
I'm always getting asked for travel suggestions around Northern Ireland and even though I feel far from being an expert in the area (compared to a true local) I am going to try to do more suggestions and lists of my favorite places around the country. I love old buildings and large estates with their ancient trees and epic gardens so former Manor Houses are a popular day trip for me. If you're local or visiting the United Kingdom for a slightly longer period of time a great to way to see a lot of Manor Houses (or other historic buildings and sites) is to become a National Trust member. They manage more than 20 properties in Northern Ireland, including the very famous Giant's Causeway. If you're also doing a multi-country visit (like England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) it can also be a good investment since the membership is for all of the properties they manage throughout the United Kingdom. I'm not sponsored by them or anything, but I definitely recommend checking them out if you think you will visit more than three or four of their properties because you'll probably save money by becoming members rather than paying an entrance fee at each site. For us, our membership means we can visit the same sites again and again for free. These are a few of my favorite manor houses to visit, but honestly I can probably make another list at the end of the year with a half dozen more because there are so many lovely properties here to explore!











You make Ireland look so incredible. I definitely have to visit these places if I'm ever heading there!
ReplyDeleteCharmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Love this! We like the same things. Manor houses, lovely architecture, gardens and woods. All my favorite things to see! I especially enjoy buildings that have been left to be taken over by nature. :)
ReplyDeleteI second the National Trust membership! I did this when I worked in London for several months. Something to note for Americans visiting (what I did) is to get the "partner" membership with the Royal Oak Foundation. It's essentially a National Trust membership but for Americans. I kept one up for years because I intended to visit frequently and then because I love the NT magazine. Just recently ended it due to my reduced budget but I will likely start it again when I plan another visit!
I've only been to Ireland once and my husband & I definitely decided to book part of our vacation in Northern Ireland. I think a lot of visitors skip N. Ireland but they really shouldn't. In fact, they should take advantage of visiting now before it gets potentially trickier re: Brexit.
ReplyDeleteOne of my absolute favorite National Trust places was the Downhill Demense and Mussenden Temple. When we went there on a weekday morning, it was practically empty with a beautiful light blue sky and the fields covered in tiny daisies and other flowers. The Mussenden Temple hanging out on the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean all the way to Scotland was breathtaking (Google it, everyone!). And the huge crumbling Gothic ruins of Downhill House was incredible; I wanted to crawl up onto a wall and read "Jane Eyre!"
I plan to go back so thank you for these suggestions, Rebecca. I look forward to more of these posts!
Yes Downhill is lovely! I actually have an old post from there too (although I've visited it a few times too to show my family around): http://www.aclotheshorse.co.uk/2014/04/downhill-demesnes.html I hope to do a North Coast rec list one day and that would definitely be one of the stops :)
DeleteSo many beautiful places! I have been to the UK many times (though only to England and Wales), but I haven’t seen many properties like these; I obviously need to go back soon;)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been to the Czech Republic? If not, I highly recommend it! My boyfriend is Czech, so he has taken me on many trips around the country - and there are so many beautiful chateaus and castles, and some cities can best be described as works of art (Kutna Hora, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Telc).
I haven't been to the Czech Republic but I would love to sometime! I'll make a note of your suggestions. :)
DeleteAnd the National Trust has houses like these in England and Wales as well, so if you check out their website it can help you locate some near wherever you end up traveling to next! My husband and I visited a few National Trust houses in England when we were over for something else--it's super handy to have so many properties under one big umbrella so you can find ones close to you easily. :)
Wow these places look amazing, I would love to visit
ReplyDeletexo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
We really are spoilt for choice for beautiful locations in Northern Ireland! I personally love the Antrim Castle Grounds and Glenarm castle!
ReplyDeleteSara - Flemingo
These are so lovely! We have been thinking of spending a weekend away in a place like this. Any recommendations for properties that are also guest houses, where we could spend the night? :)
ReplyDeletexx,
Cátia
♥ The petite Cat ♥
Hi Catia, I probably will do a post on places to stay at a later date, but just briefly what you should look into is the Irish Landmark Trust. The National Trust (which I featured some of in this post) is manor houses open to the public for day visits, they don't accommodate guests. However, another group, the Irish Landmark Trust, turns old manor houses, castles, towers, lighthouses, etc into properties you can stay at. They have properties in NI as well, not just Ireland, and I've stayed at a few and they're lovely. They're self-catering, rather than hotels or b&bs but they're really lovely and historic properties and there's a lot of options in one place for that. Another site to look into could be Ireland's Blue Book; they have a number of manor houses and castles that are hotels.
DeleteBeautiful photos and perfect outfit!
ReplyDeleteDrum Manor looks so charming and enchanting, I am in love with your photography! Ireland looks like a mesmerizing country, it's been on my bucket list for some time now and this has made me even more excited to visit. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and stories xx
ReplyDeleteSending light & love your way,
My Lovelier Days