Northern Ireland has just under two-hundred-and-fifty miles of coastline packed full of natural beauty, scenic drives, and stunning beaches. Whatever you’re on the lookout for, be it thrills or just the chance to chill, a short coastal break with friends or family will surely fit the bill.
From Portrush to Bushmills
Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures in life that make it all worthwhile. This corner of the world is dotted with scores of delightful, clean, and often empty, beaches where you can let yourself go and feel the sea breeze brush off the cobwebs. Portrush is one of the finest and most popular, but you will still often feel like you have the place to yourself. There’s plenty to do for surfers, including a lesson with Portrush Surf School, swimmers and those with a taste for ice-cream while fine diners should book for a meal at 55 Degrees North. This spot offers quality cooked breakfasts and also caters for lunch and dinner. After you’ve filled up here, walk it all off along the East Strand Beach which sits below the restaurant.
The nearby Whiterocks Blue Flag beach is a golden spectacle and a great place for a swim while the well-known Benone Strand, also great for a paddle, offers seven miles of soft sandy beach with spectacular views of Binevenagh mountain and the mysterious Mussenden Temple.
As evening melts over the horizon, pop into the Harbour Bar in the Ramore Complex for a nightcap before putting the head down at Blackrock House. (Winner Best B&B/Guest House at the Giant Spirit Awards 2022). This award-winning oasis of calm is minutes' from the famous Royal Portrush Golf Course and a great place to see some of the area's sites. Both Dunluce Castle and The Giant’s Causeway are minutes from here and are certainly not to be missed.
The famous Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to local legend it was built by the famous Finn McCool and these forty-thousand perfectly-formed paving stones were part of a bridge to Scotland that he used to get there to challenge a rival. Scientists suggest there might be another explanation, such as volcanic activity, but we’ll leave that debate to you.
From one bridge to another, a visit to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is a definite for the Northern Ireland bucket list. Constructed to help local fishermen cross to the island, the bridge is over two-hundred-and-fifty-years-old.
After all this adventure, you’ll be needing a strong tipple. Luckily, the oldest working whiskey distillery in the world is only down the road. Old Bushmills Distillery has been distilling their uisce beatha here for over four centuries. Find out how they do it on their distillery tour which, of course, includes samples of their fine produce. Bushmills itself is a lovely town and home to one of the quirkiest places to eat and sleep in the area. Bushmills Inn Hotel (4*) boasts fresh food, comfortable rooms and lots of cosy crannies to rest and restore the body in.
From Cushendun to Carrickfergus
Why not start the next part of your stay with a visit to the idyllic waterfall trails in Glenariff Forest Park. This place is utterly enchanting and just the ticket after your night out in Bushmills. Eagle-eyed fans of a certain Game of Thrones® are bound to recognise some of the nearby locations.
There are nods to the famous series in many corners of this area. Mary McBride’s in the scenic coastal village of Cushendun, has a special door made from the fallen trees of the nearby Dark Hedges. But you won’t be coming here for that necessarily, you’ll be coming for a pint and a bit of craic. And this beautiful little pub also has the Little Black Door restaurant just next door. Just a short stroll from the village, you’ll find the famous Cushendun Caves which though around for four-hundred-million years only recently became famous due to their appearance in… you guessed it, Game of Thrones®.
Travelling east don’t miss the nearby Cranny Falls and the much-loved local nature walk that leads to the coastal village of Carnlough. Those who take their water with a good splash of salt will be now itching to get the famous The Gobbins cliff walk - yes cliff walk! Originally built in 1902 by railway engineer, Berkeley Deane Wise, these paths, steep narrow steps and striking suspension bridges offer spectacular views along the coast of the Islandmagee peninsula.
After a day or so full of castles and thrones you’ll need a little bit of the royal treatment yourself and at Culloden Estate and Spa (5*) you’ll surely find it. Overlooking Belfast Lough, this place has to be one of the most idyllic locations on the whole island. Indulge yourself in the hotel spa before settling down for dinner in the Vespers Restaurant or Cultra Inn - two very different and quality dining experiences.
From Castle Ward to Newcastle
The splendid grounds of Castle Ward in County Down offer thirty-four kilometres of trails and walks to choose from here. The newly reopened magnificent 18th Century mansion house is worth walking around itself, offering a variety of different decorative styles and wonderful views out over the grounds and Strangford Lough. The Castle Trail leads you all the way to the 16th Century Audley’s Castle, from where you can survey the entire landscape below and the lough beyond. Other trails here will lead you through wildlife refuges that are thick with butterflies, dragonflies and a wide variety of native and migratory birds, in a magnificent parkland setting.
It’s said that Saint Patrick himself drove the unwelcome serpents into the sea and while we can’t say for sure that it happened here, there has always been a hive of activity around Strangford Lough making it as likely a spot as any. Today, you’ll find plenty to do here, including a chance to Glide with the Tide with John Hubbucks and his team of expert kayakers. John knows the Lough like the back of his hand and will guide you and your crew through its crystal-clear water, islands and inlets. For something a little bit different why not try a Sunset SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) with Outdoor Concepts. This two-hour experience is designed for people of all levels and promises a chance to relax and enjoy the great outdoors in the company of friends and over two-thousand marine species that live on the Lough.
Northern Ireland’s coast is dotted with great beaches and this part is no different. The five-mile Newcastle and Murlough Beach is a fine stretch of sand that is hugely popular for walkers, swimmers and sunbathers. It does get busy on fine days in summer but such is its size that you should have no trouble finding a little piece of your own.
Alternatively, Tyrella Beach and dune conservation area is a smaller and more private spot within Dundrum Bay offering just two miles of flat sandy beach. There are, however, twenty-five hectares of mature dunes offering scenic walks and something a little different.
Why not finish off your break with a visit to Tollymore Forest Park in the heart of the Mournes. Walkers can choose from four trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Keep it short and sweet, on the half-mile Arboretum Path past some of Ireland’s largest trees or stretch yourself a little on the three-mile River Trail along the Shimna River. There are of course bigger challenges, and you might need more time to tackle the eight-mile Mountain and Drinns Trail through the Mournes or the mammoth twenty-six-mile Mourne Way.
After one of these short coastal breaks to Northern Ireland, we’re pretty sure you’ll be back soon enough. And we look forward to seeing you again. Northern Ireland has just under two-hundred-and-fifty miles of coastline packed full of natural beauty, scenic drives, and stunning beaches. Whatever you’re on the lookout for, be it thrills or just the chance to chill, a short coastal break with friends or family will surely fit the bill.
Join a group lesson on your own or with your friends, for a full 2 hours of water time in waist depth water. Fun at the beach guaranteed.
55 Degrees North is a Modern Family run restaurant established in 2005, set in the heart of coastal Portrush with breathtaking views overlooking the Skerries Islands, East Strand and Scotland. There is also a Bistro and Coffee Shop downstairs.
East Strand Beach in Portrush is a famously golden sandy beach, with views of The Skerries and Causeway headlands. This is a popular destination for groups of families and friends, with lots of great seaside facilities to enjoy.
A regular recipient of the prestigious Blue Flag Award, Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for international visitors.
Benone Strand, multiple recipient of the European Blue Flag and Seaside Award, is a must-see when visiting the area. With seven miles of golden sand and a magnificent back drop of mountain and cliff scenery and stunning views.
Mussenden Temple is located in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near Castlerock in County Londonderry. Awe inspiring views, colourful gardens and woodland walks.
A feast for the senses is the fine Harbour Bar. This buzzing pub is a perfect pit stop to enjoy renowned pints of Guinness, a selection of the best gins and spirits around. With great views overlooking Portrush harbour there's no better place to enjoy the craic and meet new people.
Blackrock House offers boutique 5* B&B accommodation that fuses modern style with authentic coastal living so you stay by the sea in style! Guests will enjoy sweeping views across sandy beaches, windswept headlands and the Atlantic Ocean.
Founded in 1888, the legendary Royal Portrush Golf Club has two Championship Courses - the renowned Dunluce Course and the smaller, but equally enjoyable Valley Course. Proud Hosts of The 148th Open in 2019.
Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, along the North County Antrim coast.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it.
Carrick-a-Rede one of Northern Ireland’s most loved attractions in Northern Ireland, cared for by the National Trust, a registered conservation charity founded to protect beautiful and special places for ever, for everyone.
In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very particular licence to this small village, just a few miles inland from Ireland’s rugged north coast. The licence gave Bushmills the right to distil whiskey. Today, Bushmills is home to the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world.
The Bushmills Inn is a luxury Hotel with an AA Rosette restaurant in the heart of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast. One of Ireland’s most well known luxurious hotels, The Bushmills Inn boasts open turf fires, gas lights and hidden nooks & crannies.
Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, is one of the nine Antrim Glens in Northern Ireland. Glenariff Forest Park covers over 1,000 hectares with planted woodland, lakes, outdoor recreation spaces and conservation areas.
Mary's is a traditional Irish pub with lots of history and stories to be told. Come along and enjoy a homemade meal and a pint of Guinness. Our menu offers something for everyone whether it's our steak and Guinness pie or our delicious Cock and Bull.
This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. Thronies will recognise these as the Dark Hedges from HBO's Game of Thrones.
On the thrilling Gobbins Experience, nature isn’t content to just sit back and be admired. It completely engulfs you: from the all-enveloping Irish Sea winds and the dolphins dancing off the coastline. Pull on your walking boots and enjoy this 2.5-hour walking tour through tunnels and bridges with the waves crashing at your feet.
Standing high on the wooded slopes of the Holywood hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the Co. Antrim coastline, is the magnificent Culloden Estate and Spa, one of the most prestigious 5 star hotels in Northern Ireland.
Vespers is one of the finest restaurants in Northern Ireland. It serves modern Irish Cuisine using only the finest and freshest local ingredients.
We pride ourselves on our high standard of food and service. Using only the finest local produce our wholesome menu has been created by our Head Chef, Mark McMahon, to satisfy all your culinary needs.
Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and the shoreline.
The castle dates probably from around the 15th century, but the early history is unknown. This site was used for filming a scene for Game of Thrones®.
Taking out a kayak is beautiful way to explore Strangford Lough, and with John Hubbucks as your guide you're in for a rewarding and unique experience that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
The possibilities for adventure in Northern Ireland are endless - how about canoeing along one of the award-winning canoe trails? Or jumping into rock pools in Newcastle? Or perhaps mountain biking and rock climbing in the world famous Mourne Mountains?
This 5 mile stretch of golden sands is still the essence of the resort and is hugely popular for swimming, sunbathing and other forms of recreation.
Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.
Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.
