Newtownabbey: Discover Coast, Nature and Culture

Newtownabbey combines the shores of Belfast Lough with nature reserves, historic houses, culture and a wide range of leisure activities. Those looking for holiday accommodation for a varied trip can combine active days by the water, walks, cultural discoveries or shared family activities here, depending on their interests.

Trails and Landscapes along Belfast Lough

Hazelbank Park is located on the shore of Belfast Lough. From here, the National Cycle Way connects the park with Belfast; the route follows the shore as far as the Lagan Towpath. Jordanstown Loughshore Park is also situated on Belfast Lough and the Causeway Coastal Route. A coastal path connects it with Hazelbank Park, Belfast and Lisburn. This provides a range of options if you would like to plan a stay involving walks or cycling tours.

For walking, Carnmoney Hill offers more than 5 km of paths. There are easy paths on the lower slopes, while steep climbs open up views across the town and the surrounding landscape. The hill was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1996. Monkstown Wood received this designation in 2007. It offers a gentle walk suitable for people of all abilities. Access is via Monkstown Road from Doagh Road; parking is available there.

Another option for active days is the Newtownabbey Way. It runs from Global Point at Corr’s Corner to Belfast Lough and is linked to NCN cycle route 93. The route passes through Mossley Mill, Three Mile Water Park and Monkstown Wood, then continues through Glen Park near Whiteabbey Village. This allows you to plan a stay combining a variety of landscapes and trail experiences without committing to just one activity.

Culture among Mills, Houses and History

The Theatre at The Mill is located in the restored Mossley Mill. The site began as a flax mill in 1834. The theatre programme includes musicals, dance, drama, comedy, concerts, family shows and workshops. This makes Mossley Mill a destination for travellers who want to combine days in nature with a cultural evening or event.

The White House dates from 1569 and is located on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Two interactive exhibitions explore different historical subjects: “A Tale of Three Kings” examines the Williamite and Jacobite Wars from a European perspective, while “Relive the History” traces the history of the building through to the present day. Sentry Hill is a 19th-century farmhouse in the parish of Carnmoney. The house and its contents provide an insight into rural life in Ulster in the 19th and early 20th centuries; guided tours are also available.

Leisure Ideas for Different Age Groups

Lilian Bland Community Park offers bowling, tennis courts, an outdoor fitness area, a playground and space for picnics and ball games. A sculpture there commemorates Lilian Bland (1878–1971), who is considered the first woman to build and fly an aeroplane. V36 has a floodlit third-generation sports pitch for football, rugby and Gaelic sports. The associated civic linear park includes scenic walking paths as well as public and community art installations.

For activities independent of the weather or simply for fun, Glengormley Sportsbowl offers 16 tenpin bowling lanes. Kidz Kartz also provides indoor karting on a fully enclosed track. Newtownabbey Footgolf combines football and golf; no clubs or lessons are required. Skate 100 features a 10-foot-deep bowl, ledges, stairs, banks and volcano elements and is suitable for skateboards, scooters, inline skates, parkour and BMX freestyle. In the Coronation Garden at Hazelbank Park, there is a musical display every 15 minutes featuring dancing topiary and rotating conical trees.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Trip?

When choosing accommodation in Newtownabbey, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip in advance. Those who want to spend as much time as possible on trails and along the shores can take the information about Hazelbank Park, Jordanstown Loughshore Park and the connecting routes into account. For those interested in culture, Mossley Mill, The White House and Sentry Hill are the main attractions. Families or mixed groups can also include parks, bowling, karting, footgolf or Skate 100 in their plans. This allows the search for a holiday apartment or holiday house to be tailored to the desired daily activities, without the accommodation itself needing to have specific features.

If you would like to compare Newtownabbey with other destinations, you can find Larne, Ballymoney, Templepatrick, Antrim, Carnlough, Dunadry, Crumlin and Cushendall here.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Antrim.