Good driving road in and around Belfast N.Ireland
Discussion
So the other half and I are attending a wedding in Slieve Donard, Newcastle which is 1hour drive south of Belfast.
We are getting the Ferry across from Cairnryan on the Thursday night. Staying overnight in Belfast, going down to the wedding on the Friday then Saturday we are driving back up to Templepatrick, north of Belfast and have a half day Sunday too.
Will be in the Range Rover so amazing fast roads I suppose aren't really high up on the list but in general what good scenic roads are there to do from Newcastle up through Belfast to Templepatrick and around this area?
I've always been intrigued by Lough Neagh? It looks bloody massive, anything nice to do around this?
Also Giants Causeway? How far away and any tips?
Thanks
We are getting the Ferry across from Cairnryan on the Thursday night. Staying overnight in Belfast, going down to the wedding on the Friday then Saturday we are driving back up to Templepatrick, north of Belfast and have a half day Sunday too.
Will be in the Range Rover so amazing fast roads I suppose aren't really high up on the list but in general what good scenic roads are there to do from Newcastle up through Belfast to Templepatrick and around this area?
I've always been intrigued by Lough Neagh? It looks bloody massive, anything nice to do around this?
Also Giants Causeway? How far away and any tips?
Thanks
The are plenty of good roads and scenic routes if you have time to cover them. I don't know the Newcastle area well but if you follow your nose into the mountains I'm sure you get to a decent viewpoint eventually. It depends how much time you have before/after the wedding. To get there from Belfast I would recommend sticking to the main road.
If you want a good road to go see the Giant's Causeway then go from Templepatrick to Larne then follow the coast road right up to the north coast and use the main roads to come home.
A few tourist things to do on a day out are listed below.
On the way around the coast road you will see Scotland if it's clear and you can detour to see:
Torr Head - before Ballycastle, steep, narrow roads on the approach to this but the views are great.
Kinbane Castle - not many ruins left and a few steps to get down so don't take anyone lazy. Once you're there it's a great view point and you can walk right to a (small) cliff edge on the sea. This is a hidden gem that not even many locals know to visit.
Giant's Causeway - if you have legs, don't pay to park (but you then won't get into the gift shop). You can either park on a grass verge about 300m on the road beyond the main entrance and walk back or walk through a farm gate and up a lane which will take you into the causeway (top of the lane turn right to follow the main path). An alternative is to park at Portballintre beach and walk along the beach and heritage railway which goes to the Giant's Causeway entrance. Longer walk but worth it if you have time.
Bushmills Distillery - interesting tours which last approx 45mins.
Roughan's, Portstewart - good ice cream.
Downhill/Benone beach - really long beach that you can drive a car onto. In the same area as...
Mussenden Temple - Google it.
Binevenagh mountain - you can drive right out to a lake and walk along a cliff edge for amazing views. Often you'll see gliders flying at or below the cliff level. I can show you the exact area on a map if interested. (Another hidden gem which is recommended if you're in the area).
There's a very new coastal walking path called The Gobbins on which looks interesting but I've not been yet. It's a bit out of the way to the rest of the north coast attractions.
Sorry I didn't mention many roads but if you get around to this list you'll see plenty. Unfortunately there isn't a lot to do around Lough Neagh but Antrim castle gardens is acceptable for a short walk. Since you're near Antrim I highly recommend Zara's Indian restaurant. The owner is amazingly friendly and the food is superb. Also get a look at the police station and compare it to a typical English one.
Fell free to ask any questions about the above.
If you want a good road to go see the Giant's Causeway then go from Templepatrick to Larne then follow the coast road right up to the north coast and use the main roads to come home.
A few tourist things to do on a day out are listed below.
On the way around the coast road you will see Scotland if it's clear and you can detour to see:
Torr Head - before Ballycastle, steep, narrow roads on the approach to this but the views are great.
Kinbane Castle - not many ruins left and a few steps to get down so don't take anyone lazy. Once you're there it's a great view point and you can walk right to a (small) cliff edge on the sea. This is a hidden gem that not even many locals know to visit.
Giant's Causeway - if you have legs, don't pay to park (but you then won't get into the gift shop). You can either park on a grass verge about 300m on the road beyond the main entrance and walk back or walk through a farm gate and up a lane which will take you into the causeway (top of the lane turn right to follow the main path). An alternative is to park at Portballintre beach and walk along the beach and heritage railway which goes to the Giant's Causeway entrance. Longer walk but worth it if you have time.
Bushmills Distillery - interesting tours which last approx 45mins.
Roughan's, Portstewart - good ice cream.
Downhill/Benone beach - really long beach that you can drive a car onto. In the same area as...
Mussenden Temple - Google it.
Binevenagh mountain - you can drive right out to a lake and walk along a cliff edge for amazing views. Often you'll see gliders flying at or below the cliff level. I can show you the exact area on a map if interested. (Another hidden gem which is recommended if you're in the area).
There's a very new coastal walking path called The Gobbins on which looks interesting but I've not been yet. It's a bit out of the way to the rest of the north coast attractions.
Sorry I didn't mention many roads but if you get around to this list you'll see plenty. Unfortunately there isn't a lot to do around Lough Neagh but Antrim castle gardens is acceptable for a short walk. Since you're near Antrim I highly recommend Zara's Indian restaurant. The owner is amazingly friendly and the food is superb. Also get a look at the police station and compare it to a typical English one.
Fell free to ask any questions about the above.
I really enjoyed the road to Torr Head - narrow,yes, but twisty and very undulating too. Helped that I was behind another car so no sighting for me and I stayed well back so that he knew I wasn't going to want to pass and to take any pressure off him. Very steep roads and bends in places.
IIRC it's free to park in the NT Visitor Car Park at Giants Causeway, but they charge for entry to the centre/toilets. If you park up you can walk through the tunnel to the Causeway which I believe is a public right of way. The staff in the car park and centre will try and direct you to pay to visit the centre. Even though I am a NT member I wanted to visit the rock formation first and they were a little shirty.
Also try the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge - NT too.
IIRC it's free to park in the NT Visitor Car Park at Giants Causeway, but they charge for entry to the centre/toilets. If you park up you can walk through the tunnel to the Causeway which I believe is a public right of way. The staff in the car park and centre will try and direct you to pay to visit the centre. Even though I am a NT member I wanted to visit the rock formation first and they were a little shirty.
Also try the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge - NT too.
Wow thanks for the response and time taken guys!
So Sat morning we will try leave 11ish - head from Newcastle to Larne and collect coastal route to Giants Causeway stopping at a few places you mention, then main roads back to Templepatrick as by then it will be dark. Should take us 3 hours to get there but I got a decent camera for my 30th so I could easily add an hour on with photo stops/lunch.
So Saturday and the main objective done.
Sunday we have to catch Ferry at Larne for 8pm - anything close by worth doing from Templepatrick to Larne?
Also on the Thursday we will now have more time in Belfast - the black taxi tour any good?
Thanks very much!
So Sat morning we will try leave 11ish - head from Newcastle to Larne and collect coastal route to Giants Causeway stopping at a few places you mention, then main roads back to Templepatrick as by then it will be dark. Should take us 3 hours to get there but I got a decent camera for my 30th so I could easily add an hour on with photo stops/lunch.
So Saturday and the main objective done.
Sunday we have to catch Ferry at Larne for 8pm - anything close by worth doing from Templepatrick to Larne?
Also on the Thursday we will now have more time in Belfast - the black taxi tour any good?
Thanks very much!
In Belfast I've never done the black taxi tour but I've been on the bus tour twice and it's good. The www.belfastcitysightseeing.com was informative and funny but a lot will depend on your guide and expect a lot of it to focus on info surrounding The Troubles. To get the full Titanic centre tour is expensive (£17 each I think) but you can still get off there and have a walk around for 45 minutes until the next bus comes. The Crumlin Road Gaol tour is very good and will play a bit on N.Irish political history along with the history of the gaol.
Belfast has amazing restaurants, cafes and pubs for all budgets and styles. Most of these are based in/around the Cathedral Quarter with some also being in the city centre. [Bubbacue (BBQ), Boojum (Burritos), Slim's Healthy Kitchen, Established Coffee]
When you're leaving on Sunday unfortunately there isn't much to do around Larne. Off the top of my head I can think of 'The Gobbins' at Islandmagee which is mentioned above. If you want a relaxing day and have the budget you could go up to Galgorm Spa which is amazing. Or if your budget is more limited you could go to the Spa at Antrim Forum (it's only £9 so set your expectations lower).
Belfast has amazing restaurants, cafes and pubs for all budgets and styles. Most of these are based in/around the Cathedral Quarter with some also being in the city centre. [Bubbacue (BBQ), Boojum (Burritos), Slim's Healthy Kitchen, Established Coffee]
When you're leaving on Sunday unfortunately there isn't much to do around Larne. Off the top of my head I can think of 'The Gobbins' at Islandmagee which is mentioned above. If you want a relaxing day and have the budget you could go up to Galgorm Spa which is amazing. Or if your budget is more limited you could go to the Spa at Antrim Forum (it's only £9 so set your expectations lower).
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