PrimeCarers
Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy

Companionship careMagherafelt

Days out in Magherafelt for an older parent

Five places in Magherafelt that make a good day out for an older parent, from Seamus Heaney HomePlace to Magherafelt town centre. 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 September 2026

Seamus Heaney HomePlace. Photo: 1TWO3Writer, CC0

Five days out across four towns

The best places to take an older parent in Magherafelt

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

Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy

Photo: 1TWO3Writer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Bellaghy

Seamus Heaney HomePlace

Seamus Heaney HomePlace is an arts and literary centre in Bellaghy, the village where the Nobel Prize winning poet grew up, with an exhibition on his life and poems told through recordings, photographs and objects. It also has a café, a shop and a theatre that hosts readings and concerts.

The exhibition is step free with a lift to both floors and seats throughout, there is an accessible toilet on each floor, Blue Badge spaces close to the building and a wheelchair can be provided.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Bellaghy

Springhill, Moneymore

Photo: HenryPho17, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Moneymore

Springhill

Springhill is a 17th century plantation house near Moneymore, home to the Lenox-Conyngham family for generations and now cared for by the National Trust. Visitors can see the family rooms, a costume collection, walled gardens and woodland walks.

The gardens and parkland are close to the house and car park, so a carer can plan a short walk and ask the National Trust in advance about the house tour and ground floor rooms.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free for National Trust members

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 Moneymore

Ballyronan Marina

Coast · Ballyronan

Ballyronan Marina

Ballyronan Marina is a Blue Flag marina and caravan park on the western shore of Lough Neagh, about five miles from Magherafelt. There is a viewing platform over the lough, and a wetland walk and eco trails lead through Ballyronan Wood.

The viewing platform over the water is close to the car park, so an older visitor can enjoy Lough Neagh 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 Ballyronan

Bellaghy Bawn, Bellaghy

Photo: Michael Spence, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Bellaghy

Bellaghy Bawn

Bellaghy Bawn is a fortified house and defensive wall built around 1619 by Sir Baptist Jones during the Plantation of Ulster. It stands at the edge of Bellaghy village, a short walk from Seamus Heaney HomePlace.

It is close to HomePlace, so it can be seen from outside as a short extra stop on the same trip.

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 Bellaghy

Magherafelt town centre, Magherafelt

Photo: Wax0nightmare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Magherafelt

Magherafelt town centre

Magherafelt is a plantation town laid out by the Salters' Company in the 1600s around a wide main street, now the busy shopping centre for the district. There are independent shops, cafés and bakeries along Broad Street and Rainey Street.

The main street is wide and fairly level with cafés close together, so a carer can plan a short walk and lunch.

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 Magherafelt

Regular groups and events in Magherafelt

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

  • Gardening · MagheraMaghera and District Gardening GroupA long-running local gardening group that meets for talks from invited speakers and organises visits to gardens. A carer can handle transport and seating so an older gardener keeps the monthly company and the practical tips.Details
  • Music · MagherafeltComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Magherafelt branchThe local branch of Comhaltas, the traditional music organisation whose branches run classes and sessions in Irish instruments, singing and dance. A carer can find out session times and go along with someone who played or sang years ago and would enjoy listening again.Details
  • Painting · MoneymoreMoneymore Art GroupA village art group whose members work in oils, acrylics and pastels and have exhibited their paintings at The Bridewell in Magherafelt. A carer can help with transport and setting up materials so someone keeps painting in company rather than alone.Details
  • Volunteering · MagherafeltMid Ulster Volunteer CentreThe volunteer centre, based in Magherafelt and Cookstown, matches people with local volunteering roles and supports them through the process. A carer can help with the forms and the AccessNI checks, and provide the lift to and from a regular shift.Details
  • Knitting · MagherafeltKnit and Natter at the local libraryLibraries NI runs free Knit and Natter sessions for adults who knit, crochet or cross stitch, with dates listed by branch on its website. A carer can check which nearby library is running one, carry the bag of wool and sit in for the chat.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Magherafelt

At a glance

The five 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
Seamus Heaney HomePlaceBellaghyhalf a dayPaid entryYesYesAsk
SpringhillMoneymorehalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Ballyronan MarinaBallyronanan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Bellaghy BawnBellaghyan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Magherafelt town centreMagherafeltan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Magherafelt

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

12345
  1. 1Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy
  2. 2Springhill, Moneymore
  3. 3Ballyronan Marina, Ballyronan
  4. 4Bellaghy Bawn, Bellaghy
  5. 5Magherafelt town centre, Magherafelt

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Magherafelt

Carers in Magherafelt charge £19 to £22 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 Magherafelt has the full figures.

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

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Magherafelt

Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Springhill in Moneymore, Ballyronan Marina in Ballyronan, Bellaghy Bawn in Bellaghy and Magherafelt town centre in Magherafelt. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Seamus Heaney HomePlace describes a step-free route. Seamus Heaney HomePlace has an accessible toilet. Seamus Heaney HomePlace lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Ballyronan Marina, Bellaghy Bawn and Magherafelt town centre. 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. 8 of the carers with a rate near Magherafelt drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Magherafelt 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 Magherafelt

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

Companionship care in the counties around Magherafelt

Days out in the areas around Magherafelt

Find a carer who could take them out in Magherafelt

See carers near Magherafelt 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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