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1, The Dark Hedges – 7 mins by car
The memorable beech tree-lined avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum. They were originally planted in about 1775 when James Stuart built a new house, named Gracehill House after his wife Grace Lynd. Over 150 beech trees were planted along the entrance road to the estate, to create an imposing approach. According to legend a ghost called Lady Gray visits the hedges. She travels the road and darts from one tree to the next. She is thought to be either the spirit of James Stuart’s daughter (named “Cross Peggy”) or one of the house’s maids who died mysteriously or a spirit from an abandoned graveyard beneath the fields.
It has recently been used as a film location for The Game of Thrones where Arya and Gendry fled from King’s Landing. They have also been used in the Transformers film The Last Knight.
2, Giant’s Causeway – 25 mins by car
Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO Heritage Site is a geological phenomenon of 40,000 basalt hexagonal columns. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by breathtaking cliffs. According to legend, the columns were built by a giant called Finn MacCool when he was challenged to fight a Scottish giant Benandonner. However, Finn hears that Benandonner is a much larger giant and he asks his wife Sadhbh to disguise Finn as a baby and tucks him into a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the “baby”, he reckons that its father, Finn, must be a giant among giants. He flees back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him.
Learn about the history and legend while visiting the award-winning Visitor Centre. Booking is essential. To find out more visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway
3, The Gobbins – 1 hour by car
Experience the exciting Gobbins Experience in Islandmagee. A great place to discover nature as you journey through the narrow paths and tunnels at the edge of the cliff face.
The Gobbins is a cliff-face path at Islandmagee, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the Causeway Coastal Route. It runs across bridges, past caves and through a tunnel, along The Gobbins cliffs (Irish: Gobán meaning “tip/point of land” or “headland”). The cliffs are recognised for their rich birdlife, important geology and notable species.
The Gobbins was created by an Irish railway engineer called Berkeley Deane Wise. He designed and built the path as a tourist attraction for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Company. The path first opened to the public in 1902, with visitors paying 6d to enjoy a ‘perfect marvel of engineering’. However, the railway company got into financial difficulties during the 1930s and the unkept path was closed in the run-up to World War II. From 2011-2015 Larne Borough Council led a project to reopen The Gobbins. A series of new bridges and galleries were constructed and installed during 2014–15 and it was successfully reopened in 2016.
Booking is essential. To find out more visit: https://thegobbinscliffpath.com/
4, Glenarm Castle – 46 mins by car
There has been a castle at Glenarm since the 13th century, where it resides at the heart of one of Northern Ireland’s oldest estates. The present castle was built by Sir Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, in 1636, and it has remained in the family since its construction. It is currently owned by Randal McDonnell, 10th Earl of Antrim. The McDonnells have been in Glenarm for nearly 600 years and the Estate has been in the family for 400 years.
The Castle’s Walled Garden is open to the public and hosts many events. Visit the enchanting gardens or book a guided tour of the castle. Kids will be thrilled by the Mini Landrover Experience.
To find out more visit: https://glenarmcastle.com
5, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – 20 mins by car
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a bridge that links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede (from Irish: Carraig a’ Ráid, meaning ‘rock of the casting’). It spans 20 metres (66 ft) and is 30 metres (98 ft) above the rocks below. It is thought salmon fishermen have been building bridges to the island for over 350 years. Many people come from afar to cross the bridge to the small fishermen’s island.
To find out more visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carrick-a-rede
6, Glenariff Forest – 30 mins by car
Glenariff is one of the grand Glens of Antrim and its forest park is over 1000 hectares with woodlands, lakes and waterfalls. It is great for walks, riding and tours. The Waterfall Walkway opened 80 years; it is a wooden boardwalk following the river as it winds through the majestic rocks. The rocky gorges of the river support a wide range of mosses, liverworts and ferns. The ‘Ess-Na-Crub waterfall’ is spectacular!! The name ‘Ess-Na-Crub’ means ‘the fall of the hooves’. Glenariff derived its name from the Irish name Gleann Aireamh, meaning the “valley of the ploughman”.
To find out more visit: https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/glenariff-forest-park-p675061
7, Rathlin Island – 13 mins by car to Ballycastle Harbour
Rathlin Island is an island of breathtaking scenery, wildlife, many species of birds, and some rare types of flora. It has three lighthouses but still manages to have a splendid collection of historic shipwrecks around the coast. Seals can generally be seen basking on the rocks.
It sits off the north coast of Ireland approximately 2.25 miles from Fair Head. It is also the closest point to Scotland and is 11 miles from the Mull of Kintyre. It is roughly seven miles in length and covers a total area of 3500 acres. Rathlin was probably the first Irish island to become inhabited, it is presumed man arrived here somewhere between 6000 – 5000 BC from Scotland.
Folklore tells a story of an Enchanted Island of Rathlin that is supposed to appear from the sea once every seven years. The story says that if you lift some soil or a pebble from under your feet and can throw it onto the island then it will never sink back under the sea again.
Take the ferry from Ballycastle for a day trip to explore all that it has to offer… maybe even catch a glance at the Enchanted Island!
To find out more visit: http://www.rathlin-island.co.uk/index.html
8, Bushmills Distillery – 17 mins by car
Bushmills is home to the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Official records stretch back to 1608 when the area was granted its license to distil. Over 400 years later, whiskey is still being made in Bushmills, thanks to experience and craft passed down from generation to generation.
Pay a visit to Bushmills Distillery to see how they continue to triple distil 100% malted barley in copper pot stills to make single malt whiskey.
To find out more visit: https://www.bushmills.eu/
9, Carnfunnock Country Park – 1 hour by car
This park is over 191 hectares and has woodland, and delightful gardens. It is situated along the coast and has magnificent views of the Antrim Coast.
The walled garden with its unique sundials and wooden sculptures is open all year round along with a maritime themed outdoor adventure playground, golf driving range, way-marked walks, orienteering course, geocaching, public toilets and picnic sites. Original estate features also remain including the ice house and lime kilns.
From March / April to October there are attractions to suit all ages: a maze in the shape of Northern Ireland, a family fun zone with a miniature railway, bouncy castle, bungee run, remote control boats / trucks, bungee trampolines, WOW balls and 18 hole mini golf course; a children’s activity centre with snack stop, outdoor games including putting, table tennis, giant chess and draughts; face painting and glitter tattoos; 9 hole golf course; barbecue areas and a modern visitor centre with gift shop and coffee shop.
A fantastic way to spend a day out with the family!
To find out more visit: https://carnfunnock.com/
10, Ballycastle – 16 mins by car
Ballycastle is a harbour town and holiday resort on the eastern end of the Causeway Coast. It’s a bustling town with a family-friendly promenade, a good bucket-and-spade beach and a thriving food scene. Ballycastle is famous for its Lammas Fair, which is held every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August when many thousands of people visit to buy and take in the atmosphere of the fair. They buy the two special Ballycastle treats, dulse, an edible seaweed and yellow man which is a yellow sweet that is very hard. Ferries to Rathlin Island depart its harbour. Above the harbour there is a memorial to Guglielmo Marconi. In 1898, Marconi made the first radio transmission in the world from Ballycastle to the East Lighthouse on Rathlin Island.
The Ferns is a spacious self-catering property run by husband-and-wife team Will and Lesley-Ann Gray. It is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the village of Armoy and is only a 5-minute walk to all the local amenities including shops, restaurants, bars, post office and petrol station.