Visitor Information

+ Opening times and Booking

Public Visiting:

• The Ballance House & Tea Barn is open to the public on Sunday afternoons April to September. Outside of these dates, we are open for special events and private family or group bookings.
• A visit includes a tour of the restored 19th century Parlour and our New Zealand Story 'Half a World From Here' Exhibition.

Group Visits: open for pre-booked groups.
Venue Hire: the House can be hired as a meeting venue and for family gatherings all year round.

Contact Us to arrange a date and discuss your requirements.

+ Visit Duration

Our Guided Tour Experience lasts approximately one hour. On average, a visit to the House will last 2 hours.

+ Catering

Our Tea Barn is open on Sunday afternoons for light refreshments (April to September). It is also available to hire for private bookings and groups (all year round).

+ Facilities

Car, minibus and coach parking. All parking is very convenient to the House.

Open spaces: courtyard and lawn areas.

+ Visitor Safety

• For visitor comfort we limit numbers on our Exhibition Tours. Please follow the booking link above to guarantee your place on a Tour.

+ Accessibility

• The Exhibition will allow visually impaired users to be close to objects.
• An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor. Baby changing table also available.
• To assist those with limited mobility, a stair lift is available for access to the first floor of the Exhibition.
• Seating is available in all areas of the House
• Information for self-guided tours: we can provide information sheets, in large-print if required.
• Guide, assistant and companion animals – including assistant dogs in training, are welcome throughout the property. Water bowls will be available.

+ Languages

English only.

+ Prices & Payment

Tours: Adult £5.50. Young people (over 12) £3.50. Children (under 12) Free. Family Group (2 adults, 2 young people): £15. Members free. Light refreshments are available to purchase in the Tea Barn.

Sterling only: cash, cheque. Cards accepted. Vouchers can be arranged as gifts.

+ Location

From Belfast: exit M1 junction 9 at Moira. Take the 3rd exit to the A26 Antrim/International Airport. Travel approximately 6-7 miles towards Glenavy. On the A26 at Glenavy, turn right to the A30 Lisburn Road. Continue for 2.5 miles and you will reach The Ballance House brown tourist sign on your left.

From the M1 West: exit junction 9 at Moira. Take the 1st exit to the A26 Antrim/International Airport. Travel towards Glenavy, approximately 6-7 miles. On the A26 at Glenavy, turn right to the A30 Lisburn Road. Continue for 2.5 miles and you will reach The Ballance House brown tourist sign on your left.

From Lisburn: take the Glenavy Road (A30) until you reach the brown tourist sign for The Ballance House on the right hand side, approximately 5 miles from Lisburn.

From Antrim/North: Take the A26, via Nutt's Corner, for M1-Craigavon. At Glenavy, turn right to the A30 Lisburn Road. Continue for 2.5 miles and you will reach The Ballance House brown tourist sign on your left