'AWE-INSPIRING' UK DESTINATION FULL OF NATURAL BEAUTY SPOTS WITH FLIGHTS FROM £30

There are so many beautiful spots in Northern Ireland – you’re practically spoilt for choice.

And, as its just short hop from Great Britain, you could be embarking on your next adventure in under than 90 minutes – perfect for a weekend getaway.

From paths forged by giants, a cascading Stairway To Heaven, to a location so haunting it was used in Game of Thrones, and more.

We’ve curated a list of the top ten picturesque locations and stylish digs bound to leave you awe-inspired on your next trip this spring.

1. Giant’s Causeway

Explanation A: these 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns stretching into the sea were formed by volcanoes about 50 million years ago.

Explanation B: this Unesco-protected site came about when one Finn McCool, a tempestuous giant, tossed parts of wider County Antrim seawards to form stepping stones – hence the name.

Whichever explanation you favour, it’s an undeniably incredible place. The coastline throws in castles, viewpoints and the wobbly, 30m-high Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge.

Elephant Rock, a boutique hotel in the beach town of Portrush, makes a chic base.

From £185, B&B, elephantrockhotel.co.uk

2. Lough Erne

Upper Lough Erne is a maze of narrow inlets, grassy islets and coves where otters are seen. Lower Lough Erne is wider, encompassing mystical islands such as the beautiful Boa, whose Caldragh Cemetery contains strange, pre-Christian figures.

Woods, cliffs and grasslands flank both lakes, while separating them is a short, twisting river that passes the handsome town of Enniskillen.

Stay just outside there, at the spa-equipped Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges, and get around by canoe, by borrowing a boat or by enlisting Erne Water Taxi’s services.

From £180, B&B, killyhevlin.com

3. Sperrin Mountains

The wonderfully quiet Sperrins offer 40 miles of low mountains rich in fragrant heather moorland. They’re a great place to spot wildlife, with foxes, sika deer, pine martens and golden eagles sometimes seen.

Walk up the 528m Slieve Gallion, around Lough Fea or through Davagh Forest via the Beaghmore Stone Circles. An Creagán, a cluster of white, croft-style cottages between Omagh and Cookstown, is close to everything.

Two nights from £340, self-catering, ancreagan.com

4. The Dark Hedges

Spring is a canny time to visit this haunting site, made (too) famous by its Game Of Thrones appearance as the Kingsroad.

Planted three centuries ago as an entry to Gracehill House, this avenue of 86 gnarly beech trees now resembles a sylvan tunnel.

For protection’s sake, the site has become pedestrian-only – you can park just to the north. Stay five minutes’ drive away at the cosy Bothy at Balnaholish, a traditional cottage rental.

Three nights from £321, self-catering, balnaholish.com

5. Mount Stewart

Beside Strangford Lough, this National Trust mansion impresses inside, but it’s the subtropical gardens that truly dazzle – not least the rhododendrons, which grow to tree-like sizes courtesy of mild North Atlantic Drift temperatures.

There are ten miles of walks, woods, sunken terraces, sculptures, a smaller lake and the Greek-inspired Temple of the Winds to explore.

Late spring brings vivid tulips.

Stay at the Old Schoolhouse Inn and you can also visit Scrabo Tower.

From £110, B&B, theoldschoolhouseinn.com

6. Lough Neagh

Five Northern Irish counties converge at the UK’s largest lake. Lough Neagh has a surface area of 151 square miles, plenty of which is covered by private companies such as Abhainn Cruises.

Guided fishing trips for trout or salmon are also possible.
Highlights on land include Ardboe High Cross, a tenth-century cemetery entrance, and the Instagrammable thatched fishing house of Coyles Cottage.

A few miles away, on the outskirts of Magherafelt, stands the highly rated B&B Brooke Lodge.

From £100, B&B, brooke-lodge.co.uk

7. Glenariff Waterfalls

Amid Glenariff Forest Park, these impressive waterfalls are accessible via mossy walking circuits.

It’s easy to proceed from here to explore the other eight Glens of Antrim – rolling valleys that are very easy on the eye.

Glenaan, with its early-summer red fuchsia blooms and ancient beehive cairns, is particularly worth a look, as is the elegant viaduct straddling rural Glendun.

Central to everything is Cushendall, a pretty beachside village, and its pub-accompanying McNaughton Guestrooms.

From £90, B&B, mcnaughtonguestrooms.com

8. Cave Hill, Belfast

Just north of the city, Cave Hill rises above meadows, caves and a cliff known as Napoleon’s Nose.

Hikes of varying difficulty lead to the summit, which affords vistas over Belfast and as far as Scotland on a clear day. Descend via Belfast Castle then aim for the Botanic Gardens.

Within walking distance, in the same trendy Queen’s Quarter, is the Harrison Chambers of Distinction – a boutique hotel full of Victorian quirks.

From £150, B&B, chambersofdistinction.com

9. Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail

This seven-mile hike starts with raised wooden walkways across vast blanket bogland.

Then comes a stepped ascent of Cuilcagh mountain, whose steepness is compensated for by the views – hence why it’s known locally as the Stairway to Heaven.

Check into one of the bright Tully Mill Cottages five miles away and you’ll be well-placed to explore the Marble Arch Caves: limestone caverns hosting waterfalls and stalactites.

Two nights from £260, self-catering, tullymillcottages.com

10. Mourne Mountains

In the south-eastern corner of Northern Ireland, the Mournes sweep down from their rugged, snow-dusted uplands, speckled with granite tors, towards quaint fishing towns.

The most popular walks are up the 850m Slieve Donard
or shadowing Silent Valley Reservoir via grasslands, boardwalks and forests.

One town, Kilkeel, is known for its seafood – including at the brownstone Kilmorey Arms Hotel.

From £120, B&B, 
kilmoreyarmshotel.co.uk

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