Designed to look like a Cornish village, this quaint seaside resort boasts rows of whitewashed cottages and a 3.4-mile beach – but is actually 581 miles from the UK’s tourist-riddled south coast
A quaint seaside resort ‘steeped in character’ looks like something straight out of a story book, but has incredibly managed to dodge the tourist limelight. Built in 1912, and designed to look exactly like a charming Cornish village, this tiny parish features rows of whitewashed cottages and a 3.4-mile stretch of sugar-like sands – all of which is surrounded by seemingly endless countryside.
But this coastal gem is almost 600 miles from England’s insufferably busy south coast, and is actually situated on the idyllic Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. Nestled at the mouth of the River Dun, and part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lies the criminally underrated village of Cushendun.
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Here, you won’t find your typical rows of flashing arcades, swathes of fish and chip shops, or dominating Costa Coffee shops. Instead, you’ll be greeted by an often-empty beach, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, and a fascinating history.
With 30 miles of lush landscape at your doorstep, Cushendun is the perfect place for those wanting to escape the bustling city and get back into nature. Check out the Glens Great Grassland Trail, which winds through stunning meadowland, beaches, and through the heart of the village.
For history lovers, checking out the sandstone church, which has been around since 1840, is a must. Today, it operates as a community-run arts and heritage centre which puts on a variety of performances and events throughout the year. Outside in the churchyard, you’ll be able to see Ronald John McNeill’s grave. This man, otherwise known as Baron Cushendun, actually built the village for his wife, Maud.
Cushendun is also one of the best places in Northern Ireland to spot rare red squirrels – making it a haven for nature lovers. “While we can’t guarantee a sighting, you’re most likely to encounter them early in the morning or late afternoon, in the forest beside Glenmona House, where the Glens Red Squirrel Group has built an activity playground,” explains the National Trust.
And lastly, if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, you need to head to the beach and find the Red Caves – which were used as a film location for the cult-series. On TripAdvisor, Cushendun’s beach has received a plethora of raving reviews – with many highlighting the lack of crowds compared to some of the nearby coastal towns.
“I accidentally visited this beach when I took the scenic route on [my travels],” one person wrote. “It’s a hidden gem: a small and really beautiful beach.”
Another agreed, commenting: “Gorgeous little beach with a car park and toilets nearby. Cushendun isn’t as ‘touristy’ as some of the bigger towns and has a lovely atmosphere,” while a third added: “Fabulous little beach that’s never too busy with nice, calm waters. My family loves it and the corner cafe is a beautiful little place with lovely, friendly staff.”
If you’re tempted to spend a weekend in Cushendun, you’ll first need to get to Belfast. Luckily, a slew of major UK airports offer direct flights – which take on average just 45 minutes – to the city, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London Stansted. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £28 in August.
Once you’ve touched down in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to drive almost 40 miles over to Cushendun, which takes around one hour. If you’re taking public transport, this route takes an extra one hour and 27 minutes.
Staying in Cushendun itself will be pretty challenging, due to its small size and lack of tourism. However, you can stay nearby in areas like Knocknacarry, without breaking the bank. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, August 8-10) at Mullarts Church will set you back £280. This is based on two people sharing a one-bedroom apartment.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
What’s your favourite UK seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below