Cushendun Caves

The caves at Cushendun are proper dramatic - sheer red sandstone cliffs dropping straight into a pebble beach, with several dark mouths gaping out from the rock face. You can walk right into them at low tide, which is when they're actually worth visiting. The largest one goes back a fair way, though not so far that you'll need a torch or lose your nerve.

It's the kind of place that appeals to families with kids old enough not to need constant supervision. Young children might find the walk along the beach tedious, but anything from age seven upwards will get a kick out of exploring inside. The caves themselves take maybe twenty minutes to have a proper look around, which is why you'll want to combine it with other Causeway Coast stops - Ballycastle town centre is only a ten-minute drive away if you need lunch or supplies.

Come at low tide or you'll be frustrated. The tourist board doesn't specify exact times, so check before you go. Admission appears to be free, though parking near the village is tight in summer. If you're based at Watertop Farm just five miles south, these caves make a decent half-day excursion paired with a coastal walk. The setting's genuinely impressive - those red cliffs feel almost Mediterranean on a sunny day - but don't expect a two-hour experience. An hour, maybe ninety minutes tops, and you've seen it all.