Camping in Northern Ireland

For the majority of the last ice age, Northern Ireland was covered by an ice sheet. This has shaped the Northern Irish landscape into mountains, drumlins and river valleys. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, family holiday or activity break, Northern Ireland is the ideal location for your next camping trip.

Causeway Coastal Route

The Causeway Coastal Route begins in Belfast, in the south east of County Antrim, and ends in County Londonderry in the north west. Stretching for over 80 miles of the Northern Irish coastline, this route includes some of the most beautiful landmarks in the country.

Along the way, you’ll pass the Giant’s Causeway, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Dating back to a volcanic age almost 60 million years ago, the Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s most iconic landscape. Legend tells us that the pathway was built by Irish giant Finn mac Cumhail, who wanted to cross the Atlantic Ocean to fight Scottish giant Benandonner.

Just a short distance down the coast, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is one of the essential places to visit when touring the Causeway Coastal Route. First erected by salmon fishermen in 1755, the bridge is suspended 100ft above sea level. Crossing the bridge provides panoramic views of the craggy coastline as well as the ideal photographic opportunity.

Built around 1500 by the MacQuillan family, Dunluce Castle is an iconic ruin perched upon the Northern Irish coastline. In the 1550’s, the MacDonnell clan seized the castle and over the next few centuries it suffered a long and tumultuous history. Today, you can stand among the ruins and envisage the castle the way it once was.

Beautiful Belfast

No trip to Northern Ireland would be complete without a visit to the capital of North Ireland, Belfast; a city that is often described as an unspoilt treasure and was voted as the best place to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. With Victorian architecture, botanical gardens and a fascinating, albeit turbulent history, Belfast is one of the best cities in the UK.

Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 on the site of the former Harland and Wolff shipyard in the city’s Titanic Quarter; where the iconic RMS Titanic was built. Make your way through 9 interactive galleries of the Titanic Experience and uncover the story of the ship’s conception, construction, launch and tragic maiden voyage.

Set on the slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle exhibits unobstructed views of the city of Belfast and surrounding countryside. The Cave Hill area of North Belfast is home to a basaltic outcrop known locally as Napoleon’s Nose; supposedly the inspiration for Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels. Built in the 1860s, Belfast Castle is one of the city’s most visited landmarks.

Located in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, the Ulster Museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences. Completely free to all visitors, the museum tells the story of the people of the north of Ireland, from ancient times to present day.

10 Top Things to do in Northern Ireland

Our Delamont Country Park Club Site in Northern Ireland is the ideal base from which to explore the plethora of activities and major attractions in Northern Ireland. With deserted castle ruins, galleries and museums, camping in Northern Ireland is the perfect choice for your next trip.

1. Giant’s Causeway

Situated on the Northern Irish coastline, the Giant’s Causeway is a dramatic landscape of jagged cliffs and interlocking basalt columns. For centuries, the Giant’s Causeway has inspired artists, enchanted visitors and spurred mystical mythology.

2. Carrick-a-Rede

Stretching 20 metres across a 100ft deep chasm, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge links the mainland of County Antrim with the tiny island of Carrickarede. It is famous around the world and attracts thousands of visitors each year. When standing on the middle of the bridge, the views are truly spectacular. Today, it is a designated Area of Special Scientific Interest.

3. Titanic Belfast

Following three years of construction, the RMS Titanic set sail for New York and eventually sank in arguably the most famous marine disaster of all time. The Titanic Belfast Experience takes you on a tour through the construction of how the Titanic was built and the impact it had on the city of Belfast. Explore the shipyard and walk the decks as the interactive galleries bring the Titanic to life.

4. Dark Hedges

Planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century, the Dark Hedges make up a beautiful avenue of beech trees leading up to the Stuart’s Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. In recent years, the Dark Hedges have gained notoriety for appearing as the location for the Kingsroad in HBO’s epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones.

5. Explore Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is situated on the rocky cliffs of the northern coastline of County Antrim, between the seaside resorts of Portrush and Ballintoy. The castle was taken by the MacDonnells in 1554 and is still owned by them today. The castle is also the film location of the great castle of Pyke in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

6. Climb Slieve Binnian

If you love a scenic hike, Slieve Binnian is a must. Situated in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, Slieve Binnian is the third highest mountain in North Ireland, standing tall and mighty at 747 meters! Whilst not the biggest mountain in Northern Ireland, many believe it to have the best view from the top than any other mountain in Northern Ireland.

7. Ballycastle 2-Hour Kayaking Tour

Starting in the beautiful town of Ballycastle, the Ballycastle Kayak tour takes you around some of the most famous sites in Northern Ireland, including Kinbane Castle and Carrick-A-Reed rope bridge where you can see the bridge from a unique perspective.

8. Travel Cuilcagh's Boardwalk Trail

Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail showcases the picturesque and charming wilderness of Cuilcagh Mountain, so much so it has been famously coined the “Stairway to Heaven.” The route takes you through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, with a steep climb required to reach the viewing platform on Cuilcagh Mountain with the reward of truly breath-taking views of the surrounding land.

9. Explore Florence Court

Florence Court is a handsome Georgian home set on a sustainable estate and gardens. Surrounded by a large area of parkland, Florence Court is a perfect day out. You can enjoy glorious walks around the grounds which include a pretty walled garden, holiday cottage, saw-mill and the ice-house. Florence Court is also home to one of the most important trees in Ireland, the Florence Court Yew, said to be the Mother of all Irish Yews, which attracts plenty of visitors each year.

10. Experience the Gobbins Cliff Path

Wrapped around the sea cliffs of County Antrim, the Gobbin's Cliff Path is the only guided adventure walk of its kind in Europe. This impressive path snakes over modern bridges, through mysterious caves and above crashing waves.