Car free winter adventures on the Causeway Coast

Let Portrush be your key to opening an amazing day trip along the coastline of Northern Ireland, catching the sustainable 402 Causeway Rambler bus.   

First up is Dunluce Castle, perched on top of a magnificent cliff edge overlooking the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura. Its weathered stone walls seem to be full of old secrets. The rugged coast, salt air and cold wind just add to the mystifying atmosphere. A friendly bit of local knowledge is to arrive early, it opens at 9:30am and costs £6, this maximises your experience and avoids the crowds. Take the 9:02 bus from Portrush to arrive for gates opening.

Hopping back on the Causeway Rambler, only 5 minutes down the road is the Old Bushmills Distillery which, licensed in 1608, is arguably the oldest in the world. Upon entry you will be taken aback by their shop, the scent of malt and the instruments used to produce such whiskey, its iconic secret recipe has put Bushmills on the world stage. The deeper you explore the more you understand their infamous history. The distillery offers exploration of the bars and shop for free but also hosts tours starting as early as 10 AM, running every other hour and costing £15. Tour guides do a great job of spinning tales about the whiskey and its story in the small town of Bushmills. It would be a shame to not stop at the bar and have a wee dram.

Next up was Maegden cafe for lunch. It feels like coming home, to a place that has great cheese toasties and an array of local meats, cheeses, and fruit. It’s a small place yet they make up for it with their great love for what Northern Irish farming and food has to offer. It is the ideal pit stop in the middle of your exploration. It is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

After a short bus trip you arrive at Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. The bridge holds views that take your breath away. Upon that cliff top with the sea as far as the eye can gander and wind playing around you, you can't help but feel a bit awestruck. Even on weathersome days when the bridge is closed there is still an amazing walk along the coast which holds great views of Scotland. Keep an eye out for the colour of the ocean beneath the cliffs, the blues and turquoise married to the crashing waves make this place very special. The walk to the bridge only takes around 30 minutes and is enjoyed by people of all ages. The bridge opens at 10 AM with a starting price of £10.

At night the Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy is a class spot for a bite to eat. Nestled in the village and a short walk from Carrick-A-Rede, relax over a giant pot of mussels and a pint. The space is filled with laughter and it is easy to strike up a conversation with tourists and locals alike. Fullerton Arms is not only a local pub but also a wonderful place to spend the night with multiple, newly renovated, rooms upstairs. These include ‘humans only’ and ‘dog friendly’ options.

The last bus back to Portrush is at 6.50pm and picks you up from the Gospel Hall in Ballintoy only 2 minutes walk from the pub.

As the day winds down, the journey back to Portrush offers a quiet moment to take it all in. Travelling by bus makes it easy to enjoy the north coast without rushing, with each stop offering something a little different along the way. From historic sites and local food to coastal walks and a friendly pub at the end of the day, it’s a simple and rewarding way to discover this part of Northern Ireland, one that suits both visitors and locals looking for an easy day out by the sea.