Car-free Belfast & the Causeway Coast

Your first base is the Northern capital of Belfast.

Your accommodation in Belfast

Within a stone’s throw of the Botanic Gardens in the swish University district, this award-winning residence set in a repurposed ex-merchant’s mansion, is a wonderfully Northern Irish place to stay. Each of the 16 themed and grandly appointed bedrooms tells the story of a different Ulster native, including C.S. Lewis, Van Morrison and Samuel Beckett. Breath-taking attention to detail is evident throughout, from dazzling decoration to a carefully curated selection of antiques and art from your proprietor’s personal collection.

Today you will explore the political history and view the famous murals, with a chance to understand some more of the more recent history of Belfast.

During your free time this afternoon, you could visit The Cathedral quarter is the historic cultural heartland of the city, whereas the Titanic Quarter of east Belfast – where the legendary liner was built – is full of reminders of a proud maritime and industrial past. Here the brand new, state of the art, Titanic Visitor Experience is a must visit destination and a suitable memorial to the tragedy of 100 years ago. Other must-see destinations range from the grand Victorian City Hall to Stormont, the home of government; from the Ulster Museum – where the Girona exhibition of Spanish Armada Gold is unmissable – to historic pubs such as the Crown Liquor saloon – a rather unique National Trust property.

The holiday continues from Belfast on a leisurely train journey northwards to Coleraine, from where a taxi will transfer you to your hotel, and base for the next three nights, in the town of Bushmills. In the evening you can relax, enjoy fine wine, great food and maybe some lively traditional Irish music playing in the front bar.

Your Hotel

Centuries of history exude from the old timber beams and rough plaster walls of this landmark inn. At its heart is the gaslit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric with individual character and attention to detail to a design in keeping with the building’s charm.

Start off with a marvellous breakfast to set you up for the day ahead, for the complete experience try the ‘full Irish’, including the local delicacy of ‘potato bread’. This morning you will take the narrow gauge steam train*, starting only a few hundred yards from the hotel to an incredible world heritage site – The Giant’s Causeway. This stunning geological formation, with distinctive columns of almost uniformly shaped basalt rock, is part of a landscape that’s bound to send the imagination racing. Steeped in history and folklore, this part of the Irish coastline has been captivating visitors for hundreds of years.

Travelling back on the train to Bushmills you have a choice of activities – maybe visit the famous Bushmills Distillery, producers of some of the finest Irish Whiskey or if it is a pleasant day, perhaps hire a bicycle and explore some of this stunning countryside and coastline for yourself.

*The steam train operates daily July & August, at weekends only June & September. Alternative bus transport is always available.

There is so much more to the Causeway Coast than just the Giant’s Causeway itself. Today a local driver will take you to some of the many other magnificent sites including the much photographed Dunluce Castle – once the ancient seat of the Earl of Antrim – and also Carrick-a-Rede. Here those wanting to test their nerve can do so on an exhilarating rope bridge, which until recently served as a means of access for local fishermen to a salmon fishing station perched high on a rocky outcrop.

On your final day spend some time in the comforts of your fantastic hotel, maybe taking a stroll in the locality and alongside the river Bush. It’s then just a quick taxi journey back along the coast to meet your train and your short trip back to Belfast for your onward journey connections.