In search of Giants with National Trust NI
A few weeks ago we were invited along to visit the historical basalt columns at the Giants Causeway, with National Trust NI. I have visited the Giants Causeway a few times when I was younger.
Since we don’t drive, I was a little worried about how we were going to get there. The only way I knew of getting to the Causeway was via those tour buses that we regularly saw on the streets in Belfast City. That wasn’t what we wanted.
However, we did manage to get a train to Coleraine and then get a bus to the Causeway National Trust NI site rather than trying to get a bus directly from Belfast. Handy tip! So it was amazing that getting to the Giants Causeway, as a non-driver, was actually easier than we thought.
As soon as we arrived at the Giants Causeway we stopped off for lunch at The Causeway Hotel – nothing beats a good feed before going on a glorious coastal walk! And after our bellies had been filled and little bladders had been emptied, it was time to go on our search of Giants.
The Giants Causeway
We got our complimentary tickets and walked straight through the new interactive visitor centre {as we decided to leave that until after our walk}. It was a job getting the fournager through after her seeing all of the buttons she could press & basking shark mouths that she could sit in. But we made it! Just…
When you walk out the back of the visitor centre there’s a bus available to take you to the columns. This is operated by Translink and costs £1 per person {to be paid each way – for non-members} – however it was such a lovely day that we decided to walk down and get the bus on the way back up after we were done.
Did you know?
In case you didn’t know, the Giants Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a geological wonder that has over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The Giants Causeway was formed as a result of intense volcanic and geological activity however some folk also believe in the legend of Finn McCool. The giant of Giants Causeway!
He is said to have carved the stones from the coastline and left behind an ancient home full of folklore and imagination. My little girl loved the notion of searching for Giants during our visit. And it added a real sense of magic and adventure to our day, too.
There is a selection of different walking trails at the Giants Causeway; Green {Easy}, Blue {Moderate}, Red {Difficult} & Yellow {Challenging} – we had a four-year-old with us so it was the green trail for us. It was a lovely gentle walk {which was perfect for our little girl} and the views were unbelievable.
On the green trail, we came across the Giants boot – queue my daughter’s excitement {& amusement} at Finn McCool losing his boot! Legend has it that Finn McCool lost his boot as he fled the wrath of the Scottish giant, Benandonner.
After our walk along the coast and the columns. The new innovative Visitor centre was the result of an International Architecture Competition. And it was a Dublin-based architect that won the 18.5 million commission to design the building.
To enter the Visitor Centre as a family of four would cost £26.25. I do find this to be a bit on the expensive side. However, there are lots of things to entertain the kids with. Such as wooden figures to tell stories and paper rubbings. Interactive information stations and a giant movie screen telling the story of Finn McCool and more.
Also if you are staying over at The Causeway Hotel then you get complimentary access to the visitor’s centre. So that is something to consider. However, it is possible to visit the columns without access to the Visitors centre if that was your wish.
The Giants Causeway Visitor Centre
Before leaving, our own little rascal couldn’t leave without her very own Finn McCool sword & shield. Could she?
PIN IT FOR LATER!
*Huge thanks to the National Trust NI for inviting us along, we had a really lovely time. We were given complimentary passes as well as lunch in The Causeway hotel in return for an honest review. All thoughts, photos & opinions are entirely my own.
Oh wow, this looks like such a gorgeous place to visit! It’s definitely on my to-visit list and I should be getting NT membership this year!
Your photographs certainly make the place look very beautiful! I’ve had National Trust membership before but never released the Giant’s Causeway was part of it!
Oliver x
Hi Oliver – thank you so much, what a nice thing to say. I’ve never had a National Trust membership, but it’s certainly something I am going to look into.
It was well worth it! We visited so many NT sites when we had it, you make the money back in no time!
Oliver x
This looks like an absolutely beautiful walk! I’ve never heard of the Giant’s Causeway before, but now I’m desperate to visit!
How crazy is that – that you’ve never heard of the Giants Causeway before! It’s such a gorgeous place, so if you’re ever here in N.I, you must try & visit!
It sounds like an utterly amazing time, and a place I would love to go and visit. Some fabulous photos there as well!
It is such beautiful place and my photos really don’t do it justice. Thank you, though!