waterfall
Glenariff Forest Park
The 'Queen of the Glens', with a boardwalk waterfall trail through a wooded gorge above the Antrim coast.
20 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland
Ballymena
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Ballymena
Ballymena is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Cullybackey, 26km from Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road).
Ballymena is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with about 29,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Cullybackey, about 5 km away.
Ballymena ( BAL-ee-MEE-nə; from Irish: an Baile Meánach [ənˠ ˌbˠalʲə ˈmʲaːn̪ˠəx], meaning 'the middle townland') is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the Braid River, about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Belfast. It had a population of 31,205 at the 2021 census, making it the seventh largestRead more
town in Northern Ireland by population. It is part of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim.
The town was built on the Braid River, on land given to the Adair family by King Charles I in 1626, with a right to hold two annual fairs and a Saturday market in perpetuity. Surrounding villages are Cullybackey, Ahoghill, Broughshane, and Kells-Connor.
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ballymena?
Within an hour or so of Ballymena: Glenariff Forest Park (20 km), Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road) (26 km), Antrim Coast Road (27 km), The Dark Hedges (31 km).
Are there any good drives near Ballymena?
The nearest famous roads are Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road), Antrim Coast Road and The Dark Hedges.
Where is Ballymena?
Ballymena is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Cullybackey.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 28,932
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.8636, -6.2763
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Ballymena
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road)
A cliff-edge road cut in the 1830s between Larne and Ballycastle, running under the Glens of Antrim with the Scottish coast in view.
26 km · about 30 min drive
coastal drive
Antrim Coast Road
A breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
27 km · about 30 min drive
famous road
The Dark Hedges
An eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
31 km · about 35 min drive
film location
The Dark Hedges (the Kingsroad)
The 18th-century beech avenue near Armoy played the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones and is one of Northern Ireland's most photographed spots.
31 km · about 35 min drive
film location
Cushendun Caves (the shadow birth)
The 400-million-year-old caves on the Antrim coast are where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow assassin.
33 km · about 40 min drive
castle
Carrickfergus Castle
One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, guarding Belfast Lough for over 800 years from its commanding waterfront position.
34 km · about 40 min drive
historic highway
Dundrod Circuit
A 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
34 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Ballymena
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 26 kmCauseway Coastal Route (A2 Antrim Coast Road)A cliff-edge road cut in the 1830s between Larne and Ballycastle, running under the Glens of Antrim with the Scottish coast in view.
- 27 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
- 31 kmThe Dark HedgesAn eerie tunnel of intertwined beech trees made world-famous as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.
- 34 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
- 37 kmThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
- 39 kmTorr Head Scenic RouteWhite-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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