Northern Ireland's best scenic drives
Travel along the best driving routes in Northern Ireland.
A2 Portrush to Ballycastle
Geoff Hill, Telegraph Travel's Northern Ireland expert, describes the Antrim Coast Road as "one of the world's great drives, rides, walks or cycles". He recommends this western section, taking in Dunluce Castle and the Giant's Causeway, and stopping for an ice-cream at Maud's in Ballycastle.
Ballyrush to Cushendun
This eastern section of the Co Antrim Coast Road takes in the spectacular views over Murlough Bay (head off the main A2 onto Torr Road, before turning onto Murlough Road to the coast). Geoff Hill says that this route is doable by bus, but is "most enjoyable under your own steam".
Newtonabbey to Cushendall
Take the A2 coastal road, stopping at Glenarm Castle and the Londonderry Arms Hotel, which was once owned by Winston Churchill, before heading inland to explore the GlenariffForest, which is considered one of the mosr beautiful patches of green in the county.
This magnificent avenue of beech trees was planted in the 18th-century but has more recently become known as one of the filming locations in the television series Game of Thrones, in which they represent the King's Road.
Belfast Black Taxi Tours
Slightly left of field, and perhaps not scenic in the conventional sense, but Geoff Hill recommends these 90-minute trips round the capital of Northern Ireland for the insight into the city's history they provide, taking in the Catholic Falls Road and Protestant Shankill Road. "The driver, like taxi drivers everywhere, will have his own pithy views on where it all went wrong, and how to put it right." Pick-up can be arranged from any hotel in the city (belfasttours.com)