask someone else how to adjust the bed so she could get a better look at my skin. She left the room and came back a few minutes later. There was no mention or adjustment of the bed or any assessment of my skin she just started the treatment. The treatment was just ok. The scalp massage part of the treatment was poor. My hair was just being moved around my head. There was no pressure. My partner enjoyed his treatments. In fairness the treatments are very reasonably priced compared to most spas.
What really let this place down for me was the general maintenance and upkeep. Attention to fine detail is lacking. The ladies changing room was cold, one of the toilet seats was broken, there was a lot of mildew around the shower cubicles and paint peeling of the ceiling/walls. In the shampoo dispenser in the shower cubicle a new type of shampoo had been tipped in without cleaning the remnants of the previous out. The hairdryer only had one slow setting working. The scented reed diffusers had dried up with no scent.
The relaxation area looks over the beautiful country but there is a load of old tat lying just below the windows. Looks like it has been lying there for years. Again there is mould around the windows in the relaxation area and paint peeling above the pool. The steam room wasn't working on our visit. We appreciate these things can happen and when we mentioned it on leaving the deputy manager did apologize.
Overall this place has a lot of potential but unfortunately I don't think I will be back. I have posted some photos so decide for yourselves.
2. Borderline Combat Airsoft
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
The Adrenaline kicks in. Your heart is racing and your blood pumping, projectiles fly past your ears, a grenade explodes next to your foot. You lean precariously over an IED that you have to disarm before it detonates killing you and your team mates, meanwhile all around you the enemy are closing in. That's the thrill of Borderline Combat Airsoft!
Reviewed By Jeffhayes1970 - Ballyclare, United Kingdom
Rough around the edges, it could be better sign posted at the road, and when you enter the industrial estate, I've been taking my 12 year old son for a couple of months now, he loves it, great atmosphere for kids, brilliant value for money, it's obvious that the owner is spending money on the facility, so it can only get better, it's not perfect, but the kids love it, and that's what it's about
3. Ballyrobert Cottage Garden and Nursery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
A garden for plant lovers! The garden is an RHS partner garden designed and owned by a former associate of Belfast, Edinburgh, and Writtle Botanic Gardens. Only 11 miles from Belfast.
Reviewed By 511norma - Coleraine, United Kingdom
Only heard about this place lately, and the garden was as beautiful as described.
There is great variety of plants and some woodland paths.
A lovely little tea room provides tea, coffee and tray bakes and is run as a self-service - with honesty box!
A very homely atmosphere is further enhanced by the friendly and helpful staff.
4. War Years Remembered
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Mblair65 - Ballyclare, United Kingdom
An amazing collection of historical items, lovingly collected and on display.
From various wartime tea cups, clothing to weapons and vehicles.
Could easily spend a couple of hours, especially if one of the team are taking you round and talking you through everything.
Great for young and old.
Give them a ring and arrange a visit, you won't be disappointed.
5. Ballyclare Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By garytodd7 - Ballyclare, United Kingdom
This provides a great range of services, far more than borrowing books. There is free internet and computers. They offer training if you need it. They run many classes for children. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. It is a real Hub of the community.
6. Logwood Plant Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Ethanben
Go for coffee here every other week mum gets to look around plants and shop then we relax and have coffee and some lunch highchairs for baby's are great as the have high backs love this place staff friendly service great :)
7. Skelton's Racecar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Steveodo - Carrickfergus, United Kingdom
I visited again, and this time climbed aboard. The sculptor, Skelton Rainey, was very clever to make the car big enough for people to sit inside. Its more than something to look at, you can occupy it. This idea of scuptures you interact with can also be seen in his very ambitious piece Mayfly, in Glengormley. It is a fairly accurate recreation of a famous biplane, but it doubles as a kids' climbing frame. Ingenious.
I'd like to see Sketon's name added somewhere. It has been omitted from the display board at the site. The car itself could use a scrub - green stuff is starting to grow on parts of the outside.
8. Straid Fishery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Skarkreality
Well managed rainbow trout fishery offering some of the best top of the water trout fishing in the country. Staff always knowledgeable and helpful. Well worth an evening throw either from boat or bank side. Fish well conditioned and give a good account of themselves.
9. Horsetail Retreat Carp & Tench Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By 24101148 - Newtownabbey, United Kingdom
This was not too fish, Only too fine out what it would take to bring my son and his two son's my grandsons 9-6.
The man l met could not have been more helpful as long as l had the paper work the rest of the gear was on site that we would need, plus a good set up of a cafe. If we needed the boys looked after they could help with that. For reasons that don't matter WE could not take up the offer of help, the only down side for me was a bit out of the way but it is well sign posted but we were told that it was almost 90% that we would catch and net some thing. It was so relaxing in the area pity we could not go. GOOD LUCK
10. Nerf Works
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Blast your way to victory - At NERF Works Ballyclare!. The ultimate nerf birthday party experience for kids aged 6 and over! Let off steam in our Purpose built arena - the only official NERF site in Northern Ireland! With fully trained staff and catering on site. Also suitable for kids with special requirements. So achieve the impossible at Nerf Works - open 7 days a week at Green Road, Ballyclare. Book online now or find us on facebook. Because when it comes to parties - its nerf or nothing!
Reviewed By Yvonne M
We set of to a party at NERFWORKS NI and we had the best children's party I can remember
Made the party booking by phone which was made and explained really easy
Arrived at the party venue
Staff where absolutely brilliant with the kids
Food drinks and birthday cake where all quality
Thanks NERFWORKS NI
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