Start with Haldane Fisher Coleraine on Cloyfin Road and keep it simple: this is a quick anchor stop, roughly 30 minutes, so you can get moving without losing the day to logistics. If you’re driving, the branch is straightforward to reach from the main Coleraine roads, and parking is usually easiest if you arrive earlier rather than later. From there, head into Coleraine Town Centre for a short wander — this is a pleasant, compact town center, good for a coffee and a look around The Diamond and the main shopping streets. If you want a reliable caffeine stop, Ground Coffee House or The Terrace are the kind of easy, no-fuss places locals use for a decent flat white and a pastry before the coast.
For lunch, keep it practical at Riverside Retail Park Café stop in Coleraine: it’s the right kind of efficient midday break for this route, with coffee-and-sandwich style options that should land around £10–15 per person. After that, point the car toward The Giant’s Causeway via the A2 and the Causeway Coastal Route; if you’re coming from Coleraine, the drive is usually about 25–35 minutes depending on traffic and how many photo stops you resist along the way. Go for the main visitor area first, then walk the paved paths out to the columns and coastline — it’s an easy 1.5–2 hours if you keep moving, but give yourself time to just stand and take it in. Admission can vary by visitor facilities, and parking is paid at the site, so factor in a small extra cost.
Leave The Giant’s Causeway with enough daylight to enjoy the coast properly and head to Dunluce Castle on the road back toward Portrush and Bushmills. The cliff-top ruin is best in softer late-afternoon light, and even a short stop gives you that big Atlantic view without much effort; allow about an hour, plus a few minutes for parking and the walk down. From there, finish the day in Portrush with a relaxed promenade stroll and an ice cream stop — it’s the right pace after a sight-heavy afternoon. If you want the classic local option, Morelli’s is the obvious choice for a cone, and the seafront walk is exactly the kind of low-key end that suits the North Coast.
Arrive in Ballymena with enough time to ease into the day, then head straight to Haldane Fisher Ballymena on Douglas Terrace for a quick, efficient first stop. It’s the sort of no-fuss visit that works best early, before the town gets busier, and you should budget around 30 minutes including parking and a quick reset. From there, it’s an easy move into the centre for Ballymena Town Hall on Linenhall Street — a tidy, familiar local landmark that gives you a nice anchor point before you wander. If you want coffee on the way, The Coffee House at Tower Centre is a practical stop, though a quieter option is to just take the short stroll through the streets around Wellington Street and Church Street and keep the pace relaxed.
Leave town behind for The Glenariff Forest Park, which is one of the best “worth the detour” nature stops in this part of Antrim. Expect about 45–60 minutes each way from Ballymena depending on traffic and road conditions, so it makes sense to give yourself a proper 2.5 hours there rather than trying to rush it. The waterfall trail is the classic choice if you want something scenic but manageable; even a shorter loop gives you enough woodland, streams, and valley views to feel like you’ve properly escaped the town. Admission is usually modest or free for parking depending on season and setup, but it’s worth checking on the day, and waterproof shoes are a smart idea because the paths can get slick after rain. On the return, stop back in Ballymena for an easy lunch along Larne Road or around the town centre — The Grouse and The Diamond Bar are the kind of straightforward local places that do the job well, with mains and a drink usually landing in the £12–18 range.
After lunch, head out for The Slemish Mountain viewpoint near Broughshane for a scenic reset before dinner. You don’t need to turn it into a big hike unless you want to; even from the lower approach roads and viewpoint areas, the landscape opens up nicely over the Ballymena countryside and it’s a good one-hour detour that feels rewarding without eating the rest of the day. The drive from Ballymena is short, and if the weather is clear you’ll get the best visibility in the late afternoon light. Wrap the day back in town with dinner at The American Bar & Grill on Broughshane Street — a solid, casual finish where you can eat well without overthinking it. It’s generally an easy book-or-walk-in kind of place, and £18–25 per person is a fair working estimate for a relaxed dinner and drink before turning in.
Arrive in Larne on the A36 with enough cushion to be at Haldane Fisher Larne on Redlands Road first thing, before the day gets fragmented by coastal wandering. This is a practical in-and-out stop: plan about 30 minutes, and if you’re driving, the branch is easiest approached from the town side with simple parking nearby, so you can get in, get sorted, and keep moving without backtracking. From there, drop down to Larne Harbour for a quick look at the working-port edge of town — ferries, cranes, and that proper “north coast gateway” feel — and expect another 30 minutes to soak up the atmosphere and get a few photos without lingering too long.
A short hop brings you to the Cairndhu Golf Club cliff walk area, which is one of the nicer places around Larne for open sea air and an unforced walk. Even if you’re not golfing, this is where the coastline starts doing the work for you: easy views, fresh wind, and a reset after the branch and harbour stops. Budget about an hour here, and if the weather is clear, it’s worth taking your time rather than rushing — this part of the day works best when you let the scenery stretch the schedule a little. If you want a proper lunch break after that, carry on to Carnfunnock Country Park and use the gardens and woodland paths as the soft middle of the day; it’s the best all-round stop between Larne and Ballygally, with enough variety to keep things interesting for about 1.5 hours.
If the sky is behaving and the wind isn’t too wild, continue toward The Gobbins-area coastal drive viewpoint on the Islandmagee side for a photo stop and a dose of dramatic coastline — this is very much a “good conditions” add-on, best kept to around 45 minutes. Afterwards, head back into town for something simple at Gordon’s Café in Larne town centre: think tea, coffee, soup, sandwiches, or a light lunch, usually around £10–16 per person, and it’s the kind of unpretentious place that fits this day well. It’s a good spot to decompress before you move on, and if you’ve still got time, a slow wander around the town centre streets is more useful than squeezing in another fixed stop.
Arrive in Bangor with enough time to settle in, then start at Haldane Fisher Bangor on Bangor Road in Conlig/Newtownards for the quick practical stop. Aim for about 30 minutes here, and if you’re driving, this is the sort of branch that’s easiest handled early before the seafront traffic and school-run movement build up. From there, head straight down to Bangor Marina, where the day can loosen up a bit: grab a coffee, watch the boats, and enjoy the promenade at an unhurried pace. If you want a reliable café near the water, Cafe 53 or The Boat House are both easy, decent options; expect roughly £4–6 for coffee and £8–12 for a light bite.
Continue onto Pickie Funpark and the seafront path for a cheerful coastal stretch without committing to a full hike. The path is flat, breezy, and very local in feel, with families, runners, and dog walkers all using the same easy rhythm. A lap around the waterfront and a wander through the park should take about an hour, and if the weather turns, it’s still a good place to pause and reset. After that, make your way to The National Trust - Bangor Castle Walled Garden; it’s compact enough that you won’t feel rushed, and the planting, paths, and old brick walls make it one of the prettiest low-effort stops in town. The garden is usually open daytime hours, and admission is typically free or donation-based depending on current arrangements, so it’s a nice value stop.
For lunch, settle into Crockfords Café in the town centre for an easy sit-down break. It’s a sensible pause point rather than a destination lunch, with mains and sandwiches typically landing around £12–18 per person, and it works well whether you want something quick or a proper plate. Afterward, save your energy for one final nature stop: Helen’s Bay beach if you want open shoreline and sea air, or Crawfordsburn Country Park if you’d rather mix woodland paths with the coast. Helen’s Bay is the simpler option if you’re short on time, while Crawfordsburn gives you a fuller wander, usually around 1.5 hours if you meander a little. Either way, it’s the right kind of finish for Bangor: relaxed, scenic, and close enough to the road that you can leave without feeling chased.
After you roll into Belfast from Bangor, head straight for Haldane Fisher Ladas Drive Belfast in East Belfast and get that practical first stop out of the way while the day is still quiet. If you’re on the train, the easiest move is to land at Lanyon Place and use a short taxi or bus hop east; if you’re driving, allow a bit of extra time for traffic around the city centre and build in a small buffer for parking. Plan on about 30 minutes at the branch, then continue a few minutes over to CS Lewis Square in Connswater. It’s a compact, easy wander with the bronze Narnia figures and a relaxed local feel, so you don’t need to overthink it — just enjoy the stop and keep moving at an unhurried pace.
From there, spend late morning in the Titanic Quarter. The exterior of Titanic Belfast and the waterfront around SSE Arena and the old slipways are worth lingering over even if you’re not going inside; the views across the river and the scale of the docklands give you the best sense of Belfast’s shipbuilding past. If you do decide to go into Titanic Belfast, tickets are usually around the mid-£20s for adults, and you’ll want a proper 1.5–2 hours inside. If not, the whole area still works well as a scenic walk, especially on a dry day.
After that, head back toward the city centre for the Glass of Thrones murals trail stop. The easiest version is to pick one or two of the big mural locations near the east city centre and City Hall side rather than trying to “collect” them all; that keeps the day fun instead of turning it into a scavenger hunt. A short taxi or bus ride will usually be quicker than walking from the docks, and you only need about 45 minutes to take photos and get the feel of it. Then go to Mourne Seafood Bar in the City Centre for lunch — it’s a dependable local choice, usually busiest around peak lunch, so arriving a little earlier than the rush is wise. Expect roughly £18–28 per person depending on how many plates you share, and book ahead if it’s a weekend.
Finish the day at St George’s Market, which is at its best in the late afternoon when the atmosphere is lively but not too frantic. It’s one of those places where you can browse slowly, pick up a coffee, a sweet treat, or a small bite, and just let the day loosen up a bit after the practical branch stops. Check opening days before you go — it’s not open every day in the same format — and if it’s operating, allow around 1.5 hours so you can wander properly. From here you’re perfectly placed to head back to your hotel or continue into Belfast city centre for dinner, with easy access to taxis, buses, and the rail station.
Start early and keep the first part of the day tightly grouped on the south-west side of Belfast, where the roads are easier and parking is less of a headache before the city fully wakes up. Begin at Haldane Fisher Balmoral Belfast on Boucher Road; it’s the sort of practical stop that works best first thing, with roughly 30 minutes on site. If you’re driving, allow a little extra time for the Boucher Road roundabout crawl at peak hour, and if you need coffee later, this part of town has plenty of quick options without detouring far.
From there, it’s a straightforward hop into the Queen’s Quarter for Belfast Botanic Gardens. Aim for a gentle hour here rather than trying to “do” it all — the pleasure is in the walk from the Palm House past the lawns and tree-lined paths, with the surrounding university streets giving the area a calm, lived-in feel. It’s an easy place to breathe for a bit before heading into something more structured, and you can usually find a bench or a quiet corner even on a decent-weather day.
Next door in spirit, if not literally, is the Ulster Museum, which fits beautifully into this part of the day because it’s close enough to keep the flow relaxed. Give yourself around 90 minutes and don’t rush it: the museum is at its best when you let the exhibits pull you in, especially the art rooms and the natural history galleries. Admission is free, though a donation is appreciated, and it’s one of the easiest-value stops in Belfast. After that, walk a few minutes to Established Coffee for a proper reset — good coffee, a pastry if you fancy one, and a very Belfast mix of students, locals, and museum-goers passing through. Expect about £8–14 per person depending on how hungry you are.
In the afternoon, head north to Crumlin Road Gaol, which gives the day a very different tone and balances the gentler morning nicely. It’s usually best to allow around 90 minutes so you can take in the guided sections and the architecture without feeling rushed; tickets are typically in the mid-teens, and pre-booking is sensible if you’re going on a busy day. Getting there from the Queen’s Quarter is easiest by taxi or bus rather than trying to stitch together a long walk, especially if you’ve already been on your feet all morning. Finish with dinner at The Reporter in the city centre — a smart but unfussy choice for a final meal, with mains usually landing around £18–30. It’s a good place to wind down without overthinking it, and from here you’re well positioned for an easy evening stroll back through the centre or a short ride to wherever you’re staying.
Start with Haldane Fisher Lisburn on Enterprise Crescent and keep it brisk — this is your practical anchor stop, usually about 30 minutes, so you can get the rest of the day moving without fuss. If you’re arriving by train from the Lisburn station area, a short taxi or a quick drive across town is the simplest way in; parking around the industrial estate is generally easier than in the centre, especially before 10am. From there, head into Lisburn city centre for the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, a compact but genuinely useful stop that gives the day some local context in about an hour. It sits neatly by Market Square, so you can combine a little browsing with a coffee if you want — Sage Coffee House or The Square Coffee Shop are the kind of low-key places locals actually use rather than tourist-only stops.
A short wander takes you to Castle Gardens, which is exactly the right kind of reset before the main event: tidy paths, mature trees, and an easy 20–30 minutes to slow the pace. Then continue on to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Hillsborough village, the standout stop of the day. Give yourself around two hours here if you want to do it properly — the gardens are the real draw, and the visitor flow is usually best in late morning before the lunch crowd builds. Tickets are typically in the mid-teens per adult, with garden-only options sometimes cheaper; check opening times before you go, as they vary by season and event day. If you’re driving, the route from Lisburn is straightforward via the A1 and local roads, and the on-site parking is much simpler than trying to leave the car in the village itself.
For lunch, stay in Hillsborough village rather than rushing back to Lisburn. The Plough Inn is the easy default: comfortable, reliable, and good for a sit-down meal in the roughly £15–25 per person range depending on what you order. If you’d rather keep it lighter, one of the village cafés on Main Street is perfectly sensible for soup, sandwiches, or a quick traybake and coffee. The nice thing about Hillsborough is that you don’t need to over-plan it — the whole village works as a lunch break, and you’ll still feel like you’ve had a proper pause rather than a timed stop.
After lunch, ease back toward Lisburn with the Ballynahinch Road scenic drive as your wind-down. Don’t treat it like a destination; it’s a pleasant, unhurried return route that gives you a final look at the countryside without eating into the day. If you have extra energy, you can make a brief café stop back near Lisburn Square or just let the afternoon stay loose. This is one of those days where the rhythm matters more than squeezing in extra sights — the branch, the museum, the castle, and the village lunch already make a full and satisfying loop.
Start in Portadown at Haldane Fisher Castle St Portadown on Castle Street while the town is still calm — it’s the cleanest way to anchor the day, and 30 minutes is plenty if you keep the visit focused. Parking in the centre is usually easiest early on-street or in a nearby public car park, and after that a short wander takes you down toward Bann Bridge for the town-centre river walk. This is a nice reset rather than a big hike: expect about 45 minutes following the river and bridge area, with simple paths, local traffic, and a bit of everyday Portadown life rather than tourist polish.
From the bridge area, make your way to Moneypenny’s Lock on the Newry Canal for the best bit of fresh air in town. It’s a pleasant canal-side stop for around an hour, with enough texture to feel like a proper local detour — towpath, water, lock gates, and the kind of quiet pocket that gives the day some breathing room. If the weather is decent, this is where you can slow down a little; if not, it still works well as a low-effort scenic break. Keep an eye on the clock, though, because the afternoon works best if you don’t linger too long.
Head back toward Haldane Fisher Landscaping Centre Mahon Rd Portadown on Mahon Road to finish the branch pair efficiently before lunch; budget about 30 minutes and treat it as a practical reset before you head out of town. Then grab an easy Yellow Door-style lunch stop in Portadown — think a café lunch around £12–18 per person, with the sort of sandwiches, soups, and traybakes that suit a working day better than a long sit-down meal. In the afternoon, break up the drive south with Brownlow House grounds in Lurgan: give yourself about an hour for a relaxed heritage detour, and if you want the smoother option, aim to park nearby and stroll the grounds rather than overcomplicate it. It’s a good final pause before continuing on toward Newry.
Begin early at Haldane Fisher Newry in Carnbane Industrial Estate and keep this first stop efficient — about 30 minutes is plenty. If you’re driving, the industrial estate is straightforward to reach from the A28 side of town, and this is one of those places where an early arrival saves you from the busier flow around the city centre. From there, it’s a short hop into town for Newry Cathedral, which gives you a proper sense of the city: elegant stonework, a quiet interior, and a nice contrast to the practical branch stop. Give yourself another 30 minutes here, especially if you like a calm wander and a few photos.
A little further on, head to The Quays shopping and riverside area, which is the easiest place to reset without overthinking it. It’s good for a browse, a quick look along the water, and a coffee stop if the weather is decent. For lunch, I’d settle into The Bank Café in the city centre — it’s dependable, relaxed, and usually lands in the £10–16 per person range for a lunch and drink, which makes it an easy, no-drama choice. If you’re parked nearby, keep the car where it is and walk between these central stops; that way you’re not losing time circling the same streets.
After lunch, leave the city behind and head for Silent Valley Reservoir in the Mourne Mountains, which is the real payoff of the day. It’s the kind of place that makes the whole route feel worth it: big water, granite hills, fresh air, and a proper sense of space. Plan on around 2 hours here so you’re not rushing the views or the short walks; if you’re driving, bring change or card for parking depending on the day’s setup, and don’t expect café-style amenities on site, so it’s best to carry water and a snack. The roads out this way are scenic but slower than they look on a map, so keep the afternoon loose and enjoy the drive as part of the day rather than as something to get through.
If you’ve still got daylight and you’re already out toward the south-east side of the county, make one final scenic stop at a Mourne coastal road viewpoint near Kilkeel. This is a nice way to wind down the day: a short pause, sea-and-mountain air, and a last look back over the landscape before you turn inland. Keep it to about 45 minutes, especially if you still want a comfortable onward drive to Enniskillen. From here, the route west is best taken steadily rather than in a hurry — leave with enough time to arrive in Enniskillen before dark, and you’ll finish the day feeling like you’ve had both the practical stops and the best scenery of the south.