The rating and comments recorded in this Guide reflect the experiences and personal opinions of Leaders and Cubs/Scouts at the time of visiting and are primarily recorded as a resource for other Scout Groups in the District when planning camps, day trips etc. While every effort has been made to provide a fair and balanced assessment and accurate factual information, those compiling this list can accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to any of the sites listed subsequent to the visit and encourage others to contact us with their own impressions of these sites.

Requests for further information on any of the sites listed, new entries or revised information for inclusion in the guide can be sent to the Team :

Email: eastbelfast@yahoo.com

Campsites and Indoor Accommodation

Ganaway Activity Centre, Co.Down:

activity centre managed by the Boys Brigade (BB) Association, close to Millisle and Ballywalter and convenient to groups in the Belfast area. Excellent indoor accommodation either in the main Centre or in modern well equipped self-catering chalets sleeping 12-20, with adjacent campsite. A full range of activities including climbing, archery, watersports and team-building exercises, all organised by qualified instructors, are available on request. There is also access to a large indoor games hall and an orienteering course. A very efficiently managed centre run by cheerful and helpful staff. Very impressed by our first visit last year!!!

Peter Thompson Hall, Castlerock, Co.Londonderry:

Owned by the local Scout Group and conveniently situated very close to Castlerock Railway Station for those Groups not having access to their own transport. Very large indoor games hall doubling as a sleeping area for up to 30 (a limited number of mattresses/camp beds are available). Modern equipped kitchen. Large field/grass pitch available nearby for outdoor games. Castlerock is within easy access of the major attractions in Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine which can all be reached by a short train or bus journey.

SheepIsland View, Main Street, Ballintoy, Co.Antrim:

Independent Holiday Hostel on the North Antrim Coast, convenient to the Giants’ Causeway, Bushmills and Ballycastle and also for trips to Rathlin Island. Excellent dormitory accommodation for Groups of up to 30, each room sleeping 4-6. In addition, there are a number of smaller family rooms, most with en suite facilities. A spacious games room/lounge is available and a large modern fully-equipped kitchen is provided for those wishing to self-cater, although full board is available on request for a small additional charge. Ideal for a Pack or Troop weekend. There is an accompanying two storey cottage and small camping area, each with separate kitchen and toilet facilities, each suitable as a base for a Venture Unit or Leaders’ Weekend Break. The Hostel is a family business run very efficiently by Josie and Seamus, a friendly couple who always pull out the stops to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable stay.

Slievenaman Schoolhouse, Bryansford, Co.Down:

renovated 19th Century Schoolhouse and adjacent cottage in the heart of the Mourne Mountains with adjacent field suitable for pitching up to 4 Patrol Tents. Slievenaman, owned by 7th East Belfast Group (Dundonald), has provided the venue for camps for Packs, Troops and Units for generations of Scouts from East and further afield. Although somewhat basic, the site has an enduring charm that has ensured many Groups in East are frequent visitors. The Schoolhouse can be used as sleeping accommodation or wet weather games room, while the cottage has a spacious lounge, separate eating area and kitchen; upstairs there are 2 bedrooms suitable for Leaders. Gas cooker, lighting, flush toilets and running water available. Ideally situated for activities in the Mournes, and close to Newcastle and Tollymore Forest Park. Reasonably priced.

Tain Holiday Village, Carlingford, Co.Louth:

Range of B&B, self-catering and Hostel Accommodation available. Accompanying Campsite and Caravan Park. Small heated indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games areas, laser quest, tennis courts, Bar and Disco. A range of watersports and orienteering advertised and may be available on request. Generally, disappointing and not good value for money- did not live up to expectations. Staff were not particularly helpful or accommodating. While suitable for family caravan holidays and weekend breaks, Tain is similar in many respects to a Butlins or Maplins Holiday Park and is not an ideal venue for a Cub or Scout Camp.

Adventurous Activity Centres

Lagan Watersports, Belfast :

Excellent new watersports centre in the heart of the city, operating from River's Edge, Ravenhill Road and convenient to all Groups in the Greater Belfast Area. A range of activities available on the River Lagan, including canoeing, kayaking and Dragon-Boat Racing, a new sport popular with Cubs, Scouts and Leaders alike. Operated by fully qualified and friendly staff under the direction of manager, Eamon; all instruction and safety equipment provided. Highly recommended as an alternative week night programme activity or Saturday afternoon event.

Corralea Activity Centre, Upper McNean, Co.Fermanagh:
excellent adventurous activity centre near Belcoo. A range of land and water-based activities provided by qualified staff. Activities can be adapted to suit requirements of individual Groups. Caving expedition very highly recommended. Tour guide, Marios, is very experienced and has an excellent rapport with children.

Gosford Karting, Markethill, Co.Armagh:
outdoor go-karting track located at short distance from to Gosford Forest Park. Suitable for Scouts, Venture Scouts and Leaders. Smaller karts adjusted to reduced speed are available for older Cub Scouts (minimum height restriction 4' 10"). All safety equipment and instruction provided. Ideal activity for those camping at Gosford. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

East Coast Adventure, with centres in Carlingford, Co.Louth and Warrenpoint, Co.Down:

excellent residential centre, which also caters for weekend and day visits; adaptable to the needs of individual groups. Range of adventurous activities available including rock climbing, abseiling, bouldering in the Mourne Mountains or Carlingford area, and sailing, surfing, canoeing or banana ski on Carlingford Lough. All equipment and instruction provided. Very friendly and helpful staff willing to give 110% to make each activity memorable and fun for children and adults alike. Suitable for Cubs – Venture Scouts.

Hill Farm Riding Centre, Castlerock, Co.Londonderry:
Approved Horse Riding and Pony-Trekking Centre. Equipment and qualified instruction provided. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Share Holiday Village, Lisnaskea, Co.Fermanagh:

Residential indoor accommodation in chalets or guesthouse, or adjacent campsite and caravan park. Self-catering or full-board. Also available for day-visits. A range of watersports, mountain biking, orienteering and archery are provided by qualified staff. All equipment is supplied. There is also a mock Indian Reservation, a climbing wall and an indoor heating swimming pool. A number of art and craft workshops and a Drama and Film-Making workshop have recently been introduced and are particularly recommended for Cub Scouts

Tudor Farm, Lough Erne, Co.Fermanagh:
highly recommended watersports centre near Kesh. All equipment and instruction provided. Activities include sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, water-skiing, jet ski and banana boating

 

Maddybenny Farm Riding Centre, Portrush:
Approved riding school with friendly and approachable staff. Large indoor arena guarantees that Cubs are still able to ride the ponies even in the event of wet weather. There is also a small games room with snooker table, table football etc.

Leisure Centres and Indoor Recreation Facilities

Waterworld, Portrush:
Indoor water-based Theme Park popular with Beaver and Cub Scouts, providing pirate ship, water cannon and slides. The water is very shallow and the complex is well supervised by qualified staff enabling weary Leaders to avail themselves of the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi incorporated into the complex!

 

Riada Leisure Centre, Ballymoney:
Large indoor games hall suitable for 5-a-side football, table-tennis and badminton. Trampoline and bouncy castle available on request. Indoor heated swimming pool. Attractive package deals and group reductions available. Useful wet-weather option.

Aladdin’s Kingdom, Omagh, Co.Tyrone:
small indoor childrens’ adventure playground in the heart of Omagh town centre. Ideal for Beavers and Squirrels and as a wet weather alternative for Cub Scouts to let off steam. Run by very friendly staff. Meals can be provided by prior arrangement.

Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh:
recently refurbished leisure centre in the centre of Enniskillen. A range of indoor and outdoor football pitches, racquet courts, trampolining, archery and swimming pool available.

Omagh Leisure Centre, Co.Tyrone:
modern leisure complex in the centre of Omagh. A range of indoor and outdoor football pitches, racquet courts, trampolining, archery and swimming pool available.

 

Tourist Attractions and Places to Visit

Castle Archdale Forest Park, Co.Fermanagh:

venue for the Lakeland’82 Northern Ireland Scout Jamboree, this Forest park is an ideal location for BBQs and forest walks, rambles, outdoor Scouting activities and Wide Games. The ruined Castle itself is also worth a visit. Camping/caravan area is provided for those wishing to stay overnight. Horse Riding /Pony Trekking in the forest is available by prior arrangement with the nearby Drumboney Riding Stables, and boat trips to the islands in Lough Erne leave regularly from the Marina.

Dunluce Centre, Portrush, Co.Londonderry:

the Dunluce Centre boasts a very impressive Myths and Legends exhibition using the very latest technology and audio-visual displays, together with a viewing tower and Earthquest exhibition. Undoubtedly the highlight of any visit is a ride on the Turbo Tour Experience. This is very popular with Cubs, many of whom were willing to pay for a second ride from their own pocket money. However, one criticism is that admission to the Centre is rather expensive and that the Turbo Tour is too short in duration to provide good value for money. The Centre is still definitely worth a visit though, especially on a wet day in Portrush.

 

Carrickfergus Castle, Co.Antrim:

conveniently located for a day trip from Belfast. Cubs will enjoy exploring the ramparts, battlements and cannons. There is also an indoor museum and some excellent audio-visual displays. However, the attitude of the staff was poor, particularly in the gift shop and cafeteria where several displayed an amazing lack of tolerance of children; this did much to detract from an otherwise very enjoyable day out.

Enniskillen Castle, Co.Fermanagh:
comprising the Heritage Centre,Castle Keep, Watergate and Army Barracks, and housing the museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Well worth a visit, especially on a wet day in the Lakeland area. Excellent educational experience for Cub Scouts. Manned by friendly and approachable staff.

Gortin Glen Forest Park, Co.Tyrone:
campsite/caravan park close to Omagh. Ideal for picnics, BBQs, rambles and Wide Games etc. Horse-riding, mountain biking and orienteering are also available by prior arrangement.

Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, Co.Fermanagh:
spectacular partly submerged show caves deep under the Co.Fermanagh countryside. Excellent underground tours by foot/boat provided by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of young tour guides, highly experienced and used to working with children. Very highly recommended. Bring warm clothes as the caves can be very cold.

The Ulster American Folk Park, near Omagh, Co.Tyrone:

tracing the story of the settlers who left Ireland for a new life in America, the Park comprises a number of original houses, schools, churches and shops from both countries and a reconstruction of one of the ships used to transport the pilgrims across the Atlantic. Many of the staff dress in period costume and visitors have the opportunity to experience aspects of the local culture of the time such as cooking, candle making, music and barn dancing. Definitely worth a visit. However, the overall impression of East’s Cubs was that this was a somewhat dry and boring day out; the Centre is very educational and used to facilitating school parties. Plan to spend a few hours but not a whole day and perhaps combine a visit with a trip to the local Leisure centre or Forest Park to let the Cubs let off some steam afterwards.

The Ulster History Park, near Omagh, Co.Tyrone:
well worth a visit. Traces the history of Ulster from the earliest days to modern times. Lots of hands-on interactive displays sure to interest the most hard to please Cub Scout. The staff are very friendly, tolerant, and approachable and well used to working with youth organisations and school parties.

The Armagh Planetarium, Armagh City, Co.Armagh:
Ideal for Cub Scouts and Scouts especially as a wet weather activity for those camping at Gosford. Staff are friendly and helpful and willing to assist with all aspects of the Cub Scout and Scout Astronomer Badges.

Restaurants and Cafeterias

Silver Sands Restaurant, Portrush:
Pleasant and helpful staff undaunted by the arrival of large parties of Cub Scouts! Very reasonably priced and excellent choice available from the children's menu. Good value for money.

 

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