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Model Villages & Miniature Railways in Belfast
There's not a model village on this list, but the miniature railway side is covered properly. Whitehead Railway Museum out in Carrickfergus lets you climb onto the footplate of a 140 year old engine and step inside a 1950s carriage. A drive out to Downpatrick gets you the Downpatrick and County Down Railway, where steam and diesel trains run out to a ruined abbey and there's a model railway you can drive yourself, from £18. Closer to home, Pickie Funpark in Bangor has a narrow-gauge railway among its rides, and it's pay-as-you-go from £1 rather than one ticket price. For toddlers, Pickie's the easiest choice, with splash pads too if the weather's kind. Older kids who fancy a proper engine will get more from Whitehead or Downpatrick, both outdoors so dress for it. If you're just passing and want a coffee rather than a day out, Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey has a café upstairs and not much else. Downpatrick needs booking ahead, which is worth sorting before you set off.
7 places 1 free to visit
from £12Allen's Tours - (Causeway Tours)
Belfast
A day tour from Belfast out to the Giant's Causeway, with time to walk the basalt columns and coastal trails.
Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan · ages 4-11
A maze that takes about 40 minutes to crack, a woodland playpark, and miles of trails and bike tracks around a lake and Victorian castle.
CaféDog friendlyFood on siteOutdoor play+3 more
FreeCrawfordsburn Beach
Bangor
A sandy stretch by the country park where you can dig, paddle and let the day drift, with free parking on hand.
CaféFree parkingToiletsWheelchair accessible
from £18Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Downpatrick · ages 0+
Ride vintage steam and diesel trains out to a ruined abbey, with dressing-up, a footplate visit and a model railway to drive.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBooking requiredGift shop+6 more
Mossley Mill
Newtownabbey
A council building in Newtownabbey with a café upstairs, worth knowing about for a coffee stop rather than a big day out.
Toilets
from £1Pickie Funpark
Bangor · ages 3-10
A pay-as-you-go park of little rides, a narrow-gauge railway and splash pads, all pay-per-go rather than one ticket price.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingBooking requiredCafé+5 more
Whitehead Railway Museum
Carrickfergus
Climb onto the footplate of a 140 year old engine and step inside a 1950s carriage at this working railway museum.
CaféGroup bookingsFood on siteParking+3 more
Good to know: model villages & miniature railways in Belfast
Are any of them free?
Yes, Crawfordsburn Beach is free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £1 at Pickie Funpark. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find model villages & miniature railways in Belfast, Castlewellan, Bangor, Downpatrick, Newtownabbey and 1 more. Every place we list is in or around Belfast, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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