Clifton House
Clifton House
5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Clifton House is an impressive Georgian building, set in tranquil landscaped gardens in the heart of Belfast. Opened in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, it was used until 1882 as the Poor House. Today it is operated as a heritage and conference centre. Come on a tour and hear tales about Belfast's original Poor House as your guide takes you through the interesting, and at times turbulent, history of the Belfast Charitable Society as you walk in the footsteps of the famous Joy and McCracken families and the poor who sought refuge in its walls. Experience the Poor House Augmented Reality Tours every weekend at 11am. Mary Ann McCracken's Belfast Walking Tour Fridays at 2pm. Booking essential- please visit our website for the most up to date tour information and to book: cliftonbelfast.com Free car parking on site.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
64 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
0
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0
Therese1234
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I joined a walking tour that started at Clifton House and wandered the streets of Belfast City explaining the life of Mary Ann McCracken as we went. Our guides - Jackie and Mary Alice were wonderful. We even stopped for a cup of tea and chat along the way. I’d highly recommend taking this tour if you get the chance.
Written May 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley M
London, UK4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We knew that there was no guided tour that day, but as the place was open we went to see it for ourselves. We found it so interesting seeing all the people who had been there, from all those who had died, and all the children with their ages, who had lived there. We were the only visitors so enjoyed seeing the various rooms and plaques, without interruption. On entering we were given a leavelet about Clifton House, which helped us enjoy the visit.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayfaring Libertarian
Belfast, UK1,078 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
It doesn’t feel good to give this place anything less than a glowing review, but the reality is that my experience here really was just “average.”
I booked the 90-minute “Poor House Experience” and, sadly, it was anything but an “experience.” It was more of a standing lecture. I thought it would include access to more of the building’s rooms and additional information about what the poor house was actually like.
I appreciate that the guides tried to provide breadth to the level of information they gave, but it ended up feeling like the information was a mile wide and only an inch deep.
I think I would have had a much better experience visiting the building on one of the “Open” days where I could have left at my leisure.
I’ll also note that the Poor House Experience seemed best-suited for locals. There were many references that I, a non-local, struggled to keep up with.
I booked the 90-minute “Poor House Experience” and, sadly, it was anything but an “experience.” It was more of a standing lecture. I thought it would include access to more of the building’s rooms and additional information about what the poor house was actually like.
I appreciate that the guides tried to provide breadth to the level of information they gave, but it ended up feeling like the information was a mile wide and only an inch deep.
I think I would have had a much better experience visiting the building on one of the “Open” days where I could have left at my leisure.
I’ll also note that the Poor House Experience seemed best-suited for locals. There were many references that I, a non-local, struggled to keep up with.
Written August 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xdonna
18 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
I was somewhat disappointed today. We stood for the first 45 minutes of the tour in the reception area listening to our guide ( 5 minutes were spent outside, detailing the architecture, at the beginning). I was very aware of an elderly man in the group. I feel provision of chairs would be helpful for this part of the tour. We were told from the outset that questions should preferably be left until the end. Overall, it felt no group interaction was encouraged and I found @ a 90 minute lecture became quite tedius. The bulk of the tour consisted of the reception area, with the shorter, latter part in the boardroom. There were some interesting maps in this room. The reception staff member was a very welcoming man.
Written November 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridget W
1 contribution
Aug 2021
The Experience the Poor House Augmented Reality Tour was fascinating and a really innovative way of using the site and modern technology. We were given iPads for the tour, scanning circles throughout the tour prompted new displays to appear on the iPad that moved with the iPad. You could look through doors and around corners to see different areas as they would have been in the past. This was a really interesting way to not only talk about but SHOW the past to visitors. The only semi-negative comment would be that sometimes the circles wouldn't activate right away and could take a few tries. Perhaps using QR codes as well could help with this? That would depend on the program development though. Other than that it was a great, educational, fun experience.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne M
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Family
Tour of poor house and cemetery was excellent. Paul our guide was very knowledgable and entertaining.
Very suitable for kids and adults alike. Fascinating insight into old Belfast and the characters that helped make Belfast the city we know and love today.
Very suitable for kids and adults alike. Fascinating insight into old Belfast and the characters that helped make Belfast the city we know and love today.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juliaRM
Cork, Ireland7 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Excellent fun tour and narrative of the origins of Clifton House . Tour guide was obvious enjoying the tour and by and excellent at engaging his audience. A few bits not entirely accurate but put down as artistic licence! Worth visiting.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KaribuClan
Purley, UK62 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
A great insight into the founding of compassionate and industrial Belfast.
Guide(s) were informative and approachable. They brought history to life through story telling.
House is a sight to behold.
The stories at the cemetery provided insights into individuals that shaped Belfast.
The tour could easily be retitled, The Shipbuilder, Merchants, Whiskey Distiller’s and Poets of Belfast.
Guide(s) were informative and approachable. They brought history to life through story telling.
House is a sight to behold.
The stories at the cemetery provided insights into individuals that shaped Belfast.
The tour could easily be retitled, The Shipbuilder, Merchants, Whiskey Distiller’s and Poets of Belfast.
Written March 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NMB
Killarney, Ireland59 contributions
May 2022
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Clifton House Tour. Our guide was wonderful (forgot his name - sorry!). It's a very interesting house and for history buffs, it's a must. The cemetery tour afterwards was also very interesting. I would go again in a heartbeat and highly recommend it!
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan W
London, UK3 contributions
Sept 2021
Wonderful guided tour of Clifton House with the history of the Poor House. Highly recommended for visitors to Belfast. Just wish I was there long enough to visit the graveyard, and see Mary Anne McCracken's resting place. A wonderful woman, the city should be proud of.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much of Clifton House is wheelchair accessible?
Written October 26, 2019
There is wheelchair access, if you enquire in advance this can be accommodated. The main entrance is via stone steps, and there is a main stairway to the landing, boardroom & archive display room, but there is an alternative entrance and a lift.
Written October 27, 2019
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