Mini Land Rover Experience
Buckle up for big adventures in small Land Rovers!
At Glenarm Castle Estate, young explorers can take the wheel on one of Northern Ireland’s first off-road Mini Land Rover experiences. Set on a specially designed track built for both safety and excitement, this unforgettable adventure lets little drivers tackle twists, turns, and trails all on their own. It’s the perfect mix of confidence-building fun and outdoor thrills – book their spot and let the mini expedition begin!
July & August 2026
Our popular Mini Land Rover Experience is now just £8.75 per session, thanks to the UK Government’s temporary reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% for selected attractions during July and August. We’re delighted to be able to pass the savings on to you!
Opening Times:
Our Mini Land Rover Experience is open on select days from April until October each year.
July & August availability – Open each Saturday & Sunday as well as select days throughout the week.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your session. If you arrive late, the length of your session will be reduced, or you may lose your booking. There are no refunds if you miss your session.
Book a Mini Land Rover Experience
Important Information
Glenarm Castle’s Mini Land Rover Experience is for children who meet the minimum height of 97cm. Maximum height limit of 5′ or 150cm applies. The experience is best enjoyed by children 10 years old or younger.
The driving experience lasts for 30 minutes which includes a quick safety briefing and explanation of safety controls.
One Mini Land Rover is suitable for up to two children. A parent/guardian must walk beside the Mini Land Rover along the course.
Due to high demand, we strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Walk-in availability cannot be guaranteed, so please pre-book when possible.
If you have not pre-booked your Mini Land Rover tickets and wish to check walk-in availability, please contact our Welcome Centre Team before your visit.
Mini Land Rover Birthday Parties & Private Drives
Make your child’s birthday truly unforgettable with a Mini Land Rover Birthday Party! Available throughout the year, these parties let children enjoy private driving sessions on our custom track, complete with fun, safe challenges and plenty of adventure.
We also offer private drives and school outings all year round, perfect for groups looking for an exciting, hands-on experience in the great outdoors.
To enquire about a birthday party, private drive, or to book a school outing, please email us at welcome@glenarmcastle.com or call 028 2884 1203.
FAQs
How many Mini Land Rovers are there?
There are 5 cars available to hire. Each car has a potential top speed of 5 MPH, but this has been adjusted to ensure safe operation by children who reach the minimum height restriction of 97cm.
Each Mini Land Rover has a steering wheel, a starter key, accelerator, lights and a direction switch. One Mini Land Rover is suitable for two children.
The Mini Land Rovers can be switched off remotely by the accompanying adult by using a hand held fob. The accompanying adult can walk alongside the Mini Land Rover around the course.
The maximum load weight is 130 kg / approx 20 stone.
How many children can go on the Mini Land Rovers?
Are there any special clothing requirements?
Children and accompanying adults should be dressed appropriately for the weather outdoors and must wear closed shoes such as trainers or boots. Drivers will find trainers more comfortable than wellington boots which can inhibit their driving. There is no requirement to wear a helmet although on some occasions, it can be fun to dress up.
How do I book a drive for my children?
We encourage people to book through our website in order to guarantee a fixed time slot and ensure availability. We do accept walk in customers on the day, but only if there is a vacant space on the next available drive. Priority is always given to the booked drivers.
Birthday parties and other special events can be arranged separately and can be customised to your child’s needs.
If you would like to discuss booking a drive or an event, please feel free to call us at the Welcome Centre on 028 2884 1203
Do you do birthday parties or school outings?
Make your child’s birthday one to remember with a private Mini Land Rover Party at Glenarm Castle! Perfect for young adventurers, our exclusive party sessions offer plenty of off-road fun in a unique setting.
Party Packages
Choose from either a 30-minute or 1-hour private session.
Every party includes:
- Exclusive use of 5 Mini Land Rovers for your group
- Birthday decorations, including balloons and a birthday banner
- A Mini Land Rover Driving Certificate for every child
- A special Mini Land Rover souvenir keyring for the birthday child
- Complimentary parking (please register your vehicle at the Welcome Centre upon arrival)
Explore the Gardens
As an added bonus, all children aged 11 years and under receive free access to the Walled Garden on the day of the party.
The birthday child may also be accompanied by up to two adults free of charge into the gardens. Additional adult admission can be purchased on the day – simply visit the Welcome Centre on arrival.
What to Expect
Each Mini Land Rover seats one driver and one passenger, allowing children to take turns throughout the session. A designated pit stop is available for safely changing drivers, and a nearby seating area is provided for family members and children waiting for their turn.
Driver & Passenger Requirements
For the safety of all participants, the following conditions apply:
- Drivers must be at least 3 years old, a minimum of 97cm tall, and no taller than 150cm.
- Passengers must also be at least 3 years old. They may be under 97cm in height but must be able to sit independently and stabilise themselves safely within the vehicle. If a child is unable to do so, our team may ask that they do not ride for safety reasons.
All standard Mini Land Rover Experience Terms & Conditions apply to birthday party bookings.
What do I do when I arrive?
What about bad weather?
While we all hope for sunshine, the weather is unfortunately beyond our control. Mini Land Rover sessions will continue in light rain; however, if weather conditions become severe enough to make driving unsafe, we will contact you as soon as possible to cancel your session and arrange an alternative date or time.
We understand that this may be disappointing, particularly for excited young drivers, but the safety of our guests is always our priority. We want every Mini Land Rover experience to be enjoyable, safe, and memorable for all the right reasons.