Northern Ireland is an excellent UK staycation option as it truly offers something for everyone, and you can be there in just two hours when you sail from Cairnryan to Larne with P&O Ferries. From adventurous outdoor pursuits to trying your favourite alcoholic beverages, you’re guaranteed to find more than enough to keep you entertained during your visit. Here, we share five reasons to spend your UK staycation in Northern Ireland.
1. Amazing walking and hiking opportunities
Thanks to its stunning and diverse scenery, a UK staycation in Northern Ireland offers plenty of walking and hiking opportunities. From wandering through mountain foothills to wildlife spotting in forests, Northern Ireland has something for both casual walkers and experienced hikers. Perhaps the most famous walking option in Northern Ireland is the Causeway Coast. Stretching for 32 miles, this route can be split up into small sections depending on how far you’d like to trek. Boasting famous sights such as the Giants Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Causeway Coast is full of surprises.
Nature lovers are guaranteed to enjoy a trip to the Fermanagh Lakelands in Northern Ireland. Combining gorgeous landscapes with plentiful wildlife, the vast Fermanagh Lakelands offer a variety of paths and tracks which enable even the youngest of walkers to explore. Adventures in the Fermanagh Lakelands will include everything from historic buildings and castles to museums and visitors centres in addition to lakes and rivers galore, so you can learn all there is to know about the destination. In particular, keep an eye out for three National Trust sites: Florence Court, Crom Estate, and Castle Coole, which are all worth a visit.
For those looking for a unique hike in Northern Ireland, the Mourne Mountains are the destination for you. The tallest mountain range in the country, the Mourne Mountains offer the chance to scale high peaks or simply take easy strolls through the picturesque foothills. The highest summit is Slieve Donard which stands at 850m and boasts amazing views as far as Great Britain. If you decide to take on this climb you can start your journey at Donard Park and travel on upwards from there. The Mourne Wall is a fantastic option for avid hikers, as this 22-mile circular route offers a strenuous walk incorporating 15 of the range’s peaks. The wall is 8ft high and 3ft wide and is only suitable for those who come prepared for the challenge.
2. Step into the Game of Thrones
Northern Ireland played a big part in HBO’s popular Game of Thrones series and set the backdrop for many an epic moment throughout the show’s eight seasons. There are around 25 Game of Thrones filming locations across Northern Ireland, making it a must-visit destination for fans of the show who can step into some of their favourite scenes. Start your GoT adventure with a trip to Winterfell – aka Castle Ward. This National Trust property played a huge part in season one as its farmyard features heavily throughout. As filming at Castle Ward wasn’t sustainable once the show achieved its massive success, the scene was recreated at Titanic studios for future seasons.
One of the most photographed Game of Thrones landmarks is the striking beech tree lined road known as Kingroad or the Dark Hedges. Used by Arya to escape King’s Landing, the road is very distinctive and can be found between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim. In 2016, Storm Gertrude damaged some of the trees and these have been made to craft ten wooden doors – each depicting a scene from the sixth season of Game of Thrones. These doors were sent to the four corners of the country and have formed a driving tour for GoT fans, although their excellent designs are bound to appeal to those who haven’t watched the show too!
Belfast is also home to a trail of Game of Thrones scenes, this time in the form of stained-glass windows. There are five windows scattered throughout the city, and each one is truly a wonder to behold. The Game of Thrones stained glass windows were launched in line with the show’s eighth and final season, and include different houses, legacies, and some of the most talked about scenes. Start your stained-glass window hunt at Waterfront Hall and complete it at the Titanic Slipways. In addition to seeing the impressive windows for yourself, you’ll be able to take in some of Belfast’s popular landmarks – such as the SS Nomadic and the Titanic Museum.
3. Fun for all the family
Looking for a UK staycation with children? You won’t be disappointed if you choose Northern Ireland. There’s plenty of activities on offer for kids of all ages, so you’ll find lots to do regardless of whether you’re travelling with teenagers or toddlers. For little ones, the Gruffalo Trail, located just outside of Belfast, is an absolute must. Immerse yourselves in the much-loved Julia Donaldson classic and find an 8ft Gruffalo at the end of your adventure. You’ll spot all of your favourite characters from the book along the way – and each one has been beautifully created by sculptor Andrew McIntyre which gives them all a life of their own.
Older children will go crazy for Jungle NI – an outdoor facility offering tons of fun activities for kids that can’t sit still. From clay pigeon shooting and paintballing to llama trekking and zorbing, there’s plenty to suit the whole family. One of Jungle NI’s highlights is its Tree Top Adventure Course. With over 50 high wire obstacles to tackle, this activity is certainly not for the fainthearted and combines nets, tunnels, swings and ziplines to create a truly memorable experience. Children over 1m tall can have fun on the Mowgli Tree Top Adventure Course. Set just 25m above the ground, it gives smaller kids the chance to try out high wire antics for themselves.
If you and your family love spending time on two wheels, the Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails are a must-visit. Close to the border between County Tyrone and County Fermanagh, this collection of mountain bike trails caters to cyclists of all abilities – from the family friendly 4km blue trail to the more exhilarating 8km red trail. Make your way through the estate’s woodland past private lakes and a nature reserve. When you travel to Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries you can take your own bikes with you, but if you’d prefer to hire one you’ll be able to do this at Blessingbourne if you choose to stay in one of their self-catering accommodation options.
4. Get out on the water
Whether it’s escapades at sea or activities on inland lakes, there are certainly lots of opportunities to get out on the water when you choose a UK staycation in Northern Ireland. Coasteering is a fantastic option for adrenaline junkies, and the Causeway Coast is one of the best places to try this activity for yourself. From jumping into the sea and spinning around wave pools to discovering hidden islands and secret coves, Causeway Coasteering offer a number of experiences that you won’t forget. With a variety of packages to choose from, including a 2-hour introductory session and a 7-hour bespoke adventure, you’re sure to find an option that suits you. Wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and helmets are provided, and you can even add a professional water photographer to your package too!
Another way to see the Causeway Coast from the water is by opting for a kayak tour. There are lots of great options offered by Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours – some of which are for adults only and others which are suitable for children. Head off on the Under the Bridge tour and you’ll paddle up the coast from Ballintoy to the Carrick-a-Rede bridge. See the bridge from a unique perspective and keep your eye our for dolphins playing in the bay. For something a bit different, opt for the Twilight Tour which offers the opportunity to see the coast lit up by the moon. Alternatively, enjoy a simple 1-hour guided tour with an informative guide which will give you a taste for the area.
Inland water-based fun can be found at Let’s Go Hydro in Belfast. The resort’s Aqua Park is a particular highlight and can be accessed by those over the age of seven and at least 1.1m tall. The Aqua Park combines slides, walls, ramps, freefalls, and much more to create an obstacle course that guarantees to get you wet! 50-minute sessions can be booked, and you can choose to book multiple sessions in a row if you think you’ll want longer. However, this activity provides quite a workout and most people find that just one session is enough. A wetsuit is provided as part of your booking, but you can take your own if you prefer.
5. Find your favourite drink
Throughout Northern Ireland you’ll find breweries and distilleries making all of your favourite alcoholic beverages. Perhaps the most famous of which is Bushmills Distillery. Located on the Causeway Coast, it’s highly likely that your travels will take you close to Bushmills where you can find the historic distillery which has been producing whiskey for centuries. Proud to be the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, the whiskey produced at Bushmills Distillery continues to be triple distilled in copper pots – a process that you can learn all about on a guided tour. Whiskey tastings are also on offer, so you can try the product for yourself and see why it’s so popular.
Cider lovers might prefer to visit Orchard County – aka Armagh – to see how their favourite drink is made. A visit to the Armagh Cider Company will give you an insight into how their 12 award winning cider varieties are produced, and you’ll be able to pick up your favourite to bring home with you too. With around 80 acres of orchard, 10,000 apple trees, and 34 types of apple to their names, it’s safe to say that they are industry experts and you’ll certainly learn a lot from a visit there. See how their cider is made from ‘blossom to bottle’ and enjoy what TourismNI named the most authentic experience of the year in 2019.
No drink round-up is complete without mentioning gin, and the Rademon Estate Distillery won’t disappoint. The home of Shortcross Gin, this distillery sits in stunning surroundings and you can book a tour that will enable you to experience them for yourself. During the tour, you’ll find out how the gin is made using fresh well water and freshly picked botanicals – and of course you can have a taste too! Shortcross Gin is created using a mix of old and new technology in striking copper stills and each product is hand bottled and wax dipped for complete authenticity making it a must-have for your drinks cabinet.
Top accommodation picks for your Northern Ireland staycation
There are loads of great accommodation options for your staycation in Northern Ireland. If you’d like to base yourself in the country’s fabulous capital, look no further than the Titanic Hotel Belfast. Boasting an unrivalled location right opposite the Titanic Museum, this Art Deco themed hotel will put you right at the heart of the action and offers free Wi-Fi too.
For easy access to the Giant’s Causeway and the Bushmills Distillery, consider a stay at the Bayview Hotel. Offering stunning panoramas across the Atlantic Ocean, this highly rated accommodation provides the perfect escape for couples and has free parking facilities for guests. Plus, you’re sure to enjoy a drink or two in the hotel bar after a day of adventures.
You’re guaranteed to find the perfect accommodation option for your UK staycation in Northern Ireland with Booking.com. Take a look and choose your favourite today!
Now that you’ve read our five reasons to spend your UK staycation in Northern Ireland, make the best of your short holidays in Ireland by ferry. Book your Cairnryan to Larne ferry crossing and start to plan your adventure across the Irish Sea.
