Drumtullagh Parish Church

The modest stone church sits quietly on the outskirts of Ballymoney, its weathered walls speaking to centuries of rural worship. Drumtullagh Parish Church is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - a proper working parish church with genuine historical roots rather than a tourist attraction dressed up for the cameras.

Inside, it's straightforward and honest. Whitewashed walls, wooden pews, the sort of calm that comes from generations of people coming here for the same reason. The churchyard itself has some character, with older gravestones tucked among the grass. If you're interested in local genealogy or just want to understand how communities in this part of Northern Ireland have worshipped, it's worth a quick visit.

The real draw here is context. On its own, you'll spend twenty minutes maximum - less if you're not one for graveyards. But if you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Thornfield Farm or North Coast 9 are both close by - and you're exploring the Causeway Coast and Glens, the church slots nicely into a morning of village wandering. Ballymoney itself has decent enough cafes and shops. Combine this with a walk towards the Dark Hedges if you fancy something more atmospheric, and you've got a proper local morning rather than a tourist ticking-off exercise.

Free to visit, obviously. Just be respectful - it's an active parish church, not a museum.