The Sensory Submarine at The Burnavon

What to Expect

The Sensory Submarine runs at The Burnavon in Cookstown across three Saturday mornings in September 2026, starting at 10am on Saturday 12 September and repeating on 19 and 26 September. Each session is built for children from 6 months to 5 years and packs in messy play, movement, games, songs, arts and crafts and what the venue calls sensory adventures.

The programme is explicitly inclusive rather than sensory-themed as a gimmick: every session is autism friendly, and the aim as the venue describes it is “a playful, inclusive and welcoming space where little ones can explore, create, learn, and thrive together”, designed for children of all abilities together in the same room. One practical point that catches people out is the ticketing. Only the child needs a ticket at £8, but a parent or carer must stay with them for the whole session, so this is not a drop-off activity.

Good to Know

• Next session: Saturday 12 September 2026, 10am
• Also running Saturday 19 September and Saturday 26 September 2026
• Venue: The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown
• Age range: 6 months to 5 years
• Price: £8 per child, no charge for the accompanying adult
• Parents and carers must remain present throughout the session
• All sessions are autism friendly
• Booking: burnavon.com or the box office on 028 8676 9949
• Dress children in clothes that can take messy play

Getting There

The Burnavon is on Burn Road in Cookstown, just off the town’s wide main street and within a couple of minutes’ walk of the shops and cafes. Cookstown is on the A29 between Dungannon and Magherafelt and on the A505 from Omagh, about 45 miles from Belfast, 20 from Dungannon and 30 from Omagh. There is a car park at the Burnavon itself plus town centre parking on Molesworth Street, and Saturday mornings are the busiest time in Cookstown so allow a few extra minutes. Ulsterbus services reach Cookstown from Belfast, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Omagh and Coalisland.