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Giant's Ring, Ballynahatty

Companionship careCastlereagh

Days out in Castlereagh for an older parent

Four places in Castlereagh that make a good day out for an older parent, from Giant's Ring to Belvoir Park Forest. 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

Giant's Ring. Photo: robertpaulyoung, CC BY 2.0

Four days out across three towns

The best places to take an older parent in Castlereagh

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Giant's Ring, Ballynahatty

Photo: robertpaulyoung, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Ballynahatty

Giant's Ring

The Giant's Ring is a huge circular earthwork about 200 metres across, built around 2700 BC, with a stone tomb of five upright stones and a capstone at its centre. It is one of the finest henge monuments in Britain and Ireland and is free to visit.

A small car park sits beside the monument and the inside of the ring is open grass, so an older visitor can see the tomb and the banks 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 Ballynahatty

Moat Park

Park · Dundonald

Moat Park

Moat Park in the centre of Dundonald is built around a large Norman motte raised in the 12th century, with walks around its base and St Elizabeth's Church close by. The park also has a wildlife garden, a commemorative garden and a fairy trail.

The park links straight to the shops in Dundonald village and is open daily with no charge, so a carer can plan a short loop with a café stop nearby.

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 Dundonald

Comber Greenway

Park · Dundonald

Comber Greenway

The Comber Greenway is a traffic-free path along the old Belfast to Comber railway line, passing Dundonald on its way out into open countryside. It is used by walkers and cyclists and has views towards Scrabo Tower.

The path has been widened to four metres, has a smooth surface and is relatively flat, so it suits a wheelchair or a slow walk for as long or short a stretch as 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 Dundonald

Belvoir Park Forest

Nature reserve · Newtownbreda

Belvoir Park Forest

Belvoir Park Forest is a working forest beside the River Lagan, on the old estate of the Hill family, with a Norman motte, old farm buildings and woodland where red squirrels can be seen. Several waymarked trails start and finish at the forest car park.

All the trails begin at the car park, so a carer can choose the shortest loop and head back whenever a rest is 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 Newtownbreda

Regular groups and events in Castlereagh

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

  • Cooking & Baking · CarryduffCarryduff Christmas MarketAn annual council-run Christmas market in Carryduff with street food and local stalls that draws thousands of local people. A carer can go along at a quieter hour early on, find a seat, and pick up ingredients or treats for Christmas baking at home.Details
  • Music · DundonaldSummer band concerts in the parkA series of free outdoor band concerts held in Moat Park on summer afternoons, with brass, flute and concert bands on the bill. A carer can bring a folding chair and a flask, park close by, and stay for one or two sets rather than the whole afternoon.Details
  • Reading · DundonaldTea and Newspapers at Dundonald LibraryA free weekly Monday morning group where adults read the papers, discuss local and national news and meet other people. A carer can bring someone along for the hour, help with large print or audiobook choices afterwards, and keep the library visit part of the routine.Details
  • Reading · CarryduffCarryduff Library reading groupCarryduff Library runs free adult groups including a monthly reading group that can be joined online from home. A carer can set up the call or drive to the branch, and collect the month's book in advance.Details
  • Knitting · CarryduffKnit and Natter at Carryduff LibraryA free library group where adults knit, crochet and do other crafts together, with help for anyone learning or picking it up again. A carer can carry the bag of wool and needles, provide the lift, and stay nearby for the session.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Castlereagh

At a glance

The four 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
Giant's RingBallynahattyan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Moat ParkDundonaldan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Comber GreenwayDundonaldan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Belvoir Park ForestNewtownbredaan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Castlereagh

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

Carryduff1234
  1. 1Giant's Ring, Ballynahatty
  2. 2Moat Park, Dundonald
  3. 3Comber Greenway, Dundonald
  4. 4Belvoir Park Forest, Newtownbreda

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Castlereagh

Carers in Castlereagh 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 Castlereagh has the full figures.

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

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Castlereagh

Giant's Ring in Ballynahatty, Moat Park in Dundonald, Comber Greenway in Dundonald and Belvoir Park Forest in Newtownbreda. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Giant's Ring, Moat Park, Comber Greenway and Belvoir Park Forest. 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 Castlereagh drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Castlereagh 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 Castlereagh

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

Companionship care in the counties around Castlereagh

Days out in the areas around Castlereagh

Companionship care by town in Castlereagh

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 Castlereagh

See carers near Castlereagh 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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