Kinbane Castle

The ruins cling to a headland just west of Ballymoney like they're determined not to fall into the sea. Kinbane Castle sits on a dramatic rocky outcrop above the water, and you reach it via a rather steep stone staircase carved into the cliff - genuinely thrilling if you've got a head for heights, properly dizzying if you haven't.

Once up there, you're standing in the remains of a 16th-century castle built by the MacDonnells to keep tabs on their Scottish connections across the water. It's not vast - maybe fifteen minutes poking around the ruins - but the views across the Causeway Coast make it worth the climb. On a clear day you can see right across to Islay.

The castle itself is roofless now, just crumbling walls and a sense of how strategic this location was. History types will appreciate its role in the Irish-Scottish politics of the era; everyone else will appreciate not having to queue. Families with young kids might find the stairs a bit much, but teenagers usually find the drama of the place worth the effort.

It's free to wander, and there's no visitor infrastructure, so bring water. The walk takes twenty minutes from the small car park. If you're staying at North Coast 9 Glamping down the road, this makes a solid morning outing before heading to the Giant's Causeway or exploring the cliffs further along.