Top 7 Caravan Sites NI
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Northern Ireland is a popular (and fitting) destination for campers that like the beautiful outdoors. It’s a region not only rich in natural reserves, but also culture: often cited as a place that inspired great literary heroes. If you’re familiar with poet Seamus Heaney— or multi-instrumentalist Van Morrison— then you might’ve caught glimpses of their deep love for Northern Irish greenery. And it’s no mystery why! With sandy beaches to nestle in, quaint towns to mingle in and mountain peaks to climb, you might find yourself realising there is so much to explore. There are 2 UNESCO world heritage sites and other attractions dotted across Northern Ireland’s 6 counties. Where you park matters: especially at night! Wild camping is technically not legal in Northern Ireland, though overnight parking is allowed with the permission of a landowner. To avoid hassle, caravan sites offer campers rest zones and facilities to aid your wellbeing. Here are a select few.
If you are not a native of Northern Ireland, you may be considering hire a campervan to tour the North, not forgetting the laid back south of Ireland. We and help you compare campervan hire NI and offer you choice of rental pickup locations at Belfast, Larne, Derry/Londonderry City Airport. If arriving into the South then you can collect from Dublin downtown and Dublin Airport, Cork and Limerick (with McRent Ireland)
If you have your own motorhome or caravan, we recommend comparing insurance come renewal time. We can help with guides to Coast Caravan Insurance, Pennine, Gallagher and happy place caravan insurance to name a few.
1: Ballyness Caravan Park (Bushmills, Antrim)
This award-winning destination blankets the northern coast of County Antrim. It’s a five-star accommodation site that is suitable for all ages and types of campers. There, you can enjoy services such as free wifi, laundries and washrooms praised by attendees to be ‘spotless’. It’s also important to note that Ballyness Caravan Park is accessible to disabled people. It’s tranquil, affordable and regarded as a friendly environment.
Some could say Ballyness is located in the heart of Antrim; it’s a few minutes drive away from the Giant’s Causeway reserve, where 40,000 columns of basalt rocks coat the charming Antrim plateau. There is no better (and closer) way to admire the Atlantic Ocean’s waves. 10 minutes away from it resides Carrick-a-Rede, where you might’ve noticed was featured in Game of Thrones! The rope-bridge swings 30 metres above land and allows you to see Antrim’s coastline in bird’s eye view. Ballyness is also in close proximity to other man-made attractions, such as the Old Bushmill Distillery. Established in 1608, it’s the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world that offers tours to those interested!
2: Cushendall Caravan Park (Cushendall, Antrim)
Tucked in the east of Antrim, rests the peaceful Cushendall Caravan Park: a place where you get to see unspoilt nature. Its highlight is definitely the landscape, which shows you Scottish coastlines from afar. While admiring how picturesque the site is, you can also enjoy furnished pitches, laundry / showering facilities and water access. For solo campers or those travelling in large units, it might be helpful to know that this caravan park is pet-friendly.
Cushendall Caravan Park is about 1 km away from Glenariff Forest Park: a protected strip of land that conserves Cushendall’s waterfalls and woodland. There’s a lot of recreational activities to do down there, with horseback riding being a local favourite!
3: Castle Ward Caravan Park ( Strangford, Down)
If you’re looking for an upscale and luxurious site to relax in, look no further! Also known as a ‘glamping’ (glam camping experience), Castle Ward offers campers 35+ pitches to park in. And if you’re feeling fancy, they have sleeping pods for rent. With high-quality facilities to clean yourself (and clothes) in, Castle Ward also allows outdoor BBQs to take place.
Its location is right near Castle Ward, a National Trust building repurposed as a theatre with a restaurant inside. Back in 1760, it was where Lady Ann and Bernard Ward lived. While accessible now, it still keeps its antique feel with its Georgian architecture.
4: Edgewater Holiday Park (Downpatrick, Down)
Built on the edge of Dundrum Bay’s coastline, this caravan site attracts campers looking to relax by beautiful Northern Irish dune systems. It’s situated below the ruins of the Norman castle and shows dramatic seasonal contrasts the Irish outdoors offers. Pitches are spacious, offer many opportunities for water-based sports and is definitely a must-go for thrill-seekers.
Take a hike up the Mourne Mountains, made up of dazzling granite rocks. Alternatively, visit Tollymore National Outdoor Centre for outdoor fun such as rock-climbing, canoeing and bike riding. It’s truly a place where naturalists feel nurtured.
5: Castle Archdale Caravan Park (Enniskillen, Fermanagh)
In between the Lough Erne shores and Castle Archdale, stands this caravan park. Popular for its family-friendly and affordable experience, Castle Archdale Caravan Park is engulfed by forest land and humbling sights. The site is large in size and offers varying levels of luxury accommodations
Lusty Beg Island is a nearby attraction, where its inland lake sets the mood for an idyllic spa retreat. It’s upscale, self-catering and waiting to pamper campers in need of a beauty treatment.
6: Gosford Forest Park (Markethill, Armagh)
gives you great access to other counties such as Banbridge. There, you’d encounter many locals that use this park for cycling, outdoor picnics and kids having fun with their outdoor playgrounds. Gosford Forest Park is an excellent base for outdoor activities, exploration of flora and fauna, and exercise. You’re guaranteed a wholesome and down-to-earth experience! You’re also allowed on-site parking, access to toilets and showers, electricity to ensure you cosy up to the place. From there, you can spot the Old Stone Arch, which is over 200 years old.
7: Bellemont Caravan Park (Coleraine, Derry)
Hidden in the north coast of Ulster is a premier park known for its cleanliness, organisation and services. Bellemont Caravan Park has all the facilities you need, ranging from (heated) running water to laundry services. For little campers, there is a playground to have a blast in. It’s protected by security gates and has CCTV to ensure you— and other campers— are safe.
While there, consider visiting Castlerock Beach if beautiful basaltic cliffs intrigue you. Adjacent to the port village of Castlerock, the beach welcomes visitors to engage in some recreational activities.
Before you set out on your tour of the North, check if your touring caravan or trailer folding tent has sufficient insurance, most car insurance NI polices will only provide third party cover, so once it is unhitched any third party cover will cease. If you are in a campervan you will off course by law need campervan or NI motorhome insurance.
Insurance Quotes NI works in partnership with QuoteZone who provide a simple form which once completed is submitted to a specialist panel of brokers. The panel of brokers will provide multiple quotes. These quotes can then be tailored to your specific campervan or caravan insurance requirements.