Ballycastle
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge · Photo: Bernard Ladenthin
Two days on the north-east coast. Day one crosses Carrick-a-Rede and explores hidden harbours and beaches; day two heads into the Glens of Antrim for a riverside walk, a bucket-and-spade stop and a castle garden.
Adventure · 10:00–11:30 (1h30m)
Book ahead; allow time for the clifftop walk each way before the crossing.
A National Trust clifftop walk ending at a swaying rope bridge 30m above the sea, slung across to a tiny island once used by salmon fishermen. The walk out is about 1km each way with steps, and the crossing itself is short but exposed.
Photo: Bernard Ladenthin
Nature & gardens · 11:45–12:45 (1h)
Lunch at the harbour café and explore the rock pools.
A tiny fishing harbour at the foot of a steep, winding lane, surrounded by sea stacks, rock pools and a raised beach. There is a café beside the car park, and it makes a free, scenic pause after Carrick-a-Rede.
Photo: Bob Jones
Nature & gardens · 13:15–14:45 (1h30m)
Steep steps down, then a wide, quiet beach to explore.
An outdoor beach in Ballycastle.
Photo: nationaltrust.org.uk
Nature & gardens · 15:30–17:00 (1h30m)
Easy town beach to end the day near your base.
An outdoor beach in Ballycastle.
Nature & gardens · 10:00–11:30 (1h30m)
Follow the river up the glen from Waterfoot village.
A 3km linear riverside path from Waterfoot village up the Glenariff valley, the 'Queen of the Glens', with views of the flat-topped Lurigethan. It can be extended up the glen to Glenariff Forest Park's waterfall walks.
Nature & gardens · 11:45–12:45 (1h)
Play areas and sand side by side; picnic lunch.
An outdoor beach in Ballymena.
Photo: Kenneth Allen
Castle · 13:15–15:00 (1h45m)
Walled garden, castle trail and the tea room.
An indoor and outdoor castle in Glenarm, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Photo: GlenarmCastle
Northern IrelandBelfast
Spend a rainy day under cover in Belfast's shipbuilding quarter. Start with the story of Titanic, grab lunch from the food stalls at a Victorian market hall, then climb aboard a real First World War warship.
Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic → St George's Market → HMS Caroline
Northern IrelandEnniskillen
A Fermanagh day that works in any weather: a guided tour through underground rivers at the Marble Arch Caves, a walk round Florence Court's walled garden and sawmill, then a castle museum back in Enniskillen.
Marble Arch Caves → Florence Court → Fermanagh County Museum
Northern IrelandArmagh
Armagh packs a lot into a small city: a planetarium show and the Astropark, a picnic and play in the free Palace Demesne, then the ancient royal site of Navan Fort with its Iron Age characters.
Armagh Planetarium → Palace Stables Heritage Centre → Navan Centre and Fort
