We loved our visit. We took our time walking around and had lunch in the cafe. I advise you to take your time and enjoy each area. There is a small soft play for younger children which is great too but the main attractions of the sea life, seals, penguins and other animals are greet to view. I would definitely recommend eating lunch in the cafe as it was really lovely and you get a view of the seals from the cafe. We also bought a few things in the gift shop as it was reasonably priced ice-cream is also sold in the gift shop. Great family day out 😊

It was a good experience and some very interesting sites. The aquarium is quite small so does not take that long to go round. There is a soft play area for the smaller children and a lovely restaurant that is reasonably priced.

A nice discovery on a wet day in Co. Down, this aquarium, the only one in NI, was bigger than first thought and there’s a good selection of indoor and outdoor exhibits. The onsite cafe also offered a good selection of food and is reasonably priced too.

What an absolutely amazing visit to aquarium. Took our 3 month old granddaughter and here face was an absolute picture she loved the under water tunnel . Great range of all aquatic animals and seeing the baby seals was so cute. A great couple of hours was had very well recommended

Loved our time here! My 2 year old had a great time looking at all the animals especially the seals and overhead aquarium 😍 Great place for a family day out.

Extensive site with lots of places to picnic but on the day we arrived the buildings were closed. I've been before and it takes a full day to take in all the various exhibits. Really important are the three wheeled human powered tricycles made in 1880 which were deliberately destroyed by what became the automobile industry. The competition was a danger to big industry but several images and even original tricycles can be viewed by those broadminded enough to comprehend their significance to the environment and economies world wide.

My grandson loves this place, it gives us great pleasure to sea the delight on his face, so much to see and activities to do, fish, sharks turtles and much more, feeding the penguins to watch and take part in, highly recommend.

We went on a family day out doing a guided kayaking tour along Strangford Lough. It was brilliant! James was fantastic and put everyone at ease on the water. Lots of games and craic including pier jumping! I would definitely recommend doing this!! We will be back!

We hired four bikes for our tour and was greeted by a very friendly man. He gave us both trial maps and the game of thrones bike map which was very much appreciated by a game of throne fan like myself. The trial itself starts with brilliant views of the lakes and leads onto a (imho more than) slightly steep slope. It then takes you through some mountain bike trials which we all agreed was the best part. Many spots to stop off for a lunch picnic so I would come prepared. The view points were gorgeous. All in all a great day out There is a small fleet of electric bikes available. Call ahead for electric bikes. We did try but we couldn’t get through so ended up with one that died just as we reached the top of the slope. It would definitely make cycling a lot easier for the older generations

I booked a double kayaking experience for my family of 4 (2 daughters aged 18 and 13). The booking process was really straight forward with great instructions on the confirmation email. We were greeted by James who was really friendly and informative. I had a fear from a previous canoe experience, James was extremely patient and helpful. We had a fantastic 2 hours on the lough, experiencing the seals and enjoying the beautiful water. My nerves appeased during the experience, so much so that we finished our time with a pier jump. We will definitely be back and was a great family experience.

We hired bikes for half a day including a toddler trailer. We absolutely loved it! The grounds themselves are beautiful and well kept. Customer service from booking to on the day hire was second to none. Easy to book, easy to communicate with and very friendly and professional on site. Would definitely recommend clear sky and we will most definitely be back to see what else is on offer. Great day out!

We had a great morning kayaking with Clearsky adventure centre in Strangford. Our family (2adult, an 11yr and 8 year old) were so well looked after by William in the office and Harry on the water. We don't have alot of experience but after Harry's instructions we mastered it enough to follow him around the shore line. Great fun. The icing on the cake was seeing 2 seals quite close to us. Highly recommend. We'll be back especially that it's on 30 minutes from home.

We were on a family trip to Down, and had a fantastic time here. We booked an archery session, and then hired bikes for a few hours. James was so helpful with the booking and organisation, and couldn't have been more helpful on the day. The archery was great fun, and the whole place is amazing. Would definitely recommend it, and will be back again!

This honestly was the highlight of our staycation! We went kayaking and upon arrival James was so welcoming and immediately set my daughter and her Daddy at easy; neither had previously been kayaking and were slightly nervous. Wetsuits and life jackets on (changing facilities beyond clean) and away we went. The lough was stunningly beautiful and when out we were fortunate and ecstatically happy to see the seals. My daughter loved the pier jumping. Once done we couldn't have been more thankful to get into the roasting warm showers. I can't recommend Clearsky Adventure Centre anymore! Both my daughter and her daddy loved it and have a new passion! If thinking about booking I say just do it!! Will definitely return again in the future!

Over 800 acres! The castle has a grand view point from many angles. Great little shop, decent restrooms, sounds playing on speakers in different areas make it really feel authentic! There is also a used bookshop, which is so interesting and cute. We didn't get to try the café, but it looked like it had a good selection of snacks. The courtyard in the middle would've been a wonderful place to enjoy a coffee and a snack from the café.

Castle Ward offers a fascinating look at the opulent lifestyle of Ireland’s upper class over the past few centuries. While the beautifully preserved upstairs rooms give a strong sense of grandeur, I found myself wishing we could also explore the downstairs quarters, where the servants and working staff once lived and labored. Unfortunately, that part of the estate is currently closed to visitors. The true highlight of the visit was the volunteers. Warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, they bring the history of Castle Ward to life—and often without the recognition they deserve. If you visit, take a moment to thank them. They do this out of genuine love for the place, and it shows.

Castle Ward is a fabulous day out for the family. In addition to the house tour with its splendid architecture and story, the grounds and walks are lovely. Enjoy the stable square for coffee and bites to eat.

Lovely National Trust location. A hidden gem. Great walks and a dog friendly cafe serving indoors and outdoors in a well sheltered stable yard.

Lovely walk around the grounds have been many times and will return time and time again. The place has my heart!

We had a lovely 3hrs at Castle Ward. You enter the estate via the pretty sunken garden which is well worth a walk around. The house is not open in October on Tuesdays and in December closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But check the website. Walking around the house is by tour only and the tour guide (Billy?) was excellent. Look for the very different styles of the front and back sections of the castle. The castle has stunning interiors that are looked after very well. The laundry is well worth a visit especially if you remember your mother or grandmother using the flat irons and the mangle. Plenty of marked walks and cycle tracks around the estate. I noticed bikes put out in the courtyard by staff which I guess are for hire, but check first. The trails are from 2km to 13kms and walkers and bikers are asked to walk in an anti clockwise direction. We enjoyed the Farm Trail 4km circular walk taking in the shoreline and the filming location for the Battle of Oxcross in Game of Thrones. The cafe and shop offer a good selection and we bought several books from the secondhand bookshop at very reasonable prices. In all a beautiful day at a lovely location with friendly staff.

Castle Ward is a great National Trust property by Strangford Lough. The grounds weave around the Lough edge, the house is very unique with it's two very different facades. Well worth popping into the house, walking around the stable courtyard and then visiting the Game of Thrones filming location by the waters edge.

Lots of new reclamation going on here so that every time you visit there is something new. Recommend and the rose garden just past the lake or the squirrel hide where you can get a chance to see red squirrels in their natural habitat

We loved our visit! We took the bus from Laganside which was very easy (though the direct bus is not very frequent so you need to plan ahead). Entrance was free for Open Days and there were a good number of visitors but it was not crowded. The house is lovely with lots of unique items to look at, including art, a gorgeous dress, funny dishes, and unique furniture. I really like that you got to see a lot of rooms and walk around quite freely, we spent about 2 hours exploring inside. All of the staff were super knowledgeable and friendly. The gardens are really pretty which interesting plants and statues (including dodo birds). The cafe has some good pastries like cake and scones. The grounds except for the formal gardens are dog friendly so we plan to come back with our dog. It was also very child friendly, with good baby changing stations. There is a gift shop and a second hand bookshop.

Free for national trust members. You can spend a short time or all day, so many different walks you can do and dog friendly. There is also a cafe on site and a large car park which is useful in motorhome. An enclosed dog field so the dogs can have an off lead run

A top quality residence, open to the public with enough guides to give details on the displays and architecture. This is the place to visit if you need inspiration to make a billion, as that's what it would cost to reproduce this magnificent achievement, not even Musk nor Gates could afford to build a home half the quality of this palace. That it costs a few pounds to enter is something most don't fully appreciate or it would be crowded daily. The lifestyle of previous owners is hard to grasp when compared to today's well-to-do who are proud of a hundred meter square apartment with three meter high ceilings and noise of neighbours disturbing them night and day in a choking city where you can be robbed at any corner. The gardens were magnificent years ago but have been abandoned in parts recently since the revenues barely pay for even the heating bills, let alone professional gardeners. The voluntary assistants do not have the resources to keep this treasure up to the standards of the past but for the less critical viewers it is still a delight to wander through the maze of tall trees and monuments brought here by owners who could afford hundreds of labourers working round the clock to achieve a display of grandure rarely seen even on mainland Europe. Visit now before Elon realises what he is missing, he won't want every Tom, Dick and Harry trending on the lawns if he gets time to relax and enjoy life for once in his life!

Simply majestic Great for dogs and family fun. Wi-Fi, and coffee shop are top notch

So beautiful place. Worth to visit. Workers very nice and helpful, they explained us everything very clear with big small. I truly recommend this place. Car park free, nice gift shop and very tasty coffee.

Enjoyed an amazing afternoon in this wonderful house. The house is beautiful, warm and inviting. The staff in reception, the house and all the guides are absolutely lovely. So friendly and knowledgeable about the house and the family. They all genuinely love the house and it shows in how truly lovely they are to visitors. Would highly recommend a visit. Thank you.

Lovely place for a stroll and great views from the harbour wall. Loved the Stormy Cup Café, just down from the harbour, and it's collection of rare and original travel posters etc!

Stunning little town. Try The Cabin for old fashion sweets and hand made ice cream, lovely family run business. The Captains Table for fish and chip's is on the sea front and is best ever. Pier 36 for lunch, dinner, just pint or a glass of wine. We stayed many times at Pier 36. Bows Bells cafe breakfast is amazing and coffee to die for, best homemade granola too, this is a little hidden gem hidden round the corner from the Stormy Cup which is also lovely for cake and a cup of tea. You'll be spoilt for choice in this beautiful little seaside town. Also more off the beaten track is Millisle a stunning little seaside village 2 miles up the road following the coast for beautiful beaches to stretch your legs after visiting Donaghadee. The coastal route takes you all the way up towards Portaferry where you can cross Strangford Loch and drive through to the beautiful Castle Ward Park. Stunning scenery no matter the weather in all these places. We'll be back soon.

Lovely area for walks and quiet time, with friendly people and a serene environment

Lovely spot when the sun is out. Always busy so hard to get parked. A few places for ice creams. And a good park for the kids. And the wee pool is well looked after.

Stunning place, when the weather's good, there's no better bike ride. Beautiful.

Great town with plenty of places to eat and drink and great for walks along the coast a small beach but it better for rock pools when the tide is out! It has a slip way which is popular for leisure activities paddle boarding appears to be popular with local companies offering classes and with a sailing club close by! So a great spot

Lovely place to visit :)

A beautiful well run estate, there’s nothing more you could want from a day out here with your kids or for a nice peaceful walk. Cafe is 1st class, staff are great (thanks) and the grounds are accessible for all and the planting is superb, in my opinion the best gardens in Northern Ireland. A real credit to all involved.

Went to Montalto on a Thursday. It was dry thank goodness so we were able to do the lake walk and kids could play in the outdoor adventure play area. Plenty of picnic tables. The grounds are beautiful with lots of beautiful shrubs and flowers. There are lots of summer seats on the walks so suitable for older people who may need a wee rest. The cafe is very large with indoor and outdoor seating. One area is also dog friendly. There is a 'bark park' with exercise and agility equipment for dogs. The gardens and grounds are extremely well kept. There was even a witch's cottage hidden at the side of the lake. I would highly recommend Montalto to families.

Montalto Estate is an absolutely stunning wedding venue! As a wedding photographer, I love how timeless the space feels and the outdoor ceremony space is just so beautiful when the weather plays ball. The staff are so accommodating and make the day flow seamlessly for the couple and their guests. Highly recommend Montalto Estate for couples who dream of a classic, elegant wedding setting. — with thanks, Sarah from Sun & Beau

A beautiful estate. We were there for a car show but you can hire the house for weddings etc. There is plenty of walks to do and beautiful gardens.

Montalto Estate is a stunning wedding venue, we photographed half a dozen weddings here and every time we are just blown away. The grounds are incredible for portraits and the ceremony/reception space is great for large weddings. The staff are so accommodating and good fun too! We'd be delighted to to photograph another wedding here in the future!

Such a beautiful day out. The restaurant is amazing. It has a lovely gift shop. The walk around the grounds is stunning. Honestly one of the best play parks iv ever been to. This place ticks all the boxes!

Lovely trails and paths for walking. Also dog agility area and off lead field.

I want to thank the staff for being so nice and accommodating, especially Robert and our guide Roberta. We took a wrong turn on the way and ended up a bit late, but they let us go with another group, which was very kind of them. The walk itself is stunning and we were lucky enough to see puffins on the day! 100% recommend it!

Just fabulous. Fab tour - Phil, our tour guide was very informative about the history of the area and the cliffs, not to mention hilarious! It's a good walk, some areas tougher than others - you need to think twice if you have any mobility or cardiovascular problems. We were blessed enough to see some puffins! Sometimes if you're lucky you will see dolphins or seals - we sadly, we're not. The views are beautiful, some days you can see as far as Scotland apparently! I highly recommend this trip!

My favourite experience in all of Ireland during our 3 months here. Exhilarating (but safe) at high tide on a rough day. Wonderful to be over the ocean. Jill was a very good and informative guide. Visitor centre and gift shop were good. Highly recommend The Gobbins.

We saw a Puffin! Fascinating bird. Enjoyed the guides explainations of the extensive history. Strenuous hike. Well worth the effort. The rental boots are plenty nice. They require ankle support footwear to take the tour.

A great experience with beautiful scenery. This is a guided group tour walk and needs to be prebooked. It starts at Visitor Centre and the guide takes you to the start of walk spot in a mini bus. The helmets (provided) are required and boots are checked. The Viewing Point can be accessed independently. Best photo op if you are at the back of your tour group as you use the waiting time for photos. The walk is not a loop and you need to pass the other groups on the way there and back. The tunnel passage is dark and through a slightly wet path. We went on a beautiful warm sunny day and really enjoyed the walk.

What an experience!! Enjoyed the walking tour with our gang of girls and enjoyed every minute - well perhaps not the stagger up the steep slope at end?! The beauty, history and ruggedness all combined with being so close to healthy clean nature made this an amazing tour. Our guide was brilliant - friendly and so knowledgeable. After a good physical stretch, we gladly enjoyed a splendid lunch and hot drinks at the visitor centres cafe. Great day out!

I visited the path on the 25th of August. It was an amazing and unique experience. The walk is easy and the scenery is breathtaking, the guide provides interesting explanations and insight. I felt safe for the whole path. But I really want to praise and thank also the staff of the visitor centre, a lovely lady didn't hesitate to help us out when we lost our train back. Thank you so much, you saved the day!

I was absolutely delighted to discover this hidden treasure. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the gardens and greenhouse are immaculately cared for with such dedication. It’s hard to believe that a place this beautiful is completely free to enjoy. Every corner is stunning, and the atmosphere is uplifting. An utterly amazing experience, thank you for creating and maintaining such a wonderful haven. Keep up the fantastic work! 🌿✨

Absolutely gorgeous green space in the middle of the City, such a beautiful space to wonder around in and with it being completely free as well is an added bonus. Such a beautiful place to just wander around, grab a wee coffee at the Coop Coffee Co truck in entry and away you go for a peaceful walk and enjoy Squirrel watching.

Excellent place to spend a nice few hours. Highly recommended to visit on a weekend so you get free parking around the garden. Enjoy your time at the Botanic Indoor garden and make sure you reach in the morning hours to avoid disappointment.

Very stunning location for the entire family. The beautiful colours of the flowers is music to the soul. It is definitely a surreal point to get away from the buzzing noise of the city.

It’s a green oasis in the city. It’s spacious and dog friendly. It feels more like a city park rather than a botanical garden. However, it’s still a clam and relaxing place to spend a day

Nice place but most of the indoor gardens were closed after 3.30pm. so I couldn't visit those. Very nice place to take a day out and play with kids.

Free public space with fantastic orangery. Even during autumn it's interesting to visit! And we spotted a few squirrels!

With your Titanic museum entry ticket, you can enter this boat. Very old, well maintained remaining ship from the White Star Line, Nomadic is here still intact. Highly recommended to come visit here as its very impressive and has a lot of history!

So glad we went! Last surviving White Star Line vessel in existence. Free entry here when you go to the Titanic museum and honestly was not expecting much when they told us but wow, they don't make tinder boats like this. Powder room, bar, segregated stairwells by class, even the details in the woods and flooring change drastically by class. Very cool to see.

Great to see this tender. You can walk through it and up onto the deck. Lots of interesting history here, and you never hear about these lost icons. Recommend a visit if going to the Titanic exhibition.

The last White Star Line ship in existence. It served as a tender for the RMS Titanic. Admission to this is included in museum tickets, and it's definitely work walking over here to check out. You can go on all three levels and the upper decks and there are more exhibits in here.

It was a brilliant experience to able to visit this transfer ship that was used for the RMS Titanic, standing at dock kept in a solid condition! Exploring the interior rooms modelled around the Titanic was fascinating for seeing the communal areas along the lush floor; dining areas included as part and the areas are linked by grand staircases. We were able to walk on deck to get up close to the funnels, could even grab the steering wheel and turn it!

Honestly, I did not know that The White Star company still had one remaining ship. The story behind this ship was gallant, but then sad as it lost its uses. It received a reprieve from the scrapyard three times, and has mostly been restored, and continued to be renovated.

A piece of Belfast history in process of being restored. It is an amazing to step onboard and step back through time and see the many roles the vessel has played in it's lifetime. The staff are some of the best, and the opportunity to explore is brilliant!

An absolutely phenomenal museum and an essential top of the list attraction for any visit to Belfast. Finding a Brueghel in the wild was amazing, as was the rest of the art on display, the various eras of historical artefacts and the myriad of zoological specimens. You can spend a long time in here and there's something for all the family. Free entry, but I highly recommend making a donation if you are able.

Really well curated museum that tells a story, instead of merely presenting artefacts. There are 4 floors, containing exhibitions on art, science and history. Unfortunately we had to leave after 2 hours but you can easily spend more time in there.

The Ulster Museum is an absolute gem in Belfast — and the best part is, it’s free to enter! The variety is incredible: from fascinating exhibits on Northern Ireland’s history and the Troubles, to stunning art collections, interactive science displays, and even a dinosaur skeleton that’s a hit with kids. The layout is well-organised, making it easy to explore at your own pace, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. It’s perfect for all ages — whether you’re into natural history, fine art, or political history, you’ll find something captivating. I especially enjoyed the mix of local culture with global stories. A must-visit if you’re in Belfast!

The museum is good and vast. It has many exhibitions of historic and prehistoric things, ice age, medieval, Egyptian etc. Also natural museums, animal, sea and birds. They have also nice mineral museum and art gallery. One can spend decently 2 to 3 hours here. They quite educative as well.

So much to see and learn! And free entry too! Just make a donation if you want to. Well worth it if you do. An all round winner in my books! Such a wide range of subjects, interests and an amazing layout! I felt like a kid on a treasure hunt! So much fun! I absolutely loved it! I took the hop on hop off city tour and got off at the stop just across the street! Will definitely go again! A "MUST DO" if you're in Belfast!

We had a brilliant afternoon at the Ulster Museum with our two little ones (aged 2 and 3). They especially loved the three Discovery Rooms – so many interactive things to play with, touch and explore. It kept them entertained for ages and was perfect for young children. Such a fantastic, family-friendly museum and amazing that it’s completely free. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Belfast with kids!

An interesting museum with exhibits from throughout the history of Ireland. Well laid out and very informative. Good Cafe in the Museum serving a good variety of food and drinks. Staff were all really helpful.

Fabulous! The audio tour helps so much. Be prepared to spend hours here! The staff so very helpful. The place is very clean. The gift shop is amazing. Don't forget to go over the road to the Nomadic ship in the dry dock. It's wonderful and the gentleman we spoke to, so very knowledgeable. Thank you for an amazing day out Belfast!

Essentially the most detail about the Titanic that you can cram into one (huge) building. Parts of the museum are very immersive. The latter half, which touched on the disaster itself, was somber and meaningfully engaging.

What an incredible museum! From the early history of Belfast’s industry that attracted the shipyards, to the manufacturing, sailing, demise, and discovery of the Titanic, all aspects were covered. It was amazing. There was also a really interesting gondola ride in the museum (about 5 minutes long) that glides you through what it was like for the ships builders pounding the rivets by hand. I highly recommend the ride. There’s also a bypass if you opt-out. I highly recommend coming to check out Titanic Belfast if you have any interest in the Titanic. Recommend buying tickets online in advance if possible, for your preferred timed entry. Getting to the museum via the Glider (G2) was very easy.

Titanic Belfast – A Must-Visit Experience Yesterday I had the chance to explore Titanic Belfast, and I have to say it was one of the highlights of my trip. The moment you see the building itself, you get a sense of how special the place is – its striking design instantly makes you feel connected to the story of the Titanic. Inside, the atmosphere is both grand and moving. The exhibitions take you on a journey from Belfast’s shipbuilding history to the creation and tragic voyage of the Titanic. I really liked how immersive everything was – it’s not just about reading facts, but actually experiencing the story through interactive displays, visuals, and sounds. What stood out most to me was how the museum balances history with emotion. You learn about the engineering brilliance behind the ship, but you also feel the human stories that make the Titanic so iconic. It’s educational, emotional, and beautifully presented. For anyone visiting Belfast, I’d definitely call this a must-visit attraction. Whether you’re passionate about history, curious about the Titanic, or just want a unique experience in the city, Titanic Belfast is worth every minute. It’s more than a museum – it’s a journey through time and atmosphere that stays with you long after you leave.

Recently visited Titanic Belfast exhibition while holidaying from Australia as I'm fascinated by the history. Specifically visited Belfast to see this exhibition and it did not disappoint. I booked a White Star Premium Pass tour prior to walking through the exhibition. Lasted 90 minutes and is an outside walking tour. I think Peter was our guide and he was fantastic. So knowledgeable and history of the area shared that I wouldn't have got just from walking through the exhibition. It was busy - went on the weekend and got busier the later in the day that it got. If busyness bothers you, go earlier in the day as it was quite empty. Definitely worth the money. It's an exhibition that's well done.

Such a fun thing to do while in Ireland. The museum is very large with lots to look at and read. I love how there is a small ride in the museum that explains the conditions of the workers on the ship. This experience definitely exceeded my expectations. The gift shop is very nice with lots of options.

Tastefully done, immersive museum. There's even a short ride that takes you through the inner workings of ship building (can be bypassed though and you can get the same info by reading the placards if the line is too long). The ticket includes entry to the Nomadic, which you can visit before or after the Titanic. Note, there is a children's discovery game you can pick up for free at the museum and it does have questions regarding the Nomadic as well. If you drive, there are two parking lots on site that aren't a rip off.

The marker is quite decent with balanced mix of prepared food, raw food, crafts, and antiques. Foodies may want to know there is Spanish paella, original pasta Alfredo in Parmesan cheese preparation, and French crepes. Also freshly made marshmallows. Unfortunately, the market is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Wow, what a busy bustling place and so much on offer . International foods, art, fashion, antiquities, kids stuff, jewellery....the list goes on. We spent a happy hour or two just wandering and listening to the sounds.

Live music, all kinds of merchants, awesome food. All kinds of local or handmade products are available here. The place had really an awesome vibe, one of the best markets what I have ever seen.

Wonderful indoor weekend market that will have all manner of things you never knew you wanted. The food stalls are exceptional and have great variety of foods from local to European, Asian and Caribbean, just to name a few. The smells and sounds of a busy market are Wonderful and seem to be a thing of the past, i would definitely say gives this place a go.

Such a vibrant and fun market! I especially loved the desserts from Jam and Olly’s 🫶— absolutely delicious and worth the visit just for that. Great atmosphere and so many tasty options!

Great market with lots of amazing food options and veggie/vegan options too! Good size and easy to get around even with the big crowds. Had a delicious Belfast bap at Sizzle and Roll, would recommend! Lots of lovely jewellery, vintage stalls, clothing and artists stalls!

We loved visiting this market on a Friday. So much great and delicious food! I highly recommend visiting if you're in Belfast!

Belfast City Hall is a stunning landmark and a must-see when visiting the city. 🏛️ The architecture is beautiful, especially when lit up at night, and the grounds around it are always lively and well-kept. Inside, the free exhibitions give a fascinating insight into Belfast’s history and culture. It’s right in the heart of the city, making it easy to visit and enjoy whether you’re sightseeing, relaxing in the gardens, or taking photos. A real highlight of Belfast!

Belfast City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, right in the heart of Donegall Square. The grand Baroque Revival architecture, with its domes and statues, makes it an impressive sight from the outside, and the surrounding gardens are perfect for a stroll or a quiet break. Inside, the free public tours are excellent, giving insight into Belfast’s history, the building’s design, and even the famous stained-glass windows that commemorate different aspects of the city’s heritage. ✨ Travel Tips: • 🎟 Entry is free, and guided tours are offered daily, highly recommended. • 🕰 Allow at least 1–2 hours if you plan to do a tour and explore the exhibits inside. • 📸 Don’t miss the illuminated view of City Hall at night, it looks spectacular. • 🚶 The location is central, so it’s easy to combine with shopping, dining, or visiting other landmarks nearby. • ☕ Plenty of cafés and pubs are within walking distance if you want to enjoy local food or drink after your visit.

While visiting Belfast, came over to City Hall. History and Significance Birth of a City Symbol: The City Hall was commissioned after Queen Victoria granted Belfast official city status in 1888, recognizing its massive industrial expansion in shipbuilding, linen, and engineering. A grand civic building was deemed necessary to reflect this elevated status. The Titanic Connection: The building has a strong link to the RMS Titanic. Lord Mayor William Pirrie, who was Lord Mayor just before construction, was also the managing director of the Harland and Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was built. He is credited with the idea for both grand projects. Many of his skilled shipyard workers were involved in the intricate fit-out of the City Hall's interiors, providing an insight into the luxurious finish of the Titanic's lounges and suites, as the carving and paneling are very similar. Construction and Style: Designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival style, the building was constructed using Portland stone and opened its doors in 1906. The cost was a significant £369,000, funded largely by the profits of Belfast's municipal gasworks. Wartime Resilience: During World War II, the City Hall served as a crucial center for civil defense and stood firm during the Belfast Blitz in 1941, although the roof above the Banqueting Hall was destroyed and later rebuilt. Location: It stands on the site of the former White Linen Hall, which was the heart of the city's once-thriving international linen industry. Architectural and Unique Features The Dome: The central feature of the skyline is the distinctive 173-foot copper dome. Originally bright copper, it has oxidized over the years to its recognizable green patina. Opulent Interiors: The interior is equally grand, featuring a stunning array of marbles (including Carrara, Pavonazzo, and Brescia), sweeping marble staircases, mosaic tiling, and the Rotunda, which leads the eye up to the dome. The Council Chamber is paneled in Irish oak. Stained Glass Windows: The hall is home to a magnificent collection of stained glass windows, which are visual narratives of the city's past, depicting monarchs, coats of arms of the provinces of Ireland, and commemorating significant events like the 36th (Ulster) Division. The Coat of Arms: The city's motto, "Pro tanto quid retribuamus" (What shall we give back in return for so much?), is found on the coat of arms. The crest features symbols like the seahorse and ship, signifying Belfast's maritime importance, and the bell, which is a play on the first syllable of the city's name (Belfast).

Belfast City Hall, a magnificent civic building in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a symbol of the city's rich history and prosperity. Completed in 1906, it was built to commemorate Queen Victoria granting Belfast city status in 1888. Designed by Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas, the building is a stunning example of Baroque Revival architecture. Its most prominent features are the elegant green copper dome and the white Portland stone facade. The interior is equally impressive, with intricate marble staircases, mosaic floors, and stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the city's past. The City Hall's grounds are a public park and home to several notable memorials, including the Titanic Memorial Garden, dedicated to the victims of the famous shipwreck. Historically, the building has served as a center for civic life and a focal point during significant events, including World War II and the Troubles. Today, Belfast City Hall remains the seat of the Belfast City Council and a major tourist attraction. Visitors can explore a self-guided exhibition on the city's history or take a guided tour to see the grand interiors, including the Council Chamber and the Rotunda. The City Hall stands as a testament to Belfast's industrial heritage and a living part of its modern identity, welcoming visitors and locals alike to its historic grounds.

Belfast City Hall is a magnificent Baroque Revival building completed in 1906, serving as the seat of Belfast City Council. It's a grand architectural statement reflecting Belfast's industrial prosperity at the turn of the 20th century. There are guided tours offer an "extraordinary glimpse" into areas not usually accessible to the public, including the Italian and Greek marble-clad Rotunda, the Irish-oak paneled Council Chamber (where you can sit in the Lord Mayor's throne!), and the Robing Room with its civic regalia. After your tour, you can visit a unique exhibition across 16 rooms that explores the history of Belfast. The surrounding gardens are popular and feature the Titanic Memorial Garden, commemorating those who died on the ship, with a plaque listing all 1,512 names. Overall it's a top choice for visitors to Belfast, offering a blend of impressive architecture, rich history, and insights into the city's civic life.

I didn’t go inside, but the building looked absolutely beautiful from the outside. Its grand architecture and impressive dome really stand out in the city center. It’s a great spot for photos and definitely worth seeing while walking around Belfast.

BELFAST GEM I feel like the City Hall is the prettiest thing to exist in Belfast. It gives the city centre a lot of character. I Would have loved to go inside.

A fantastic restoration and story of a Gaol throughout Belfast's last hundred years plus. Following a well planned trail you get stories, an idea of life for a variety of prisoners, the punishments, the stories and the hardships. The building itself is a stark reminder of Victorian views of punishment, separation in cells, menial work, cleanliness, religious overlay and solid structural integrity. The cafe in the former kitchens is great the food was lovely and value for money. Service was really friendly.

Wow! You will not regret coming here! Super kind staff and super interesting to learn about the history behind these walls. I met two ladies who told me that their father was incarcerated here when it still held prisoners!

What a great experience. Really well done being interactive and thoughtful with a good mix of technology integrated into the actual spaces. Although the entire space is not accessible to you, they make good use of the example spaces they created. You could spend a lot of time here and have different experiences in each section you go into. Quite emotionally moving too. Don't forget to check out the cafe.

A victorian Gaol I hear you say, Crumlin Gail takes you back in time and through the history of The Troubles. An interesting insight you won't find anywhere else and a well preserved piece of history. Worth a visit to the hangmans noose which at the end of the tour makes you think of those who having committed those heanous crimes came to an end.

One of the most well curated museum I’ve visited. Interactive, informative with a well-mapped visitor journey. Definitely a must a visit in Belfast. Do expect to spend 2-3 hours here as it has a lot of information and videos.

It would have been five stars if the cafe had been open! We spent about 4 hours at the Gaol and had lunch at the distillery next door. The Gaol is definitely worth a visit, to learn about the Victorian view of appropriate penal conditions for men women and children, as well as about the imprisonment of people during the Troubles. The exhibits are well laid out but the individual stories, set in different cells by video, tended to overlap with those in adjacent cells. The video would benefit enormously from subtitles. Nevertheless the overall impression was vivid and authentic.

One of the highlights of our visit to Belfast. We paid extra for the guided tour which was money well spent as our guide was entertaining, informative and brought the whole thing to life. Not to be missed.

A stylish and welcoming outlet shopping destination, conveniently located on the outskirts of Banbridge with direct access from the A1. Discover a wide range of great stores in a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.

Beautiful place. Everything is organised as should be. Very relaxed. Many popular brands and coffee shops. Warmly recommend.

Great place, visiting over from Wales for the Rally, great selection of shops and everyone so friendly 👌🏻

What shall I say. I love the place but it can get crazy busy. I wouldn't go near it during public holidays as I don't enjoy crowds of people. Watch out for car or bike shows and Markets. There are lovely shops there, easy access and plenty of parking.

Plenty of shops, plenty to do, games for the kids on the walk, you can easily spend whole day here. Also starting point if you plan to do Game of Thrones tour. Shuttle bus starts here (bout 20min drive to actual Studio). You can buy tickets in the office.

Has really improved since it first opened years ago. Plenty of parking and good variety of shops. Next and Nike are excellent here, I always end up buying something in both. I would also recommend visiting The Range across the road, it’s probably the best one I have been to!

Checked online and the item was in stock in The Range When I got there I couldn't find it. I asked 2 members of staff for help. First shrugged and said I don't know, second said probably in diy showed him web page that said it was in stock, he said you don't want to go by that. Thank goodness I didn't do click and collect or I'd have bought something that didn't exist.

I purchased two men’s Irish linen handkerchiefs as a luxury gift. They arrived in a crumpled flimsy red paper bag which was barely stuck down. Once opened, the handkerchiefs had been shoved inside without being neatly folded. This meant that they were badly creased and I will have to iron them before presenting them as a gift. I will also have to look for an alternative presentation bag as the one you sent me was tatty. These are considered to be luxury items but Ferguson’s has not taken due care to items I have already bought which we’re expensive. Furthermore, the stitching at one corner was not straight. I will neither recommend nor purchase any further products from you. Appalling.

Would have given zero if it was possible. Purchased an item when it was on sale. They took the correct listed price amount from the payment method attached to my PayPal, but then refunded it and charged double the price that I'd bought the item at. Emailed them when I'd received a notification from my payment method and again when they emailed to say they'd despatched the item. They didn't bother to reply. Terrible customer service and very underhanded to refund the purchase price and then make a charge for double! I would avoid this company at all cost!!

Just received my order of placemats and napkins. Delighted with them. Just beautiful! I love how much care is given to the packaging( the note is signed Judith). Carefully wrapped in tissue paper then the old fashioned way with brown paper and string. Would make a lovely gift but I'm treating myself or should I say my table! Highly recommend Ferguson's Irish Linen. Much prefer to support a local company. Thank you!

Excellent customer service. Ordered a tablecloth and napkins online. Dispatched quickly. Very good quality. Will order from them again.

I ordered a linen hankie for my daughter for her wedding on 24/4/24 as a small personal gift. I was told it would arrive between 12th and 15th April. NOTHING... and when I tracked my order, the courier hasn't yet received it. I have emailed fergusons twice and they have not replied.. I had a tiny blue love heart button ready to stitch on one corner for the something blue element of wedding. Eventually received 2 days after the wedding .more recently someone from Fergusons has contacted me with generous apology .Not ideal situation but at least they acknowledged an error had been made.

I recently purchased their Linen Bed Sheets that's specifically tailored for North American Beds. Great quality. Very comfortable to sleep on

I visited the Irish linen shop on a recent trip to Northern Ireland. I just loved the place mats that I bought . The quality and detail is amazing. The customer service was professional and friendly. I would definitely visit your shop if I visit Northern Ireland again! It was an absolute delight to be there and meet you!

P&O very reasonable price. We travel 1 adult 2 kids and 2 pets from Larne to Cairnryan and back. Very nice club member experience, will definitely be using P&O again

Sailed to Cairnryan on the European Causeway today 21 Sept 2025 and it was absolutely fine! Haven't sailed out of Larne for a long time but the harbour is well signposted and the P&O departure well signposted and easy to find. Everyone was courteous and helpful and you couldn't ask for any more. It's only a short 2hr journey so didn't have any hot food, just a coffee and scone. It was amazingly quiet on the ship, with most people reading or doing something their devices. All in all a great way to get across to Scotland! Five stars!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I mean they were on time, cheaper then some competition, got us there safely and we're quick to load and unload. Honestly, not sure what else I can ask in transport and last ferry service from a different provider was an hour and a half late with zero explanation. P&O is clean inside and comfortable sitting areas with restaurants and shops.

Really good service. We paid to travel in the premium lounge which was extremely comfortable. On downside was thr food off the menu which wasn't great, a bit dry! Very smooth crossing though.

Cafe closed .but toilets were clean and staff brill

We had a really nice crossing to Cairnryan and back on the P&O Ferry. Fun, friendly staff on the boat, getting the car in was straightforward. Some great refreshments are there, too. And who doesn't like to hang around outdoors to enjoy wave watching, there is a wee cinema, and by the time you have reached the other side, you could have watched a whole movie.

Booked and travelled twoway journey with family and car, which was really a great experience. Didn't wait long as the boarding was completed quickly and started the journey in time. It was not overcrowded, so there was no issue with seating, and the food was really nice. Even though the weather was not so bad, there was a slight swing experienced a few times, and a high chair was spinning... Everything was very neat and clean, including deck and toilets. The google map will just guide you to the ferry office, not to the actual ferry port. So follow the signboard for directions.

Went there on a Saturday afternoon, and most of the attractions within like the activity centre, maze, etc. were closed. The timings mentioned here in Maps and in the website link provided don't seem to match, and both seem to be incorrect, at least for a sunny Saturday in spring. Toilets were neat and clean, probably because there were not many people around. So, nothing to do other than just walk around in deserted walkways or click some pics with the sea in background.

30 Minutes drive from Carrickfergus, Natural calmness, and Beauty, Child Fiendly areas, A Maze and Children areas, but they close at 4. Drop your family inside the park and park your car outside on sea shore Free Parking as Park close at 7 PM, lots of summer Light to walk on Picturistic walking tracks, find a wooden stick and enjoy the walk. Rest rooms are available at enterence and in mid area Restaurent. Bring some snacks n coffee and enjoy on your own. Not advised for couples with children on strollers, or they will return soon.🙂

Ordinarily a fantastic family day out though have arrived today to find it is closed for renovation. You’d think the council would update their website but they haven’t. Check before travel. Gardens, visitor centre are closed UFN. Walks are still open, but that’s it.

Only the cafe and campsite are closed. Had a good walk in the woods and garden. A huge adventure playground is open and the toilets next to it.

Great spot. Close to Larne and the ferry ...so made a great spot to walk the dog while waiting for our ferry.

had the pleasure of getting locked in the walled garden?! the car park closes at 4pm. me and my husband were on a walk and ended up walking around the walled garden around 3:30. at 3:45 we went to leave and all the gates were locked, including the one we came in from. no one came to check if anyone was still in there before locking ALL the gates. we tried calling yet no answer, even after calling twice & even called the warden and again, no answer. my husband was able to climb over the gate and manage to get it open. the gates are quite tall and if this happened to someone who was disabled, a child, or elderly they wouldn't be able to climb over as again, they are tall gates. i couldn't even climb over as someone in their 20s. its actually mad how there was no one who worked there around to help and unlock it. we were stuck for like half an hour. besides that, it is a lovely park but this experience was mad.

Kids had a blast! Can't wait to see the renovations and make a return trip.

A lovely place to visit with beautiful gardens and walks. The jubilee garden with the revolving trees is really wonderful. The cafe was nice - jacket potato with ham and brie was very good. There is a art gallery with exhibition plus some pictures by local artists in the cafe conservatory.

Great walk, with plenty to see and history for those inclined. Nice way to spend the afternoon

Lovely place. Nice gardens. Fully accessible, apart from the motte. Cafe.was good. Very efficient and despite the constant queue (well it was lunchtime 😄) it moved well. History, gardens, art exhibition and picnic areas. Parking is a bit tight. Entry to the grounds was free as was the parking. What a great amenity. We will be back

My first time visiting Antrim Castle Gardens it was uch a peaceful scenic walk. Incudes brilliant wood carvings of childhood memories from different kids movies. Loved the themed garden that play the theme from Charlie & the chocolate factory, plus the trees spun round. Such a pleasant surprise 😁. A lovely few hours in the garden then coffee and buns in the cafe.

Great formal gardens. A perfect place for a walk on any day, any season.

Fabulous clock tower garden with a surprise! Ay certain times ,music from Willy wonka starts playing and all the trees and shrubs start twirling and rotating to the music! Amazing 👏

What a lovely green space for locals. Unfortunately the canal was drained but can imagine it full. Poor ducks missing that. Gardens and public spacesvwell maintained.

A must visit place in Antrim. Ample car parking, a mini restaurant, children's playing are and boating facilities are available here

Such a lovely place, even to stop for a walk. The ducks and swans walk right past your feet I'd you stop across from the marina. There are toilets and a cafe there also as well as lots of parking, though toilets and cafe not opened in the evening.

Nice, flat, well maintained walk along the shores of Lough Neagh. Suitable for all abilities. The car park closes at night, so keep an eye out for opening times signage.

Brilliant place to spend the day. It's a great central location for seeing Antrim town, Lough Neagh, Rea's wood, Six Mile Water, Clotworthy House and the Castle gardens. There's plenty of parking, a play park, places to eat and toilet facilities.

A very lovely and serene place for romantic walks and also for families . There is a park for children, cafe and the beautiful gardens to enjoy . The swans and ducks are also a beautiful site ,plus the beautiful lake

Great place to have a picnic and walk along the Sixmilewater River. Interesting displays in Visitor Centre and Restaurant. Good clean toilets.

Its beautiful here and stunning views but to buy drinks and food I think it's expensive. Great place to go for a lovely walk and the golf course is right beside it.

Junction One is probably one of the closest shopping centres if you're coming from places like Cookstown, Magherafelt or Moneymore. It's handy enough if you're local, but don't expect too much - it's open-air, meaning it can get pretty cold and wet, especially during typical Northern Irish weather! A few years back, Junction One almost closed down completely. Thankfully, it bounced back a bit since then, but honestly, it's still nothing spectacular. There's a limited selection of shops, so shopping options are quite modest. On the bright side, the car park is big and convenient, making it easy enough to visit. They occasionally host small, humble events, which add a bit of charm, but overall, it's a pretty average experience.

The shopping centre itself is great, but the Starbucks located inside (not the drive-through) was very disappointing. The hygiene standards were extremely poor, and the toilets were shockingly unclean—honestly, they were in such bad condition that even a pig farm might be better maintained. It really brought down the overall experience. I hope the management addresses this soon.

Never really sure what to make of this place to be honest.bits good for coffee ☕ and has a number of interesting shops. Not sure why but you always feel like the buildings cold do with a good power wash to remove the algae and dirt. The complex is missing something I've just no idea what...

If I could rate zero I would. Had my disabled mother there for a mobility scooter hire and got messed about so badly. English guy that works on the number is so rude and hard to understand. Had us waiting 45 mins and still the scooter never arrived asked a disabled person to walk to collect it to the other end of the shopping centre. It was that bad we ended up leaving as the guy couldn't be bothered to help at all. Won't be back

Used to be better with loads of shops. Great variety. But as years go by, it has shrank the amount of open stores. I was happy to see now more people shopping in here than before. Before was very busy, then the flux went down, but it seems to be picking up, and the weather was great today, as people would rather go out for BBQs and stuff rather than shopping.

All under one roof complete with huge car parking. With many shops with clearance sale. It's a one stop destination for shopping.

Well more active when we got new tenants such as Popeyes and Dobbies but its still small at night time, in early 2025 it was abandoned at nighttime

The grounds are free all week, the house etc, paid entrance weekend's unless your a member, then it's included in membership, but nice woodland walk around perimeter

Interesting Plantation Era House. House guide Ian gave us the history of the house and took us round. A number of modifications/extensions over the years result in various styles throughout the building. The Rose Garden was just about to burst - first week in May. The Forge was operating and producing basic tools and implements. The Farmyard is unique in that it is close to the house. This National Trust property is one of the lesser visited ones and has, therefore, a more intimate feel.

This is a low key NT venue, nicely kept. Not much to view specifically, ie only a small rose garden with 6 beds, though i didn't get inside the house, that might be a good visit. I like the Lady's Mile but for a dog walk it's kind of too short. I recommend creating a circuit on the grounds that goes back and forth and around some of the farmland as well, to make at least a 4 mile walk. The best thing about Ardress House is that it is another option to consider when looking for dog walks in the area.

Had a great day out here with a visit to the farmyard (kids will love feeding those hens and roosters), a guided tour to the beautiful mansion with Georgian decorations, as well as a nice stroll around the gardens and along the Lady's mile walk (took around 30-40 mins to complete). There is also a small playpark on site and ample parking spaces. Definitely worth a visit especially if you happen to be in the Portadown area.

visit 25/10/2021: using National Trust Family membership (fantastic value, pays for itself after just a few visits!). Good walks, family friendly, 3 out of 5 friendly for a pram/buggy as paths can get a bit knotty but still worth doing. Lovely weather on the day helped, the rose garden wasn’t in full bloom but you could still smell the lovely roses when you went to the area. Parking through the tightish archway near the picnic benches not for larger vehicles/nervous drivers so parking is also available a bit further out if needed. Highly recommend a visit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lovely grounds but sadly they have lost a lot of trees due to last winter's storms. In particular a massive Irish Yew was badly damaged. Old farm implements on display in the yard and outhouses really interesting especially if you're of the generation that used them. Tour of the house was interesting and quite informative.

Visited for one of the apple Sunday events and had a great day picking apples, tasting all sorts of apple based foods and drinks and generally wandering around. The staff were lovely. There is a decent sized kids play park with some animals for them to see. Good family day out.

Very well laid out presentation of Seamus Healy's life, man and boy, a famous literary son of Ulster. Very helpful staff and good meals and snacks from the café.

Take some time to yourself. Relax, watch and listen to famous faces and voices recite Seamus Heaneys great works. Explore your surroundings, and be inspired by the interactive activities. There's a good coffee shop/bistro. A must is the gift shop, where you can purchase Heaneys books and gifts, as a memory, keepsake, or to enjoy forever at home.

Amazing resource and wonderful experience to hear Seamus Heaney reading so much of his own work. Not to be missed but allow a minimum of 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. We were there 3 hrs and didn't listen to all his recordings. Would definitely go back. Lovely staff as well - helpful and knowledgeable.

Absolutely amazing food here! The kindness and customer service that these people gave me was incredible. I was able to order a beautiful, delivered tea box for my boyfriend in Northern Ireland from Canada. He absolutely loved it and said it was some of the best food he's ever had. Thank you Jonny and everyone involved for making his day so happy 💕 PS they were even kind enough to include a note on my behalf 😊 5* and highly recommended!

Immersive experience in the words of Seamus Heaney. Well worth a visit. Allow plenty of time!

Popped in for a team breakfast. Lovely staff and delicious food for food prices and portions. Then done the tour of the centre which was really nice. Great stop for sure.

This is a must visit museum if you are in Derry. There are allot of his great poems to listen to and you can learn about the the life and the rural area where Seamus Heaney grew up. The cafe is nice and relaxing and the food was great. The staff were really friendly and there was great customer service. There is also a fun place for the kids to learn.

It's a lovely place for a walk and the grounds and house are kept beautifully, the wee cafe is great too. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I'm a garden person and there isn't much of a garden compared to other national trust properties. There is lovely longer walks though. The house is very beautiful and it definitely has a magical feeling.

The house has been maintained meticulously but I think the NT could do more with the gardens to bring paying visitors in. Also, there’s nothing for sale related to the NT - no books, calendars etc that you see at Mount Stewart. The cafe only provides hot and cold drinks and a few filled donuts, scones and Kit Kats. You can’t get anything savoury to eat. The house itself is not suitable for those with mobility issues and neither are the gardens. The house tour, running on the hour, lasts 45 minutes. Our tour had 12 people. That’s far too many for such small rooms. 8 should be the max. For example, we were nearly on top of each other in the gun room, the child’s bedroom and the main bedroom. I felt the tour was rushed. There was no time to ask questions. The tour guide was constantly checking her watch. It felt like we had to be in certain rooms by certain times or we weren’t running to schedule. I don’t mind schedules but it was so obvious it didn’t feel relaxing and it started to override the visitor experience. That’s not how things operated in Florence Court or Castle Coole. Not sure what the flies were at in the car park as the cars were covered in them.

Beautiful Natuonal trust property with 80% of the original contents. The property has a real family home feel. It's worth getting the tour of the house as it brings everything to life. Well kept grounds and lovely walks. Well worth a visit.

The house was shut due to renovation work. There are a few paths, but these were very muddy and quite slippy when we were there and one was closed. Dutch garden is small but would be lovely in late Spring and Summer. A good place to spend an hour. Entry into gardens is free, you need to pay for entry into the house unless you are a National Trust member

Absolutely beautiful place to visit. The house is stunning with a long and colourful history. The house tour is very interesting and I highly recommend that. The walks around the estate are beautiful and there is lots of information for kids to learn. Staff are so friendly and helpful. The bookshop is great so pay a visit there.

Really glad we stopped by on our way south. Really well presented house and engaged tour guide that made the time go really quickly. Nice but small gardens and good short walks in the grounds.

Keith was our guide. He was brilliant. My partner has a health problem, and Keith carried a chair for him. To sit on from room to room. Exceptional service. This house is guided tours only. Takes about an hour.

Wonderful old house,estate and grounds that oozed history and memories of times gone by. You could imagine the house in all its grandeur, full of vibrancy and class with many stories told and forgotten. Like a monument to begone days it survives with some parts more lost than others. Considering its not a national trust property and relies on volunteers for finance and practical services ,its a lovely testament to the special place it holds for the people of Cookstown and beyond. Really enjoyed my time here walking round all the different aspects of the house, like the stables ,gardens and house itself. Definitely worth a drive up the long lane to experience the magic of a piece of history. The Victorian age of wonder for the gentry, just like Tom's midnight garden, I felt like I'd stepped back in time.

I found this place to be magical. My friend and I walked her dog along 1 of the many paths and discovered some magical things. The pictures should tell most of the story. The house was not open that day. Good carpark, excellent toilets, ordinary and disabled. There are picnic tables and plenty of bins. Lots of notice boards and info to read. House is open but not everyday. My advise check out website. I'm not a photographer but tried to capture as much as possible as clear as possible. There were dog bowls of water provided. I thought the place was well worth the visit

Lissan House is a rare, untouched piece of history. It feels as if the last owner has just walked out the door and has beautiful features of various periods. The tour is phenomenal, I would highly recommend. The tour guide was a wealth of knowledge. For such a small fee, I would recommend anyone in the area visiting to go on the tour.

Listen to the birds singing, water flowing, explore the tree lined paths and enjoy a picnic on the lawn after a tour of the house..

Stumbled upon this place by accident on a day trip to the local area and what a gem it is. We enjoyed a picnic and walk in the grounds, such a peaceful and interesting place. I would love the opportunity to enjoy the house tour on another occasion....a place lost in time.

First visit to this really quirky old house. Loved it. The estate has a lovely rivervwalk and lots of picturesque, crumbling outbuildings. The house oozes shabby chic charm and is wonderfully preserved full of interesting bits and pieces. You really get to step back in time. The tour we had was relaxed and we were allowed to take photos and get up close to everything. We loved it and want to go back again for afternoon tea.

Step back in time in this glorious old family home,lovingly kept by a dedicated team of volunteers. Its steeped in history dating back to the 1600s and is set back on its own land. Full of all period furniture throughout its 3 floors. The grand staircase winds up to all 3 levels leading onto spacious landings with corridors leading of to its many rooms. A lovely day out to walk the forest trails and explore the house itself.

Absolute disgrace health hazard absalotely bogging hardly any animals any there had no water it was 22 degrees cows running loose a pure rip off

Doing a tour of the Royals, I became intrigued by the allure of Portstewart, not originally on the agenda. I understood the front nine to be some of the best links golf holes anywhere, and the back nine to be a bit of a let down. Not so. The front nine did not disappoint but the back nine was superb. The welcome was warm. I teed off as a single at 5 PM and the pace of play was excellent. I was done by 8:40 with players ahead and behind.

Played the old course and the Strand 23/24 July. Myself and playing Partner were very impressed with the quality of service provided by the pro shop (Main club house and Old course). Jamie and Ian couldn’t have been anymore helpful, we really appreciated their time and support! Thank you Portstewart for the hospitality, we will return again! Please feel free to contact me for any complimentary golf!! Matt Clark

Wow! Best staff I’ve encountered at a club here, Ian the PGA pro and Laura and Ule in the pro shop are increjble. I've played the old course a few times a week since arriving and love it. Great to see the full 18 open now. Course conditions are beautiful as is the view.

The experience from arrival in the proshop, upstairs for a coffee and then playing the Riverside was all very positive. Loved the course even though we had hail and heavy rain for a few holes. It all added to the experience of playing a links course.

Very good course, but I am rating it less than five stars because in my opinion it did not live up to the hype. There are many good and challenging holes, but the par threes in particular felt redundant. Staff were very nice and welcoming.

Outstanding! Great food in The Strand afterwards. The Pro Shop, hired bag, club house, cleanliness and overall professionalism was 5 star. We'll be back!!

Excellent course in excellent condition ! Thoroughly enjoyed my round here and will be returning. Definitely rings true as the best opening hole in Northern Ireland. Front 9 os framed beautifully by the surrounding dunes. A really special experience and I look forward to returning. Got very lucky with some very favourable weather - can imagine it’s a bell of a challenge when the wind gets up- A MUST VISIT FOR GOLFERS

Tranquility of the place with the breath taking views attracted my attention. We stayed in Coleraine, small town with everything you need within walking distance and seasides and other attractions within 15-30 minutes by car. There are many campsites worth to check out when you visit during the holidays. People are very nice and place is amazing. Honestly if I could I would move here immediately. Nothern Ireland is one of the jewels, I will visit again. Roads are perfectly maintained, as well as public toilets on site. Home-made cakes in caffès are incomparably delicious to those from supermarkets. If you visit Causeway giants, don’t forget to book a tour guy. He is hilarious with their stories. By the way, you don’t need a car there as from Belfast you can take a train and everything else is well connected by public transport with a proximity every 30 minutes frequency between 9am -5pm. Ireland is family friendly place , so remember, shopping after 4pm is possible only in supermarkets, local shops would be shut by 4 pm. Lovely walk to Mussenden Temple, beware of eroded cliffs not to stand on the edge. Bushmills distillery is must, but if you are not a fun of alcohol at least try Irish coffee, it’s sensational ( beware-very strong /double shot) Well all these very possible due to friendly staff of Europcar hiring company giving us a lots of leaflets to visit places ( say hello to Petra) Well, we spent here only 4 fantastic days with unusually sunny weather, but don’t get put off if it is raining. There is not such a thinks like a bad weather - just bad clothing! So pop a rain coat and proper shoe-ware and you would be fine. The walks will be just extra slippery,so walk with precaution and get walking sticks. Overall, Causeway Coastal Route is worth time to visit , and just an hour away from Belfast International Airport . Thank you Ireland for unforgettable memories. ❤️🇮🇪

This beach is absolutely beautiful. You can actually drive onto this two mile stretch of golden sand. We went cold water swimming here, early in the morning, with a group of local swimmers and it was so exhilarating!

Beautiful Beach. There were warnings up 23rd Sept, 25, about blue/green algae. Not safe for swimming. No visual signs of the algae when we were there on the 1st Oct. 2025.

Coming here for 50 years- it hasn’t changed much. Beautiful to walk, drive on , take a picnic or challenge yourself to surfing. Great for all ages

Stunning Beach..Large expanse of golden sand where people park their cars ..Harry's bar great place to get refreshments..run by the National Trust

Gorgeous place for walking, but wish they didn't allow car parking on the beach, which detracts from the natural beauty.

Beautiful well kept beach. Later evening is beautiful for watching the sunset.

We recently had the pleasure of chartering our own boat for a family trip in Portrush, and it was truly a highlight of our visit. From the moment we booked, Andy was incredibly helpful and professional, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. When we arrived, both Andy and Dave welcomed us warmly and immediately made us feel at ease. Their friendly and relaxed manner set the tone for what turned out to be a truly memorable outing. The boat was comfortable, and the experience was the perfect mix of informative and fun. We learned interesting local facts along the way while also having plenty of time to soak in the stunning scenery and enjoy each other’s company. We even went for a swim! This trip was ideal for our family group – relaxing, enjoyable, and expertly hosted. We can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re visiting Portrush and looking for a unique way to explore the coast, this is an absolute must-do!

Amazing time, we undertook the dive course with them and they were amazing, Andy is a brilliant instructor and great craic. We went out on the boat and it was also an amazing experience, you haven’t seen the true beauty of the north coast until you’ve gone by boat we’ll be back soon!

beautiful new boat. Excellent trip and would do it again. Beautiful scenery of Causeway coast - just magnificent. We had Richard as our tour guide, patient - stopping and explaining along the way. Expert at handling the boat; esp as it was extremely choppy. helpful staff from booking to boarding. safe experience. A*****

Had an amazing time snorkleling around the rope bridge. The instructors were very very nice and helpful, Would love to come back for the scuba diving.

Fantastic day out touring the Causeway Coast from the sea with Aquaholics. Richard was a great guide, with wildlife spotting and coastal scenery and history en route. Highly recommended excursion.

Best experience of any online shop I have had! I am travelling to Malta and wanted to get the Scubapro Galileo HUD dive computer. I was a bit worried that it wouldn't arrive in time but Aquaholics pulled through and were amazing throughout, even messaging on the weekend/holidays. Product is perfect too, perfect because you don't have to look down at your dive computer all the time and it doesn't obscure your view at all really.

Brilliant Puffin Express boat trip with Aquaholics today. We set off from Ballycastle and went out to Rathlin and along the coast. Richard was very knowledgeable about the area and the boat was very clean and safe. A few of us even got a quick swim out near Carrick-a-rede rope bridge which was a very special experience that we’ll never forget. Great company, highly recommend :)