Discover Lisburn

Explore Lisburn through its linen and town history, historic gardens and variety of trails. From a museum offering insights into linen-making to parks and cultural venues, there is plenty to discover. You can tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.

Linen and town history

At the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, the permanent exhibition “Flax to Fabric” tells the story of linen and how it is made. If you are interested in more than the finished fabric, you can also try spinning flax into yarn yourself. Daily demonstrations take place at looms in the weaving workshop, including two Jacquard looms. The visit brings together an exhibition and hands-on demonstrations.

The museum also offers free guided tours of the surrounding area and free weaving and spinning workshops. As programmes may change, it is a good idea to check the current offering before your visit. Another way to explore the town’s history is the Wallace Walking Trail: its brochure guides you to various places in the town centre where Sir Richard Wallace left his mark.

Gardens and park history

Castle Gardens is a formal garden in the heart of Lisburn, ideal for a relaxing stroll. The grounds are located on the site of Lisburn Castle, a fortified manor house dating from the 17th century. The Lisburn Historic Quarter Trail also passes through Castle Gardens. If you are interested in the gardens, guided tours and workshops may also be available; check the current offering and booking details in advance.

Wallace Park offers a different experience. It covers 26 acres and was given to the town of Lisburn in 1884 by its then landlord, Sir Richard Wallace, as a public park and recreation ground. The park largely retains its original layout and much of its Victorian character. It is used by dog walkers, families and cyclists, as well as by people taking a stroll during their lunch break. The park’s history and its present-day use complement each other: the place is connected both with its origins as a public recreation ground and with a variety of ways to spend time there.

Trails and interests

The Lagan Towpath is a flat, traffic-free route between Belfast and Lisburn and a high-quality section of the Ulster Way. Lagan Valley Regional Park also has numerous woodland and meadow trails, which WalkNI has recognised as high-quality short walks. Different features help with orientation: the Towpath is defined by its route between the two cities and its surface, while the landscape types and recognition as short walks are useful points of reference for the trails in the Regional Park.

The Guess How Much I Love You Trail offers one version for “little hares” and another for “big hares”. You can follow it using a digital app or use a map available from the Lisburn Visitor Information Centre at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. Check the current access arrangements and trail details before your visit.

Culture and practical information

The ISLAND Arts Centre presents a broad range of work, including drama, music, dance, visual and applied arts, film, new media and community arts. The centre also has a sculpture trail. The Coca-Cola Visitor Experience offers a different kind of behind-the-scenes view: visitors can look down on the production floor, and the experience also includes an interactive zone. Check the booking arrangements for this experience before your trip.

For help finding your way around, the Lisburn Visitor Information Centre provides a free map of the town centre and other travel guides for Lisburn & Castlereagh. These can help you organise the different topics and stops for your stay.

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Return to the main travel overview: Lisburn.