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Wallace Park, Lisburn

Companionship careLisburn

Days out in Lisburn for an older parent

Eight places in Lisburn that make a good day out for an older parent, from Castle Gardens to RSPB Portmore Lough. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Wallace Park. Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0

Eight days out across four towns

The best places to take an older parent in Lisburn

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one confirms an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Castle Gardens

Garden · Lisburn

Castle Gardens

Castle Gardens is the site of Lisburn's 17th-century castle, a fortified manor house built by the Conway family, with restored Victorian upper gardens and 17th-century terraces. It was given to the people of Lisburn in 1903 and is a quiet green space in the city centre.

It is right in the middle of Lisburn beside the museum, so a carer can combine the two and find a bench in the formal gardens for a rest.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Lisburn

Wallace Park, Lisburn

Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Lisburn

Wallace Park

Wallace Park is a Victorian park in Lisburn, left to the town by Sir Richard Wallace, with a restored duck pond that began life as the 17th-century town reservoir and a Victorian bandstand. Mature trees line its paths.

The roads and paths were resurfaced and new seating added in the recent refurbishment, so a carer can plan a gentle walk around the duck pond.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Lisburn

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Hillsborough

Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Hillsborough

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hillsborough Castle is the royal residence in Northern Ireland, a Georgian house whose State Rooms have seen important moments in British and Irish history. Around it are 100 acres of gardens with waterways, glens and woodland walks.

There are toilets for disabled visitors, free parking with spaces for disabled visitors and places to eat, and opening days vary through the year, so check before setting off.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Hillsborough

Hillsborough Forest

Nature reserve · Hillsborough

Hillsborough Forest

Hillsborough Forest covers almost 200 acres around a lake a few minutes' walk from Hillsborough Castle, with waymarked trails, a wildlife sanctuary for swans and ducks and a digital sculpture trail. There are lakeside viewpoints and picnic benches.

The trails are relatively flat with wide paths and seats along the way, some at lakeside viewpoints, and the one short steep hill to the Fox Fort rath can be skipped.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Hillsborough

Hillsborough Fort, Hillsborough

Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Hillsborough

Hillsborough Fort

Hillsborough Fort is an artillery fort built in 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill to guard the road from Carrickfergus to Dublin, later remodelled in the 18th century as a place for feasts. It stands in parkland beside Hillsborough Forest.

It is free to visit and sits next to the forest car park, so a carer can combine a look at the fort with a short walk by the lake.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, parking charges may apply

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Hillsborough

Moira Demesne, Moira

Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Moira

Moira Demesne

Moira Demesne is more than 40 acres of parkland just off the Main Street of Moira, with walkways, picnic spots and old horse chestnut, oak and beech trees. It is a quiet escape from the busy village.

It is right beside the village off Main Street, so a carer can plan a short stroll under the old trees and a picnic without a long walk.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Moira

Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath

Nature reserve · Lisburn

Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath

The Lagan towpath follows the River Lagan between Lisburn and Belfast through meadows, woodland and parkland, past the tall Ballyskeagh High Bridge and old lock keepers' cottages. Moorhens, mallards and grebes are often seen on the river.

The towpath is a riverside route, so a carer can choose a short out-and-back stretch from one of the access points and turn round when needed.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Lisburn

RSPB Portmore Lough

Nature reserve · Aghalee

RSPB Portmore Lough

Portmore Lough is an RSPB wetland reserve near Lough Neagh, with open water, reedbed and wet grassland where lapwings, snipe and terns breed. In autumn and winter, whooper swans and greylag geese arrive from Iceland.

The nature trail path is all-weather and suitable for pushchairs, and the hide has seating and low viewing slots, which makes birdwatching comfortable.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Aghalee

Regular groups and events in Lisburn

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Lisburn.

  • Cooking & Baking · MoiraMoira Speciality Food FairAn annual food fair in Moira village bringing together local producers, tastings and cookery demonstrations. A carer can go early when it is quieter, carry the bags and help choose ingredients to cook together at home.Details
  • Dancing · LisburnTea dance in LisburnA tea dance with live music organised locally in Lisburn, mixing old time and ballroom favourites with refreshments. A carer can come along as a partner or simply sit with a cup of tea between dances.Details
  • Photography · LisburnRaw Photographic ClubA friendly photography club in Lisburn that meets on the first Tuesday of each month and runs a monthly set-subject competition. A carer can help with transport to club nights and with uploading photographs for the competition.Details
  • Painting · LisburnClasses and workshops at Island Arts CentreThe arts centre in Lisburn runs a termly programme of adult classes and workshops, including visual art and craft sessions. A carer can book a place, bring the materials and stay nearby during the session.Details
  • Painting · LisburnWellbeing art workshops in Lisburn librariesLisburn City Library has hosted relaxed drawing and painting workshops with one-to-one guidance and materials provided. A carer can check the current library programme and go along with an older person who would rather not start alone.Details
  • Sports · LisburnWalking football sessions around LisburnA listing of regular walking football sessions in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area, with times and venues for over 50s groups. A carer can ring ahead to check a session suits and go along for the first week.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Lisburn

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Castle GardensLisburnan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Wallace ParkLisburnan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Hillsborough Castle and GardensHillsboroughhalf a dayPaid entryAskYesYes
Hillsborough ForestHillsboroughan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Hillsborough FortHillsboroughan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Moira DemesneMoiraan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Lagan Valley Regional Park TowpathLisburnan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
RSPB Portmore LoughAghaleean hour or twoCheck pricesPartlyAskAsk

Where the places are in Lisburn

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678
  1. 1Castle Gardens, Lisburn
  2. 2Wallace Park, Lisburn
  3. 3Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Hillsborough
  4. 4Hillsborough Forest, Hillsborough
  5. 5Hillsborough Fort, Hillsborough
  6. 6Moira Demesne, Moira
  7. 7Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath, Lisburn
  8. 8RSPB Portmore Lough, Aghalee

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Lisburn

Carers in Lisburn charge £19 to £21 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Lisburn has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Lisburn

Castle Gardens in Lisburn, Wallace Park in Lisburn, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Hillsborough, Hillsborough Forest in Hillsborough, Hillsborough Fort in Hillsborough, Moira Demesne in Moira, Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath in Lisburn and RSPB Portmore Lough in Aghalee. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has an accessible toilet. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Castle Gardens, Wallace Park, Hillsborough Forest, Hillsborough Fort, Moira Demesne and Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 11 of the carers with a rate near Lisburn drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Lisburn shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Lisburn

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Lisburn

Days out in the areas around Lisburn

Find a carer who could take them out in Lisburn

See carers near Lisburn who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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