Places to explore

We don’t just have beaches to enjoy…

Wild swimming is massive round here, so you’ll see people of all ages in the water with or without a wetsuit. Some of the beaches – including White Park Bay and Runkerry – do have a bit of a current and aren’t advised for swimming. Instead opt for White Rocks, Portrush East Strand, Portstewart or Ballintoy if you fancy a dip.

If you want to try surfing, SUPing and even jet skis, they all are available with lessons and through hire. On a windy day, expect to see the kitesurfers flock to Portstewart Strand.

If you like exploring, there’s the clifftop walk from Dunseverick harbour to the Giant’s Causeway (3.7 miles long), which has some stunning views. It’s a lovely way to approach the Causeway and you can head down the steps to go down onto the rocks.

We recommend walking from Dunseverick and then catching the bus back from outside the Causeway Centre. The last bus runs around 6.20pm. Don’t miss it, as taxis aren’t that common.

And of course, there are the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour and Carrick-a-Rede to discover (all feature in Game of Thrones). Ballintoy has a beautiful wild muddy beauty and some of the Coasteering trips also start here. If you do have your dog with you, the rules have changed recently and dogs must be on a lead if walked round across to White Park Bay.

Carrick-a-Rede is stunning, but not for those with vertigo (I used to lie on the cliff and wait for my brother to return from his rope bridge adventures). Last entry for the bridge is a rather early 2.30pm and make sure you book a ticket before you visit if you do want to cross the divide.

Other walks we love are in Ballypatrick Forest (about 25 minutes away) and Glenariff Country Park (a little further at around 45 minutes). We’ve seen red deer in Ballypatrick forest, but they are quite shy. Glenariff is rightly called the Queen of the Glens. The longest of the walks is 7 miles long and takes you to the very top of the glen, but the shorter paths still take in some of the waterfalls. Nearby there’s also Glenarm Forest Park. You can also spot red squirrels here if you’re lucky.

Then over in the other direction round by Benone, you’ll find the Mussenden Temple, a 19th century folly, which sits in beautiful gardens before you amble across the open fields to the cliff edge.

If gardens are your thing, then head to Glenarm Castle Estate, the walled garden is beautiful (but doesn’t allow dogs) but you can sit at the picnic tables at the tea room with your pup and it’s great for a snack. There’s also an ice cream parlour and pizza pavilion on site in the summer months, and the castle shop has local smoked salmon from the bay, Northern Irish cheeses, and beef from the castle’s Shorthorn herd for sale. If you do fancy visiting Glenarm, there is also the entrance to the forest in the village, where you’ll find a beautiful river walk (our dog loves it there).

And if you happen to be in Glenarm the first Saturday of the month, you’ll find the Community Market is on in Eglinton Yard down in the harbour, which you’ll find packed with lots of talented local makers.

If you’re further inland, near Antrim, stop at the Lough Shore Park. But be careful if you are walking your dog, as this was one of the spots hit badly by the blue green algae last year. Ask other walkers before you let your pups off the lead.

But one of our favourite walks starts at Cozies itself. We also often head to the bottom of our drive and turn left. You can walk down and across the Cozies Road for a lovely relaxing walk in the early evening, as it’s a relatively quiet road. There is the added benefit of several of our neighbours selling fresh duck and hen eggs down there. The sales work on a trust system. Each box is a pound, and you’ll find them in the postboxes by the road.

And if shopping is more your thing and you’re after hoodies and T-shirts, then head to Woodies Surf Shop or Troggs – both are in Portrush. Local art and design pieces can be found in the Designerie in Bushmills, which has artist workshops upstairs, the Boat House Gallery at the Causeway, which is out of the way but has lovely pottery, Frankie Creith’s art gallery in Portrush, and Gallery 1608 in Bushmills.

Looking for dog supplies? Then we have an excellent independent pet store in Bushmills called Pets at the Causeway. Housed in a warehouse at the edge of the village, they have everything you might need and can also make recommendations if you need them.

And obviously if you’re a whiskey fan, just pop down to the distillery. The tours around the place are fascinating as are the tasting sessions. I took my husband for his birthday one year and got a taxi home afterwards. (Try Causeway Taxis on 07715 177 129, but be aware they sometimes don’t work Sundays). It’s an easy 45-minute walk home from Bushmills, if you fancy an amble to clear your head.

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, you may want to make a trip to Steensen’s jewellery workshop in Glenarm. They designed the jewellery for much of the show and often have pieces on display.

And if furniture is your thing, then drop into Morelli Designs on the outskirts of Portrush. Sylvano specialises in resin tables, but make sure you ring ahead though, to check he’s in.