Ballymena
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Ballymena (Irish: an Baile Meánach, "the middle townland") is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.Get in
Ballymena means "Middle Town" in Irish, and rightly so, with a location right in between the Glens of Antrim and the fertile Bann valley, the North Coast and the Capital. It makes a good base to explore these places whilst sampling local life.
M2 runs by the town. The town is only about 30 mins drive from Belfast and Belfast International Airport and Larne harbour.
M2 runs by the town. The town is only about 30 mins drive from Belfast and Belfast International Airport and Larne harbour.
Get around
Driving in Ballymena can be confusing as there are many one-way streets and frequent lane changes. However, the town is well signposted. Congestion is moderate but parking is abundant and quite cheap. Like most places, taxis are expensive. There are frequent buses throughout the area and the town itself is quite big, but it is not hard to navigate on foot.
See
SlemishMountain the remains of the plug of an extinct volcano.
Do
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phone: +44 28 2566 4400a park and factual centre
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phone: +44 28 2563 5077address: 1-29 Bridge StMid Antrim Museum & Arts Centre
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Peoples Park
phone: +44 28 2564 3081address: Doury Rdvery popular, a play park and garden.
Buy
Ballymena is seen by many as the best place to shop in Northern Ireland after Belfast (and with cheaper parking!) and so makes it a good place to spend a sunny or rainy day.
There are two large shopping centres, the Tower Centre and the Fairhill, and many other great shops.
As well as a cinema, leisure centre and bowling alley.
The Tourist Information is in the Town Hall, Linenhall Street.
There are two large shopping centres, the Tower Centre and the Fairhill, and many other great shops.
As well as a cinema, leisure centre and bowling alley.
The Tourist Information is in the Town Hall, Linenhall Street.
Eat
There are many restaurants, take-aways, as any Western city, there are plenty of major food chains such as McDonalds, Subway etc. as well as quaint cafés and coffee shops.
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phone: +44 28 2565 4302address: 102-104Church streetGreat for a traditional Ulster Fry at cheap prices.
Drink
Nightlife in terms of clubs is poor, but Belfast and the North Coast aren't far away.
Hotel bars are the best bet or The Thatch in nearby Broughshane
Hotel bars are the best bet or The Thatch in nearby Broughshane
Sleep
Main hotels in the town are
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phone: +44 28 2588 1001address: Fenaghy Rd
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phone: +44 28 2565 2639address: Galgorm Rd
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phone: +44 28 2565 2313address: Leighinmohr Ave
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phone: +44 28 2565 3674address: 1 Ballymoney Rd
There are no hostels but plenty of medium priced guest houses.
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address: 103 Carnlough Rd, BroughshaneHigh quality B+B at low rates in a beautiful area.
Go next
- The M2 runs by the town so the North Coast and Belfast are easily accessible
- Only a few miles away is the village of Broughshane, well known in the summer months for its flowers.
- Portglenone Forest is famous for the bluebells that carpet it in the spring.
- For panoramic views of the whole county and if clear enough, Scotland, Donegal and the Mournes, head out to Slemish Mountain, and from there, on into the Glens of Antrim.
- Antrim (town)
- Ballymoney