Rugged beaches, epic windswept mountains and dense mysterious forests. Northern Ireland boasts some of the best scenery in the UK. It’s no wonder it’s been used as a filming location for shows like Game of Thrones.
The good thing about the country is that the best scenery in Northern Ireland is all just a stone’s throw away from each other. This means you can pack a lot into a short trip away. If you use one of our holiday homes as your base of operations you can explore Northern Ireland to your heart’s content.
Lovers of nature, epic scenery and generally outdoorsy types will love Northern Ireland. Whether you’re a naturalist, photographer or walker the vista and visuals you get walking around this wild untamed land will stay with you for a long time.
Northern Ireland scenery is amazing at any time of year but we think the best time to visit the country is in the autumn. Why? We’ll explain all in this article and share with you some amazing locations to visit in Northern Ireland.
Looking to rent or purchase a holiday home in Northern Ireland? We have many homes for sale or rental at our parks on the Ards Peninsula. You can check our Ballyhalbert, Cloughey, Windsor and Seahaven homes using these links.
Why autumnal weather makes Northern Ireland scenery extra beautiful
Autumn weather and Irish scenery go hand in hand. Everywhere looks beautiful when it’s sunny in summer but the rugged untamed wilderness of Northern Ireland is complemented perfectly by the blustery weather of autumn.
The windier, cooler weather adds atmosphere to the stark scenery and the changing leaves and array of autumnal colours give a real sense of grandeur and excitement to an Irish scene. Yes it might be a little colder and it could rain but the brooding, stark, exhilarating weather really adds to the scene and will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
This is why we think, if you want to see the best scenery in Northern Ireland, you should go in Autumn.
4 stunning locations to visit in Northern Ireland this autumn
Northern Ireland is a beautiful place, it has coastlines, mountains, moorlands and forests for keen walkers to enjoy. It’s not an exaggeration to say it boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK and visiting in autumn is, in our opinion, one of the best times to visit if you enjoy rugged, wild scenery. Below we’ve listed our 4 top locations in Northern Ireland to visit and experience in the autumnal months.
The Giant’s Causeway
No list of stunning scenery to visit in Northern Ireland would be complete without a mention of The Giant’s Causeway. This prehistoric natural phenomenon was designated a Unesco world heritage site 1986 and it attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The causeways itself is made up of around 4000 interlocking hexagonal pillars and legend has it that it was built by an Irish giant looking to cross the North Sea to Scotland. In actuality the rock formation is the result of volcanic activity but when you look at it you won’t be able to believe it isn’t man made.
The causeway is right on the coast and when the sea is choppy and the weather a bit windy it can create an amazing scene. The raw power of nature crashing against the cliffs and shore is a sight to behold.
Carrick-a-rede
Carrick-a-rede isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a rope bridge that connects the mainland to a small rocky outcrop in the Irish Sea. The small rocky island stands definitely against the winds of the Irish Sea and its wind swept faces are beautiful yet rugged. In blustery autumn weather a trip to Carrick-a-rede is an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience but one that offers amazing Northern Ireland scenery for those brave enough to make the bridge crossing.
Both the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-rede are just a short hour and a half drive from our holiday park locations on Ards Peninsula. The distance between the 3 attractions is just 7-miles if you walk and 8 by car. A perfect day trip out if you’d like to explore the wonders of this amazing stretch of Irish coast.
The Dark Hedges
From coastlines to forest roads the Dark Hedges are truly a sight to behold. Used as a location in the popular TV show Game of Thrones the attraction consists of two rows of ancient trees flanking a road in Ballymoney. The trees are so ancient they’ve bent over the road and intertwined to make a thick canopy and tree tunnel to walk under.
The hedges can be inviting or foreboding depending on the weather and time of day but no matter when you visit them they’ll always take your breath away with their sheer beauty.
Visiting in an autumnal rainstorm gives the hedges a spooky haunted forest vibe and you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere.
The Mourne Mountains
For the last location on this list we’re going into the mountains. The Mourne Mountains are the highest mountain range in Northern Ireland. Located in County Downs they tower over the country and provide amazing views all year round. They’re designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and have walking trails for all experience levels. For those looking for a longer walk The Mourne Wall challenge is a 31km walk that snakes through the Mourne Mountains.
These atmospheric hills were also used extensively as locations in Game of Thrones and were the inspiration for CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. It goes without saying then that they contain some of the most beautiful scenery Northern Ireland has to offer.
Are you ready to take in some amazing Northern Ireland scenery?
Has Northern Ireland been on your bucket list for a while? If so, there’s no better time to visit than now. You can take in the amazing sights, history and scenery all whilst enjoying a luxury stay in one of our static homes. We have static caravans to rent or buy so whether you’re looking for a home away from home or just a change of scenery for a week or two we’ve got you covered. If you’d like more details you can contact us here.
