10 places to visit in Northern Ireland, as non-drivers!

Being a non-driver and a lover of adventure, I feel this post needed to be written. Because I had a thought, a thought that perhaps there would be other families, like us, who love adventure, don’t drive and would love to know where they can go and how to get there. Which are my key reasons for this post! So, I have put together 10 places that we’ve visited here in Northern Ireland, as non-drivers, how we got there & what you can do!

Minnowburn National Trust

We visited Minnowburn for the first time two summers ago. I heard about it by chance and 100% thought that it was impossible to get to via public transport. Granted, it’s not the easiest place to get to, even on a bus, you can get there. 

To get there, we took two buses, which is normal for us because we live about five miles out of Belfast City. But we caught the 513 {you can also catch the 13D} from the Europa Bus station. Get off on the Milltown/Malone Road, near Shaws Bridge and walk along the path under the Shaws Bridge on the south of the River Lagan.

The buses are quite regular, but just be sure to have the Translink app downloaded to your phone to keep track of bus times. 

At the Minnowburn National Trust site, you’ll find gorgeous woodland walks, a natural play park, take the Terrace Hill trail or play pooh sticks in the river. 

There is a place for refreshments, such as the Piccolo Mondo coffee & Pizza van. We haven’t eaten here yet because it wasn’t there when we last visited. However, we enjoyed a picnic on a little table and chairs crafted out of wood. Very cute!

However, when we pop along again this year, we will be sure to check it out and update you on prices and our thoughts. There are toilets on-site at Malone House and due to being owned by the council is open Mon-Fri between the hours of 9 am-5 pm. This location is also free to visit. 

Ballycastle

Ballycastle is a small seaside town in County Antrim, along the Causeway Coastal route and it is nothing short of stunning. To get to Ballycastle, we got a train to Coleraine from Great Victoria Train Station in Belfast. From Coleraine train station, we walked a few minutes {which is literally across the street} to Coleraine Bus station and we hopped on the 402 towards Ballycastle, Marine Corner. In fairness, it’s a pretty straight forward journey. 

If you’ve never been to Ballycastle before, when you arrive at your stop, you’ll have the sea on your left and the Marine Hotel on your right. The bus stop you get off is called Marine Corner and it’s easy to see why. 

There is a gorgeous play park right on the seafront, which is perfect for kids of all ages. It is on the sand, so nice and soft for the little ones. There are lovely walkways and then, of course, you have the Ballycastle Strand. A beautiful stretch of beach where the kids and I loved flying our kites. 

There are little shops along the high street, as well as a few cafes, ice-cream shops and what is known as the ‘best’ chip shop in Ballycastle, Morton’s Fish & Chips.

This came recommended to us before our Ballycastle adventure. So, after an afternoon of exploring and the kids having a swim in the Irish sea, we can confirm that they are in fact, the best fish and chips we’ve ever tasted! Really great for the price but be careful of its popularity as sometimes, like the time we went to order {which was around 6 pm on a Friday}, the queue was out the door.

If you take a walk past Morton’s Fish and Chips and just beyond the Blue flag Marina, then you’ll come to the Visitor Centre. Which includes a little shop, lots of fabulous information on what more you can do in Ballycastle. Which includes getting a ferry over to Rathlin Island. As for places to stay, the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle is a lovely choice. 

Rathlin Island

We visited Rathlin Island last summer and I can honestly say, it was the most beautiful and fun adventure of the year. The beauty of the island just floors you and the treasures it holds? Well, you’ll just have to check it out for yourself! 

Rathlin Island is just 6 miles off the coast of Ballycastle, across the Sea of Moyle. You can catch one of two ferry’s available from the Rathlin Island Ferry port near to the Visitor Information Centre in Ballycastle.

There is the RE, with is the Rathlin Express and takes 25 mins to make the journey across the Sea of Moyle. There is also the SOR, the Spirit of Rathlin and this is a vehicle ferry and takes 40 mins to reach the island.

All timetables of ferry’s and prices are all available on their website. The cost of one adult and 3 children over 5 {under 5’s go free} is cost me £30 return. 

The kids loved the ferry over. It was smooth, the sun was shining {which was an added bonus} and there is always a chance to see dolphins swim beside the boat. However, on both of our ferry journeys, we weren’t lucky enough. Maybe this year? 

Once you get off the ferry, there is a bus waiting for you to take you up to the RSPB West Light Seabird centre. The cost of this bus is £5 per adult and £3 per child {I think}. They are very regular and will give you a pick-up time for your return journey. 

The price to access the Seabird centre cost me £10 for myself and 3 children. However, you don’t just get access to the seabird centre, it also gives you access to the West Lighthouse. This is one of the three lighthouses on the island and also known Ireland’s only upside-down lighthouse. 

You have the chance to explore the lighthouse, which is laid out like a museum. Then you’re able to walk out onto the clifftops, use the binoculars supplied to spot seals bottling in the waters below.

If you go between May & August, then you’ll catch sightings of the puffins that migrate to the cliffs to lay their eggs. If you’re a keen ornithologist, then you’ll love the Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Fulmars and Razorbills too. 

Rathlin Island is 100% worth a visit!

Castlerock and Downhill Demesne

We are regulars to Castlerock. In fact, we had a caravan there when I was a child, so every school break or summer holiday was spent in Castlerock. It is a beautiful seaside village in County Londonderry which is along the Causeway Coast. It is the perfect location for walks along its blue flag beach or up to Downhill Demesne. 

Getting to Castlerock is easy. As non-drivers, we just get on a train at Yorkgate train station – hop on the Derry line and ride it all the way to Castlerock train station. The trains are regular, however, getting back they get farther apart and will usually have a changeover at Coleraine Station.

A family & friends return ticket with Translink costs £19 {£17 during the summer months}, so it’s cheap to travel to. The journey, by train, takes around 1hr 20mins. 

Castlerock is a pretty small village and has 2 caravan parks, a surf shack where you can hire out surfing equipment and have a coffee. There is Potts of Adventure which also hires out wetsuits and bodyboards. It also has everything you’d need for the beach from buckets, spades, beach towels and kites to fly.

There is a Costcutter supermarket and Ruth’s Bakery {which has been around since I was a little girl}. You have the Rock bar as soon as you get off the train as well as Berthas Beer Garden just by the beach. We’ve had food in both places and my advice? Order food in Berthas, it’s much nicer {and cheaper!}.

The caravan sites are pretty expensive to stay in, I was quoted £450 for one week – which I thought was crazy prices! However, there is a selection or AirBnB’s in the village too that are worth checking out. 

The beautiful walk up to Downhill Demesne, owned by the National Trust. Can be reached by walking up the Black Glen, passed the gorgeous lake, by Bishops Gate and up to Downhill.

They say that the famous author C.S. Lewis {who was born in Belfast} holidayed in Castlerock and as a child, took inspiration from Downhill House for some of his books which included The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. 

Every year, Downhill House hosts a Kite Festival with the National Trust and me and the kids absolutely love it. No better place to fly a kite! 

Mussenden Temple

This gorgeous location is perched on top of a 120ft cliff near Castlerock and Downhill Demesne. Mussenden Temple looms above the Atlantic ocean with the most glorious views. The temple was built in 1785 and its original purpose was to be a summer library for the Bishop of Derry. 

This is a National Trust site and is on the grounds of Hezlett House. It is a beautiful location to tick off your list, plenty of space for the kids to run around and the views from inside are nothing short of spectacular! 

The Giants Causeway

The Giants Causeway, I would say, is one of Northern Ireland’s most famous attractions. It is a World Heritage and National Trust site and it is located on the North Coast of County Antrim. You can get there via the 218 bus from the Europa Bus Station in Belfast. You get off the bus at Coleraine bus station and board the 172 towards Ballycastle and get off at the Giants Causeway The Nook.

If preferred, you can also board a train at Yorkgate train station in Belfast and get off at Coleraine. To catch the 172 bus to the Giants Causeway, you can just walk across the road to the bus station and still board the 172 towards Ballycastle and disembark at the most famous columns in the world. 

I took my gang there for the first time last summer, all together and we had a really great time. The cost to enter the Causeway via the visitor’s centre can be quite expensive. However, if you are a National Trust member then it’s free. You can find the admission prices for the Giants Causeway on their website. 

However, if you’d like to take a different route to the Causeway, you can look into the Giants Causeway Bus Tour with Irish Tours and City Sightseeing tours in Belfast.

We took a bus tour with them at the end of the summer in 2019 and we got to see around 7 different locations around the North Coast. I highly recommend looking into the bus tour if that is your thing.

If you aren’t a picnic fan like we are, then you can enjoy a lovely meal in the Causeway Hotel – we reviewed it 2 summers ago and the food was incredible. Definitely worth checking out! 

Ulster Museum

The Ulster Museum is another much-loved location of ours, as non-drivers. It has around 8,000sq metres of space inside and can easily keep the family happy for a good couple of hours. It’s free to visit, however, a suggested donation is a nice thing to provide. It helps to keep this beautiful building open to the public for free. 

Inside you will find all kinds of treasures and curiosities from Dinosaurs and an Egyptian mummy!

The kids can absorb all of the amazing sights in the Science Discovery Zone not forgetting the amazing touch and feel zone. There are loads to see and do and enough to keep the adults intrigued as well. 

We love the museum and make maybe two visits per year? Let’s face it, it’s free, fun and we always have a great time. 

Ulster Folk Museum

The Ulster Folk Museum in Cultra is a gorgeous place to spend the day with the family. You can step back in time and experience what life was like over 100 years. See how people lived, what they cooked with, how they got by with day to day things.

As for the admission prices, the cost for 1 adult and 3 children is £22. Which I thought was quite reasonable. Especially since you are able to bring along a picnic and eat at one of the many picnic areas around the grounds. 

It’s all very interesting and when we visited last Spring we got to join in on their Easter festivities. Something to check out if you are going to visit. They do have an events section on their website, so keep at eye on it. 

To get there, as a nondriver, you can get a train from Yorkgate to Mossley Mill. Check Translink for times and then get the train to Cultra. From Cultra train station, the Ulster Folk Museum is about a 15min walk bypassing the Ulster Transport museum on your way. 

HMS Caroline

The HMS Caroline is a decommissioned C-class light Royal Navy cruiser. It saw combat of the First World War and served as an administrative vessel in the Second World War. She has also found her home, anchored at Alexandra Dock in Belfast. 

It is such an interesting ship to board but to also venture through the historical spaces of the Captain’s quarters. the crew canteen and their bunks. The kids even learned about the soldiers who lived on board the ship, which was fascinating.

You can even stop for a bite to eat at the Mess Deck Cafe – it’s a little expensive but the chocolate cake is so good – totally makes it worth it. 

Just outside there is a maritime-themed play park for the children to play on as well as a picnic area. Picnics are totally our thing, so it’s nice that everyone is being supplied for in this area of the Titanic Quarter. 

Newcastle

Newcastle is a small seaside town in County Down, which resides just over 7000 people. So pretty small! It lies, not only by the Irish Sea but also at the foot of Slieve Donard. The highest of the Mourne Mountains. You’ve heard of the Mourne Mountains, right? If not, you’re missing out! They are stunning. 

In my younger days, as an RAF cadet, we hiked many a Mourne Mountain and even camped up there. Such amazing memories. However, getting to Newcastle is pretty easy. You can get the 237 from the Europa Bus Station straight to Newcastle town. The journey takes around 1 hr 30 mins – but it’s a beautiful drive through the countryside. 

The wee town has everything from shops, amusement arcades {which were the children#s highlight}, a beautiful beach and even an outdoor swimming pool called Tropicana. I didn’t bring the kids swimming bits with us during our visit to Newcastle last year {which, the littlest was a little annoyed at me for!} – so we will pop by this year! 

Last summer when we visited, Annabelle wanted to go up into the Mournes. I didn’t think we could get up there, however, that’s when Life with Christine informed me of the Mourne Rambler bus, operated by Translink! So we will be looking into that for this Summer and we will keep you posted on prices and our thoughts!

So, there we go! My 10 places to visit in Northern Ireland as a non-driver! I really hope you enjoyed this post as I really had fun putting it together. We have a few places to visit this year as non-drivers, which is very exciting. I will, of course, update this post later on in the year once I have written everything down for you!

To make your travel memories even more personal, try customizing your Northern Ireland trip with a pin. It not only commemorates your trip but also makes for a unique gift.

Custom Pin Badges can incorporate iconic Northern Irish elements and attractions, and you can even add a personal touch, like engraving your name and travel date. Pin badges are flexible and fast to design, with a short turnaround time and delivery cycle.

Pin the pin on a travel backpack or denim jacket to evoke the sea breeze and history of Northern Ireland every time you see it.

Have you ever visited any of the places I mentioned above? 

PIN ME FOR LATER!