Northern Ireland / Giants Causeway trip... any suggestions?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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Have got some time coming up in Nothern Ireland, will have a car so planning a trip to the Causeway and travel around the coast.

Is the Causeway visitor centre worth going to or is it a naff tourist trap?

Any suggestions of things to see?

I notice a few old churches and and nice beaches scattered around the coast.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.
 
There's not much to the visitors centre really other than where you get your tickets and a gift shop etc ;) lol but the causeway itself is definitely worth it :)

When I took my mum and sis a couple of years ago we took the quick route there but the coastal road on the way back. If you're driving though you won't get to see the scenery as much. (I'd seen it previously so wanted them both to enjoy it too, unfortunately they fell asleep for most of it :rolleyes::p)

There's also Carrickfergus castle which is a nice spot to stroll around, especially in good weather. There is also a place you can park up and stroll along the coast, I think a few miles down from the castle.

Dark hedges was good if you've got time for that.
Depending on how long you're there you could even visit the places where they turned the fallen trees into GoT themed doors. I think from what I read most are in pubs. (Depending on the situation with covid)
 
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Although Carrickfergus castle is currently closed due to Covid apparently, which seems to be kicking off big time in the north of Ireland so just take that in to account during your travels...
 
Uther said:
Although Carrickfergus castle is currently closed due to Covid apparently, which seems to be kicking off big time in the north of Ireland so just take that in to account during your travels...
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Ah yeah didn't think about that. Carrickfergus is still a nice area to stroll along the coast though (weather permitting lol)
 
Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, the rope bridge is closed owing to covid. I did want to do that :(

Do you have to pay to walk along the Causeway coast?

We have approximately 10 hours to do as we please so will be a "mad dash" but I think we can do what we want to get a taster.
 
Causeway costs nothing. Payment mostly seems to be for parking, and like most places in the UK they purposely make it so you can't park anywhere else. Not a problem when I was there on a motorcycle though.

If you want a walk, going south is probably better and do the 20km (or part of it) along Moher. Can't say I was that impressed with much of the north especially the towns which are on par with run down parts of England and Wales. The Smiwthwicks is only £3.50 a pint though, so not all bad ;)
 
I believe that you can walk round or to the side of the visitor centre without paying to get into it, but its not obvious that this is possible as they try and make everyone go through the visitor centre. I think you still have to pay parking. I've asked my sister in law if this is still the case as she lives down the road.

Edit - sister in law says you can
 
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You could try a tour Bushmills Distillery if that is not closed due to Covid. Dunluce Castle, I think you can walk round that.
 
iamdjdz said:
I believe that you can walk round or to the side of the visitor centre without paying to get into it, but its not obvious that this is possible as they try and make everyone go through the visitor centre. I think you still have to pay parking. I've asked my sister in law if this is still the case as she lives down the road.

Edit - sister in law says you can
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Top notch.

Thank you for asking.

Any ideas if you can pay for parking by itself at the visitor centre or anywhere else you can park nearby, paid or not.
 
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Gimpymoo said:
Top notch.

Thank you for asking.

Any ideas if you can pay for parking by itself at the visitor centre or anywhere else you can park nearby, paid or not.
Click to expand...

I think you can just say you're going to have lunch at the hotel and they don't charge but don't quote me on that. Otherwise the train station car park is £6 or something for the day. Surrounding roads are very geared against parking and are pretty tight anyway.
 
Had a great day Yesterday.. weather was very kind to us and a great first time in Northern Ireland.

We went to:

Giants Causeway
Portrush
Castlerock
CS Lewis park in Belfast and had a walk around to see some of the Murals in Newtownards and see the Titanic Yardmen sculpture.

I thought Castlerock was beautiful, unspoilt, not over commercialised. Will definitely go back to spend some more time around there.

The Causeway is a great place, HOWEVER, something about the National Trust as "custodians" grinds my nuts. They do not allow "parking" only. The guy said "You can pay £33 for the family" (Visitor centre pass with free parking).... yeah, OK. Oddly, everyone else we met on the day was nice to talk to but I cannot say the same for those at The National Trust. I am certain some people just pay as they think that is just how it is not realising it is open countryside, especially foreign tourists. There is a severe lack of signage for those unfamiliar.

We went to Bushmills railway and paid £8 and walked up to the causeway from there, we went on the route which takes you along the top and normally, you can drop down the hill but that path is closed owing to covid/people being close proximity so we walked back and took the lower path. The staff at Bushmills Railway were super friendly.

Also... what is the deal with the peas? We got some fish and chips which were great... but the peas were not mushy... a local thing or just a crap chip shop thing?
 
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