I should be so lucky...

From a young age I've always had a growing fascination of travel, going on a big boat or a plane is the skies to discover far off places in the sun. However in recent years I also found a growing fondness for my home country which is quite frankly I feel undervalued. When you think of the most beautiful places to visit in Britain, you might say the Lake District, the Highlands, Cornwall, Yorkshire or the Cotswolds. While it mightn't be attached to the mainland, Ireland too is a place of splendid natural beauty, and while it may be regarded a a hot spot for foreign tourists, I personally feel that sometimes the South receives more hype than the North, but believe me, Northern Ireland holds paths which contain just as much beauty as its sister in the South. Take it from a girl who grew up there, there really are some spectacular spots on this little island, and I love nothing more than going out and exploring them. So below I have posted about a few of my favourites to share with you... Who knows, maybe one day you could visit them too!

Ballintoy, Co.Antrim

 

 

 

 

Ballintoy is a truly magical place at any given time of the year, but proves particulary stunning in the summer months. Ballintoy is a small harbour inlet along the acclaimed 'Causeway Coast', which runs right from the northern most tip of the country, down as far as the bright lights of the country's capital Belfast.

In recent years I have visited Ballintoy many times, and is a particular favourite of my mine. Consisting of a small picturesque harbour, shingled cove, green covered hills and magnificant rock faces, it is a place that holds much beauty and out of tourist season is a very tranquil spot.

In recent times Ballintoy has gained a name for itself, as one of the main filming locations for award winning HBO drama series Game of Thrones.

Downhill, Co.Londonderry

Downhill Forest & Estate is a National Trust owned property, which sits facing the sea from a height, along another stretch of coastline further round in the opposite direction to the previous. It is famed for for its castle ruins and temple, which sits precariously on a cliff edge. between the sandy shore of Castlerock and Benone, situated on either side of the property. Again has been somewhat of a regular haunt and is a glorious space when outside of pay to view visiting hours! One thing I would be careful of is the sheep poo scattered regularly about the grass, this is because their are sheep free to roam ion this property in the warmer months, however provided you're wearing old shoes/wellies I personally feel this adds adventure to the experience. 

Portstewart, Co.Antrim

Portstewart is a coastal town situated along the beginnings of the 'causeway coast' and its claim to fame is it's award winning ice-cream parlour Morellis', situated in a central position along the town's promenade. Sea views, a castle for a school, award winning beaches and a view to the far off temple at Downhill, Portstewart is just a generally nice seaside town to visit.

Portrush, Co. Antrim

Again it is a coastal town ,but one which I just happen to a lot about, as it's where I grew up. Portrush has always been considered the jewel in the crown of the seaside towns, due to its history of providing many a family with happy holidays memories, from the modern age to bygone days. The town boasts all the amenities you could need: two white sand stretches of beach, a clifftop walk, a local fairground as well as the famed favourite Barry's Amusements. There are also many top quality restaurants in which to wine and dine, along with a variety of shops, cafes, family amusements and an indoor bowling alley. Portrush just seems to have that pleasant vibe about it, which is proven by the many visitors and locals alike, that it welcomes back year after year.

So you see, there really is beauty in every part of the country, sometimes it's harder to find than others, some parts more advertised than others, but that doesn't mean that there's not beauty hidden out of sight. And it alerts me to the fact that, despite my desperate desire to spread my wings and travel the world, I really am very lucky to have grown up in a place that boasts so much natural and endurable delight.