Holidays in County Antrim

County Antrim packs a lot into a short drive. You get one of the most photographed coastlines in these islands, a scattering of castles and country houses, and enough indoor options to rescue a wet afternoon. Portrush sits at the top of the county as a natural base, and with 171 places to stay on BritStays across the region, you can pick somewhere near the north coast or further down towards the glens and still reach most of the highlights without a long day in the car.

The outdoor must-sees

The Giant's Causeway is the headline act, and it earns it — a coastal site where the walking is as much a part of the visit as the stones themselves. Wear proper shoes, allow longer than you think, and go early or late if you'd rather not share it with a coach party.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is the other coastal set piece. It's a short walk out along the cliffs to the crossing, and the views are the reward whether or not anyone in your group fancies the bridge itself. Further west, Portstewart Strand is a National Trust beach — the kind of long, flat sand that suits kite-flying, dog-walking and a flask of tea in equal measure.

Inland, the Dark Hedges is a quick stop rather than a day: an avenue of beeches that photographs beautifully and takes about twenty minutes of your time. Pair it with something else nearby rather than making a special trip.

Family days out

Portrush is where the family-friendly options cluster. Curry's Fun Park is the classic seaside theme park stop, and The Lake Kilrea WaterPark gives older children somewhere to burn off energy properly. For something gentler, North Coast Alpacas suits younger children and anyone who'd rather walk and meet animals than queue for rides.

• Younger children: North Coast Alpacas, then the sands at Portstewart Strand
• Older children and teenagers: The Lake Kilrea WaterPark or Curry's Fun Park
• Mixed ages: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, where the walk works even if nobody crosses

Rainy-day options

Coleraine Museum is the handiest indoor stop on the north coast, and small enough that it won't swallow a whole day. Seamus Heaney HomePlace is the county's standout museum — a proper hour or two for anyone with an interest in poetry, language or the landscape that shaped it, and worth the drive even in good weather.

If the forecast is grim for a full day, Belfast is the fallback. W5 is the obvious choice with children, while Thompson Dock Pump House, George Best's Family Home and Rainforest House give you options for different tastes. PJ Land suits the youngest. Treat it as a day out in itself rather than something squeezed in after a coastal walk.

Heritage and castles

Hezlett House is a National Trust property and an easy, low-effort visit near the coast — good for an hour when the weather turns. Glenarm Castle and Ballygally Castle sit down the eastern side of the county, so group them together rather than treating either as a detour from the Causeway end. Drenagh and Kilchrist Castle round out the heritage list for anyone collecting country houses and castles.

How to group it into a sensible day

The temptation is to string the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Dark Hedges into one day. It's doable, but it's a long one. A calmer version:

• North coast day: Giant's Causeway in the morning, lunch, then Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge or the Dark Hedges — not both.
• Portrush family day: North Coast Alpacas, then Curry's Fun Park or The Lake Kilrea WaterPark, finishing on Portstewart Strand.
• Heritage day: Hezlett House and Coleraine Museum in the west, or Glenarm Castle and Ballygally Castle in the east.
• Wet day: Seamus Heaney HomePlace, or head to Belfast for W5 and Thompson Dock Pump House.

Where to eat

We don't currently list any eating places in County Antrim with a five-star food hygiene rating, so we're not going to point you at somewhere we can't stand over. Portrush has the densest run of options on the north coast, and you can check any venue's current rating yourself before you book. If you're travelling with children or anyone with dietary needs, a self-catering stay with a decent kitchen takes the pressure off — one or two meals out rather than three.

Turning it into a short break

Three nights is the sweet spot: one coastal day, one family or heritage day, and one flexible day held back for whatever the weather allows. Basing yourself near Portrush keeps the Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Portstewart Strand and the Portrush attractions all within an easy drive, with Seamus Heaney HomePlace and Glenarm Castle as longer outings.

Practically: book Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Giant's Causeway ahead where you can, as both get busy and parking fills first. Check National Trust opening for Hezlett House and Portstewart Strand before you set out, since shoulder-season hours are shorter. Pack waterproofs regardless of the forecast, keep one indoor option in reserve each day, and don't plan anything that depends on a specific arrival time on a Causeway Coast day — traffic on the coast road is unpredictable in summer.