Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

Antrim Coast Road: The Antrim Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is a wild and untamed place that’ll make you feel like you’re on an adventure. It’s got this incredible landscape that’s just breathtaking, and there are these amazing stories about the coastline that are like legends. And the people you meet along the way are just so warm and friendly.

If you ever find that special magic of Northern Ireland, embrace it and let it wake something up inside you. There’s so much to see along the Causeway Coastal Route that it even ranked as the Number 1 Region in the World to visit in 2018, and Europcar put it in their top 4 best road trips in the UK in 2024. So, let’s take it all in, one step at a time. 

Carnlough Village: Nestled at the foot of Glencoy, one of the nine Glens of Antrim, and on the shores of Carnlough Bay, this cozy and compact harbour is the heart of Carnlough village.

Boaters of all kinds, from pleasure vessels to small fishing boats, enjoy the harbour. And if you’re into sea angling, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here. Carnlough Bay Boat Tours also offers pleasure cruises.

Carnlough Harbour is a must-see stop on the Causeway Coastal Route for Game of Thrones fans. You’ll recognise the stony staircase leading down to the sea, filmed as part of the Free City of Braavos Canal. Arya Stark crawled up from the waters after being stabbed by the Waif in Season 6.

The harbour was originally built by a local landowner named Phil Gibbons and later extended by the Marchioness of Londonderry in the early 1900s. As the owner of large collieries in Durham, England, where she mostly lived, she saw the need for a harbour to handle Carnlough’s growing limestone export trade. You can learn more about the Marchioness and Carnlough’s unique industrial history at the Heritage Hub in Carnlough Town Hall.

On a harbour wall, you’ll find a special memorial plaque to ‘Paddy the Pigeon.’ Paddy was one of 30 pigeons used by the Royal Air Force during World War II to deliver coded messages across the Channel during the Normandy landings of 1944.

He set a record for the fastest crossing, just under five hours! His owner was from Carnlough, and Paddy the pigeon received the PDSA Dickin Medal for bravery, which is like the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. Paddy lived for 11 years and is still the only Irish recipient of the medal.

Causeway Coastline Views: We travel along the Causeway Coastal route between Ballycastle and Dunluce to experience one of the most dramatic drives in the world, now rated as one of the world’s top 5 great road journeys.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: One of the most visited places in Northern Ireland amazing Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge where you can cross a bridge that spans a chasm over 75ft in height. (Please note that the Carrick-A-Rede Rope bridge may sometimes be closed due to weather conditions or repairs.

There will be a 1-mile walk from the car park to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge if you have mobility issues, have small children, or use a stroller that can’t handle unpaved pathways.

If you wish to cross the bridge you will need to pre-book your ticket. if you do not wish to cross, we can stop at the viewing point for photos.

White Park Bay: Whitepark Bay beach is a stunning sight! It’s a white arc between two headlands on the North Antrim coast. Even on a busy day, there’s plenty of space to relax and enjoy the scenery.

But there’s one thing to keep in mind: the beach isn’t safe for swimming because of dangerous rip currents.

The beach is home to ancient dunes that support a variety of habitats. It’s a haven for wildlife, with butterflies, orchids, birds, otters, and sea life all making their home there.

So, come on down and enjoy the lazy summer days, have a picnic, build sandcastles, and take a long walk. You’ll find that even on a busy day, this is a secluded and relaxing place to be. Keep an eye out for the Elephant Rock – it’s a must-see!

Oh, and did you know there are cows on the beach? They’re some of the most photographed cows in Northern Ireland. They wander around the beach, and they end up in lots of people’s selfies and social media posts. But they’re not just there for a fun photo op. The cattle play a special role in conserving the sand dunes around the beach.

Giants Causeway: Commonly called ‘the 8th wonder of the world, is the only World Heritage site in Ireland. During our stop here you can spend time climbing over the ancient stones, snapping photos, and reflecting on the myths and legends of this unique area. You will only need to pre-book tickets if you wish to go through the visitor’s Centre, if not your guide will show you the free entrance.

Lunch Stop: I suggest Bushmills Village for your lunch stop. Here you can choose from fine dining at Bushmills Inn restaurant, freshly made sandwiches, pastries and homecooked food in the local cafes or locally sourced fish and chips at Hip Chip. Please keep in mind lunch is not included.

Old Bushmills Distillery:

In 1608, the legend of Bushmills was born. That year, King James I granted a unique license to this small village, situated a few miles inland from Northern Ireland’s rugged north coast. The license granted Bushmills the exclusive right to distill whiskey. Today, Bushmills stands as the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery.

Over four centuries later, the distillery continues to craft whiskey in Bushmills. They remain steadfast in their use of Irish barley and the distinctive water from their own stream. Four centuries of craftsmanship and experience have ensured that these whiskeys are among the most celebrated and highly sought after globally. As master distiller Colum Egan aptly states, “We are not old because we are good; we are old because we are good.”

Dunluce Castle:

Dunluce Castle, renowned for its picturesque beauty and romantic allure, stands as a testament to Ireland’s rich history. With evidence of settlement dating back to the first millennium, the present castle ruins primarily date from the 16th and 17th centuries. This historic site was once inhabited by the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans.

Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for the public’s enjoyment. However, during extreme weather conditions, the site may be closed to prioritise the health and safety of staff and visitors. In the event of uncertainty, it is advisable to contact the castle directly via the provided number to ascertain whether normal opening hours can be accommodated before visiting the site.

Winter opening hours (18th November 2024 – 16th February 2025): Daily 9am – 4pm. Summer opening hours (17th February 2025 – 16th November 2025): Daily 9.30am to 5pm.

The Dark Hedges: This stunning avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family way back in the 18th century. They wanted to create a breathtaking landscape feature that would wow visitors as they approached their grand Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. And guess what? Two centuries later, these trees are still standing tall and have become one of the most photographed natural wonders in Northern Ireland!

These iconic beech trees have even made it to the big screen! They’ve been featured in HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones®, where they represent the famous Kingsroad. In fact, there’s even a scene in Season 2, Episode 1 called ‘The North Remembers’ where Arya Stark escapes from King’s Landing disguised as a boy. She’s traveling north on the Kingsroad with Yoren, Gendry, Hot Pie, and others who are joining the Night’s Watch. It’s a pretty epic moment!