Glenarm Castle, ancestral home of the McDonnell family, Earls of Antrim, offers much of interest including The Walled Garden and the Castle itself is also open several times a year. The tea room is open to the general public all year and this makes a lovely stopping off place when touring on the coast road
The Tea Room is a charming setup in the old Mushroom House beside the kitchen garden and, following a recent revamp, it now has several very pleasant rooms to choose from - and a choice of outside seating too, one is in the inner gardens for customers with tickets.
Local and organic ingredients take centre stage and Head Chef Sean Moran and his team offer appealing all day food, including an excellent breakfast /brunch - an all day breakfast bagel with organic scrambled egg and local bacon is very popular.
Tasty snacks include a seafood chowder that's worth travelling for, homemade bruschetta and Tuscan tart dressed with olives & pesto - also a dish called the hot goat: marinated chicken breast topped with goat's cheese, chorizo sausage and chilli jam. Sandwiches are a cut above the usual fare too and and there's a more-ish homemade cream tea, with organic teas and a range of coffees.
There is also a new gift shop near the Tea Room, selling quality items including Glenarm Castle merchandise and gardening gifts.
*Glenarm Castle Organic Farm produces superb organic lamb and pedigree Shorthorn Beef. Working in patnership with Peter Hannan of Hannan Meats (see entry), Glenarm Castle Estate has established the Glenarm Shorthorn Beef brand, which is in great demand and features on top menus in the region.
