Belfast Activity Centre (BAC)

What you can actually do

Onsite sessions pair two activities into a 3-hour block: think the caving experience, an outer cave climb or low-level bouldering wall, a cave abseil or ladder climb, archery, bushcraft, orienteering and team-building games. Offsite sessions run one activity per 3-hour slot, including canoeing on the River Lagan and mountain biking. The centre also leads walks and hikes on Cave Hill, Divis and across the Mournes. The stated minimum age is 8, with activities adapted to suit most ages and abilities, and everything is instructor-led with staff running each session. It suits active children aged 8 and over, school and youth groups, and adult or corporate teams.

Caving & climbing Canoeing on the Lagan Archery & bushcraft Ages 8+ Instructor-led Book ahead

Good to know before you go:

Activity centres like this run holiday camps, residential stays, group days and seasonal sessions, and BAC also runs charity challenges such as abseils. Check their own pages for current activities, dates and prices.

What to bring

🧦SocksGrip socks for the inflatables and soft play, or your own for bowling.

💷Pocket moneyFor the arcade, extra activities and a bite to eat.

📱A bookingThe popular slots fill up at weekends and on wet days — book ahead.

👟Comfy clothesYou’ll be jumping, climbing and racing about all visit.

Everything before you go

Type

Instructor-led outdoor adventure charity (multi-activity), book-ahead

Activities

Caving, climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, orienteering, team-building, canoeing on the Lagan, mountain biking, guided walks/hikes (Cave Hill, Divis, Mournes)

Minimum age / height

Minimum age 8; activities adapted to suit most ages and abilities (height limits not published)

Best for ages

Active children 8+, school and youth groups, adult/corporate teams

Booking

Essential - sessions booked in advance

Cost

Booked as 3-hour activity sessions; pricing not published - check current prices

Season / weather

Open 7 days a week; offsite, water and mountain sessions are weather and season dependent

Accommodation

Residential stays for schools and groups, including a 2-night summer camp at Ardaluin (near the Mournes)

Parking

Not confirmed - check with the venue

How long to allow

Half day is a 3-hour block; full day is two 3-hour sessions

Address

Belfast: Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB. Newcastle: Ardaluin House, Bryansford, Newcastle, BT33 0LF

Questions

Before you go

What’s there to do?

Caving, climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, orienteering, team-building, canoeing on the Lagan, mountain biking, guided walks/hikes (Cave Hill, Divis, Mournes)

Do I need to book?

Essential - sessions booked in advance

What ages is it good for?

Active children 8+, school and youth groups, adult/corporate teams

Getting there

Belfast Activity Centre (BAC) is at Belfast: Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB. Newcastle: Ardaluin House, Bryansford, Newcastle, BT33 0LF. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BelfastSee what else is close by More indoor fun & rainy-day winners across NISoft play, bowling, arcades and adventure

The story

About the centre

Belfast Activity Centre is an independent Northern Ireland charity that has delivered outdoor adventure and active learning since 1989 (NI Charity Commission Reg No. NIC101347). Its mission is to deliver progressive, creative and challenging outdoor adventure learning and accredited award programmes so young people can build skills, confidence and self-belief, with a focus on those at most disadvantage and hardest to reach.

It operates from two bases: Barnett's Demesne on the Malone Road in Belfast and Ardaluin House at Bryansford near Newcastle, on the edge of the Mournes. The charity reports having raised over £4.5 million through its charity abseils and challenges since 1989.