Malone House
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Belfast
What it’s like
Free grounds to wander round a Georgian house, with a playground and cycling paths next door at Barnett Demesne.
The house itself and the gardens around it cost nothing to visit, which makes this an easy one to fold into a bigger day out. Wander the grounds, spot the outdoor art pieces dotted about, and if the kids need more than looking at things, the playground at Barnett Demesne next door is right there for the climbing and sliding they actually want to do. There's walking and cycling through the wider demesne too, so you can turn a quick stop into a proper couple of hours if the weather holds.
Opening is 9am to 5pm daily, and the Malone Room café inside runs 10am to 3pm for breakfast, brunch and lunch, plus the usual soup, sandwiches and cake. Parking is free and first-come, first-served, with disabled spaces marked out, though on a busy weekend that could mean a walk from the lower car park if the front one's full. There's a lift to the first floor and automatic doors at the entrance, so a buggy or a wheelchair isn't a problem getting in.
Dogs are welcome on leads in the gardens and around the perimeter, with water bowls out for them, but they can't come inside the house itself, assistance dogs aside. Baby changing is in the unisex toilet on the ground floor and breastfeeding is welcome throughout. Because there's no ticket and no booking, it suits a spontaneous decision on a dry morning more than a big planned outing, and with events like concerts and fairs sometimes on in the grounds, it's worth being aware the odd visit might land on a busier day than usual.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free onsite parking, first-come, first-served
- Food
- Malone Room café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch including sandwiches, soup, savoury and sweet treats, speciality tea, coffee
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible inside. Ground level public lift to first floor
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only inside. Dogs on leads allowed in gardens and perimeter fence
- The café only runs 10am to 3pm, earlier or later and you'll be relying on your own snacks
- Parking is first-come, first-served so the lower car park might be your spot on a busy day
- Dogs are fine in the grounds but stay outside once you reach the house door
- Public events like concerts and fairs sometimes take over the grounds, so a quiet wander isn't guaranteed every visit
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Malone House and the gardens are both free to visit.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link, so you just turn up during opening hours.
What are the opening hours?
9am to 5pm every day.
Is there anywhere for the kids to actually play?
The house grounds have outdoor art to spot, but the real playground is next door at Barnett Demesne, along with paths for walking and cycling.
Is there parking?
Free onsite parking at the front, plus a lower car park if that one's full, and there are disabled spaces too.
Can we bring the dog?
On a lead, yes, but only in the gardens and grounds. Dogs aren't allowed inside the house other than assistance dogs.
Is there somewhere to eat?
The Malone Room café does breakfast, brunch and lunch from 10am to 3pm, with soup, sandwiches and cake.
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