Glenoe Waterfall

What You'll Find

Glenoe Waterfall is a pocket-sized adventure, and that's exactly what makes it so good with small children. You park in one of two small National Trust car parks just off the B99 outside the village, walk a short, shaded path, and there it is — a waterfall dropping into a pool in a wooded hollow, with ferns and moss all round it.

It isn't a long walk and it isn't a big day out. That's the point. For a two- or three-year-old, the steps down into the glen feel like a proper expedition, and the noise of the water gets them excited long before they can see it. There's a bridge to stand on and a bench beside the pool, so you can sit for ten minutes and let them watch the water do its thing.

Glenoe village sits above the glen, a short stroll away, and the waterfall is free to visit. Come after a spell of rain and it's at its best; come in a dry spell and it's quieter, but still a lovely wee stop.

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Hearing the waterfall before they can see it
• ✓Carefully taking the steps down into the glen
• ✓Standing on the bridge watching the water tumble over the rocks
• ✓A few minutes on the bench beside the pool — and a snack, obviously

Before You Visit

There's no charge and no booking, but check access before you visit — this is a natural glen, and paths can close for repairs, storm damage or after heavy rain.

The walk is short but it isn't flat. Steps and paths wind around the glen, and the ground gets slippery after rain, so grip matters more than distance.

Both car parks are small and sit off the Waterfall Road (B99), about five miles south of Larne off the A2. We couldn't confirm whether there's a charge, so come prepared to pay. If they're full, come back another time rather than squeezing onto the village road.

We couldn't confirm toilets or a café at the site, so plan Glenoe as a stop rather than a whole afternoon. The 162B and 170B buses pass through the village, and the nearest train station is Glynn, about three miles north.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐Go after rain. A waterfall with a bit of water in it is a different experience entirely.
• ⭐Grippy shoes for everyone, including the grown-ups — the steps are the slippy bit.
• ⭐Wild swimming is prohibited here, so keep it to watching from the bridge and the paths.
• ⭐Check the National Trust page before a long drive; a closed path is a disappointing outing with small children.