Ballymoney Museum named among UK’s most family-friendly attractions in prestigious national award shortlist

Children enjoy one of the many events at Ballymoney Museum

Ballymoney Museum has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s most respected heritage awards after being recognised by families as one of the country’s most welcoming places to visit.

The museum, located in Ballymoney Town Hall, has secured a place on the shortlist for the 2026 Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award and is the only museum in Northern Ireland to make the final selection.

The annual award, which has been running since 2004, is regarded as one of the heritage sector’s most significant accolades because it is judged by families rather than industry professionals. Hundreds of attractions from across the UK were nominated before a panel of museum experts, children and young people narrowed the field to just 20 shortlisted venues.

Ballymoney Museum is now competing against four other attractions in the Best Small Museum category, with judges set to visit throughout the summer before winners are announced in October.

Recognition driven by families

There is plenty to keep the kids entertained inside Ballymoney Museum

For museum staff, the nomination carries particular significance because it reflects the experiences of visitors who have chosen to put the attraction forward themselves.

Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Officer Jamie Austin said the team was delighted by the recognition.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the Family Friendly Museum Award, especially as the only museum in Northern Ireland to make the list.

“This recognition is incredibly special because it is nominated by families themselves, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who put us forward.

“Families are at the heart of everything we do. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and volunteers in creating welcoming spaces, from our increased workshops and activity sheets to our newly refurbished children’s area inspired by our own museum day children’s book. We are so grateful for our community’s fantastic support.”

What makes Ballymoney Museum stand out

The free museum has built a reputation as a family-focused destination, blending local history with interactive experiences designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.

Its collections bring the area’s heritage to life, from the ancient Derrykeighan Stone to Ballymoney’s rich association with motorcycles and road racing.

A recently refurbished children’s area has become one of the museum’s most popular attractions. Young visitors can explore sensory and tactile walls, take part in dress-up activities, tackle puzzles and enjoy a dedicated reading space.

A child enjoys an event at Ballymoney Museum

The museum has also introduced a range of accessibility measures aimed at making visits easier for families. These include sensory backpacks, pram access, baby changing facilities and breastfeeding-friendly spaces.

Alongside its permanent exhibits, Ballymoney Museum offers free family events, activity sheets, Scouts NI challenges and an upstairs gallery space where visitors can relax during their visit.

Judges to visit over the summer

The next stage of the competition will see undercover family judges visit each shortlisted museum during the summer holidays.

The judges will assess venues against the Kids in Museums Manifesto, a set of principles designed to help heritage attractions create enjoyable and accessible experiences for children, young people and families.

Their visits will determine category winners as well as the overall recipient of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2026.

Previous overall winners have included Experience Barnsley Museum & Discovery Centre, Young V&A in London, Craven Museum, the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield and Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery in Alnwick.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a ceremony in October.

A boost for local tourism and family days out

The national recognition places Ballymoney Museum alongside some of the UK’s most celebrated heritage attractions and shines a spotlight on a local venue that continues to attract families from across the Causeway Coast and beyond.

With judges still to make their visits over the coming months, the museum now has the opportunity to turn its shortlist success into a national award win, bringing further recognition to both the attraction and the wider area.