Carnfunnock Country Park

Ok for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Plenty of flora and fauna and a small maze to walk around.
More planned activities and attractions. Maps given out at the entrance.
If in bad weather it could be depressing.
Overall just OK.
There is an increasing admission charge if you stay more than one hour.

I used to love going here as a kid, and now I have nieces and nephews, so I have every excuse to go again!
It’s a great place to take the kids on those seemingly endless summer days as there are endless things for them to do. I used to love the maze, and I’d imagine that going with kids, it’s an easy way to kill a few hours — just let them get lost in it!
There’s also an adventure playground, mini golf and a thousand other things to help stave off the boredom!
It’s also located in the Carnfunnock Country Park, which is a really lovely place for a good long walk on a nice day. Plus, since it’s located on the north coast, it’s a lovely drive up there.

Need somewhere to spend an entire weekend or summer holiday day? A dry one that is, and one with children. Then Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone is for you. This is a place where you can genuinely spend the whole day without a single whine of ‘I’m boooorrred’.
There are just loads of really good fun things to do here, nothing lame or boring and definitely something for everyone from babies up to early teens.
You pay a fee of around £5 to park your car for the day and get access to the country park and you could in theory end your spending for the day there. You will have access to acres of woodland, beautiful gardens which the adults will appreciate and the kids will enjoy trampling through. There is a also a huge maze which the whole family will love and which you can oversee from a massive big wooden decking area. Also included is a fantastic park with a huge boat in the middle which can be explored and climbed on.
All of that will pass a full morning or afternoon, but part with a bit more cash and you can do so much more. About 5 minutes walk away is where all the action is — there are trampolines, mini golf, bouncy castles, a bungee jump, remote control lorries and a mini railway, all of which are excellent fun. Now, each activity costs about £1.25, so you can see how you budget will soon spiral. It might be a good idea to tell the kids in advance that they can choose 2 or 3 activities and that’s it. It works for me. Kind of.
There are picnic tables with spots for portable BBQs and a proper BBQ area which you can pre book (and pay for) for large groups. There aren’t that many picnic tables so get in early and stake your claim.
Cut down on costs by bringing your own picnic, but there is a tea room and a little shop selling drinks, ice creams etc, so all options are covered.
All in all, it’s a fantastic place for a day out. I dare you to go and not have a good time!

Just what a country park should be and what a pity more areas don’t take a leaf out of their book. Pay to park in high season (or be active and park down at t he shore car park and walk in), but free in low season. Watch out for their special event days such as Teddy Bears Picnic etc., but be warned they usually attract large crowds, very large. so you may find yourself in an overflow car park (ie a field). One shame is their maze. It’s great when you can go in but they don’t use an evergreen, so it is closed off over the winter months. They play area is fun for the kids albeit it’s shape/​contents layout makes it a bit difficult to keep an eye on the kids, especially if you have more than one or two. The train ride and crazy golf are worth a go ad if you have a caravan or tent, there is a smashing little site, right in the park itself, but screened off by trees/​bushes. One tip, if you plan to visit quite a few time during high season, it can work out cheaper buying one of their parking permits.

I love Carnfunnock Country Park! I especially love visiting with my young niece who is age 6. There are lots of things to see and do for all ages. When with my niece, I enjoy taking her to the park which is very popular with children (and that I played in when I was a little girl!) or the more recent developments including the go karts, mini trampolines and train. There is also a putting green and large 3d board games to play such as connect4 and checkers.
If I am out and about in Carnfunnock with older friends, I have the option of going for a nice long country walk. There are so many areas to walk around at Carnfunnock, some of which might not even be discovered if you don’t take a certain turn. There is a large pond, a wishing well, old ice bunker, as well as many other hidden away areas to discover. Many areas of trees are named to enable children’s learning, and birdwatching trails enhanced with information boards highlighting which birds are usually seen in the area and how to recognise them.
I could also spend my time in Carnfunnock enjoying their 9 hole golf course which overlooks the Irish sea on a clear day you can see Scotland!
Carnfunnock also provides several cafes to sit, relax and have a coffee whilst gazing out past the green, the beach and across the Irish Sea.
Carnfunnock is also the place to be at signature times of year; for example at Halloween there is facepainting, games, prizes and a great firework show, at Easter there is an egg hunt and games and prizes There is so much to see and do at Carnfunnock! You just have to come down and see it to believe it.

Boring. Apparently has a nice coastal walk. Followed the walk and it passes by a very busy road. Not so great. Park itself is very confusing, more signs /​directions would be good. Enoyed the maze shaped like Northern Ireland. Might be better for very small children during the summer time.