Caves of Cushendun

The caves at Cushendun are the real deal - proper sea caves carved into the red sandstone cliffs, and they've been there long enough to feature in everything from medieval manuscripts to Game of Thrones. You can walk right in at low tide, which is when you'll actually get the most out of a visit. The caves aren't huge or sprawling, but there's something genuinely atmospheric about standing inside while the waves crash outside, and the russet-coloured rock faces are striking enough to make the trip worthwhile.

It's a decent spot for families with older kids who won't mind a bit of scrambling over rocks and seaweed. Younger children might find thirty minutes quite enough, though keen photographers will want longer to catch the light properly. The walk down from the village takes ten minutes or so, and you'll want to check tide times before heading out - high tide cuts you off completely, which isn't the end of the world but does limit what you can explore.

Ballycastle is the nearest town if you need supplies, and it's only a few miles away. Watertop Farm holiday park sits about five miles south if you're basing yourself nearby. The caves work well as a morning excursion alongside the rest of the Causeway Coast's walks and geological drama, rather than a day in themselves. Bring proper shoes with grip, and don't go alone.