Fair Head Car Park

The car park sits at the foot of Fair Head, one of the most dramatic cliffs on the Causeway Coast. You're looking at proper sheer drops here - the kind that make you grip the steering wheel a bit tighter as you wind up the narrow road from Ballycastle. Once parked, the views across to Rathlin Island and Scotland are genuinely stunning, especially on a clear day when you can pick out the Scottish coast proper.

This is where serious walkers start their hikes along the cliff edge. The paths are rough but manageable, and you get that rare combination of being properly elevated without needing mountaineering skills. On a windy day it's bracing; on a calm one, it's contemplative. Most people allow an hour or two depending on how far along the cliff they fancy venturing.

Families with young kids might find the parking area itself adequate for photographs and a quick leg stretch, but the actual walks demand decent boots and a head for heights. The real appeal here is for those who want the Causeway Coast experience without the crowds of Giant's Causeway - you'll have far more solitude.

If you're based at Watertop Farm just down the road, Fair Head makes an excellent morning or late afternoon outing. Free to visit, naturally, and there's no mucking about with opening hours since it's outdoor parking. The light changes dramatically through the day, so timing matters if photography is your thing.