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Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey

Companionship careNewtownabbey

Days out in Newtownabbey for an older parent

Five places in Newtownabbey that make a good day out for an older parent, from Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill to V36 and Valley Park. 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

Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill. Photo: Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0

Five days out across four towns

The best places to take an older parent in Newtownabbey

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, so check the others before you go. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey

Photo: Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Newtownabbey

Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill

Mossley Mill is a former flax spinning mill, now the council's headquarters, with a small museum telling the story of the mill workers and the thread they made. Theatre at the Mill in the same building puts on plays, concerts and matinees, and the mill pond and chimney sit outside.

AccessAble found step-free level access at the Theatre at the Mill entrance with a lowered section at the desk, so a museum visit and an afternoon show can be combined under one roof.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Museum free, theatre tickets paid

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Newtownabbey

Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Jordanstown

Photo: Mike Faherty, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Jordanstown

Jordanstown Loughshore Park

Jordanstown Loughshore Park sits on the shore of Belfast Lough on the Causeway Coastal Route, with open grass, a large play park and a shoreline path. A coffee house in the park is open daily.

The coffee house is in the park and the coastal path along the lough is a gentle walk, with Whiteabbey village's cafés a short distance away.

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 Jordanstown

Ballyrobert Gardens, Ballyrobert

Photo: Nigel Thompson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Ballyrobert

Ballyrobert Gardens

Ballyrobert Gardens is a privately created six acre garden on a 17th century farm near Ballyclare, with one of Northern Ireland's largest plant collections, a lake, orchard, meadows and woodland. It was named by the Guardian as one of the top ten secret gardens in the UK.

Lawns and borders are laid out close to the old cottage and barn, so the carer can enjoy the formal garden near the entrance without taking on the longer grass paths through the meadow.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

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 Ballyrobert

Sixmile Park, Ballyclare

Photo: Robert Ashby, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Ballyclare

Sixmile Park

Sixmile Park is a town park in Ballyclare with the Six Mile Water flowing through it, open lawns, meadowland, walkways and a play park. It links to the Sixmile Leisure Centre.

The park is in the middle of Ballyclare, so a short riverside stroll can be combined with a look round the town.

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 Ballyclare

V36 and Valley Park

Park · Newtownabbey

V36 and Valley Park

V36 is a linear civic park beside the Valley Leisure Centre with walking routes, public and community art, event spaces and a duck pond. It connects to the wider Valley Park.

A new car park off Church Road serves the park and the leisure centre next door has a café, so the carer can plan a short walk by 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 Newtownabbey

Regular groups and events in Newtownabbey

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

  • Cooking & Baking · BallyclareBallyclare Market for local produceThe council runs a regular market in Ballyclare's Market Square with food and produce stalls alongside general traders. A carer could take someone round to pick ingredients for a favourite recipe, then help with the lifting and chopping back in the kitchen.Details
  • Photography · NewtownabbeyMerville Newtownabbey Photographic ClubA local camera club with its own website, running a season of meetings and competitions for members of all levels. A carer could drive someone to meetings and help load images ready for club nights.Details
  • Sports · BallyclareBallyclare Comrades home matches at Dixon ParkBallyclare Comrades is the town's senior football club, playing home games at Dixon Park in the Northern Ireland leagues. A carer could take a long-standing supporter to a home match, arrive early for a seat under cover and leave before the crowd moves.Details
  • Sports · NewtownabbeyBowls at borough facilitiesAntrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council provides bowling facilities across the borough, a gentle game that suits older players. A carer can book a session, carry the woods and provide someone to play alongside.Details
  • Volunteering · NewtownabbeyVolunteers Week in the boroughThe council marks Volunteers Week each year, recognising local volunteers and pointing people towards groups that need help. A carer could use it as a low-pressure way in, going along to an event rather than committing to a role straight away.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Newtownabbey

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
Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the MillNewtownabbeyan hour or twoFree outside, paid insideYesAskAsk
Jordanstown Loughshore ParkJordanstownan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Ballyrobert GardensBallyrobertan hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Sixmile ParkBallyclarean hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
V36 and Valley ParkNewtownabbeyan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Newtownabbey

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

12345
  1. 1Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey
  2. 2Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Jordanstown
  3. 3Ballyrobert Gardens, Ballyrobert
  4. 4Sixmile Park, Ballyclare
  5. 5V36 and Valley Park, Newtownabbey

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Newtownabbey

Carers in Newtownabbey 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 Newtownabbey has the full figures.

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

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Newtownabbey

Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey, Jordanstown Loughshore Park in Jordanstown, Ballyrobert Gardens in Ballyrobert, Sixmile Park in Ballyclare and V36 and Valley Park in Newtownabbey. 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 Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill describes a step-free route. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Mossley Mill: Museum at the Mill and Theatre at the Mill (outside free, inside paid), Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Sixmile Park and V36 and Valley Park. 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. 9 of the carers with a rate near Newtownabbey drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Newtownabbey 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 Newtownabbey

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

Companionship care in the counties around Newtownabbey

Days out in the areas around Newtownabbey

Companionship care by town in Newtownabbey

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Newtownabbey

See carers near Newtownabbey 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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