About
Each Sunday throughout the summer months of June, July and August, Cockle will see activities and entertainment visiting the seaside village of Groomsport to provide an afternoon of FREE fun! No booking required, just come along.
The cottages are open Thursdays - Sundays, 4 June - 13 September 2026.
Little explores can also have a go at the sense trail, encouraging them to look, listen, smell and feel the natural surroundings of this special place. Pick up your free Explorers Pack/Senses Trail backpacks from the Visitor Information staff, inside, where you will also find a souvenir and summer fun essentials for the kids and you can wander the cottages to see what life was like for the family that lived there.
Cottages open from 11am - 5pm | Free admission
Free family fun will take place weekly, on Sundays only from 2pm to 4pm unless specified otherwise...
JUNE
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June | To celebrate the annual seasonal reopening of Cockle row Cottages, we’ve a double dose of entertainment and discovery this weekend. On Saturday 6 June, make sure you pop down and try a taste of history, with some of Christine’s deliciously tasty homemade soda bread, prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill from 2pm. And, on Sunday 7 June, the amazing NI School of Falconry spread their wings and swoop into Groomsport for the afternoon.
Sunday 14 June | Miss Fizz Wizz Pop will be creating another memorable magical Sunday at Cockle Row
Sunday 21 June | Don’t miss the fun and entertainment as our friends at Party Animals NI, based in Newtownards, bring their Furry Bunnies and Chinchillas to Creep Millipedes and Slimey Snails, oh, and, not forgetting, their scaly friends! Join the fun this Sunday for this interactive display.
Sunday 28 June | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature. On this day, kids can create a beautiful butterfly using reused fabric scraps and simple craft materials. This colourful, eco-friendly activity encourages creativity while giving new life to textiles that might otherwise go to waste.
JULY
Sunday 5 July | Heather Cassidy of Wild & Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature. Little ones can enjoy creating their very own colourful sailboat using recycled paper plates and paper scraps! This fun, sustainable craft encourages creativity while showing children how everyday materials can be reused to make something new and beautiful.
Sunday 12 July | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey
Saturday 18 July | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 19 July | The fabulous Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer will be popping in for shows, perfect for little ones! And, NI School of Falconry will return with their beautiful birds of prey.
Sunday 26 July | Little ones will also be able to enjoy a visit from the always popular, Blackberry Farm who will be bringing along some fluffy animals for show and tell.
AUGUST
Saturday 1 August | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey.
Sunday 2 August | Change to programme, due to unforeseen circumstances - instead of Wild and Crafted NI there will be performances of Traditional Music.
Sunday 9 August | Kiri Cottage Crafts Yarn Spinning by Christine Casey, and Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer.
Saturday 15 August | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill And, Blackberry Farm return with some fluffy animals for show and tell.
Sunday 16 August | NI School of Falconry
Saturday 22 August | Fizz Wizz Pop children's entertainer will be bringing colour and cheer to the cottages with shows perfect for little ones!
Sunday 23 August | Welig Heritage Crafts - A show and tell of traditional crafting with willow, plus visitors can look forward to Blackberry Farm and their animal roadshow.
Saturday 29 August | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 30 August | Children can take part in a crafting workshop led by Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI and on this day, they can create and take home a Painted Egg Box Turtle - Drop in and create a colourful turtle from a recycled egg box! A fun, nature-inspired craft that encourages creativity and imaginative play. Perfect for little makers to take home and enjoy.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 5 September | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill
Sunday 6 September | Soda Bread Baking Demo - Soda Bread prepared and baked in front of you over the hot fire grill.
Sunday 13 September | Heather Cassidy of Wild and Crafted NI will be providing wellbeing crafting through creativity and connection with nature
More information on European Heritage Open Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September to follow.
OCTOBER | HALLOWEEN
Saturday 31 October | The fabulous and colourful Fizz Wizz Pop hildren's entertainer will return!
Sunday 1 November | Cottages closed.
Please note, details are subject to change.
Find out more about the picturesque village of Groomsport and Cockle Row, including information on seasonal tours of the village and on Groomsport Inclusive Beach.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Free to attend. No tickets required.
