Royal Portrush Golf Club

The golf course at Royal Portrush sits right on the edge of the North Antrim coastline, and even if you're not a golfer, the setting alone is worth understanding. Two championship links courses - Dunluce and Valley - occupy some genuinely dramatic terrain overlooking the Atlantic, with fairways that tumble toward cliffs and greens that demand respect from the wind.

If you play, this is the serious stuff. Links golf at its most unforgiving, with rough that'll swallow your ball whole and bunkers placed by someone with a mean streak. The 2019 Open Championship was held here - only the second time outside Scotland or England - which tells you everything about the pedigree. The views across the coast toward Dunluce Castle are proper stunning, and that's before you worry about your scorecard.

Non-golfers can visit the clubhouse and soak up the atmosphere, though access to the courses themselves is restricted. Bushmills is just down the road, making it an easy pairing with a distillery visit, and Causeway Country Pods sits within a few miles if you're basing yourself locally. Allow a morning or afternoon here - several hours if you're a golf enthusiast, less if you're just curious about the setting.

Expect to pay green fees if you're playing; visitors are welcome but need to arrange this in advance. The coastal walk around the property is free and gives you the flavour of why this place matters to the golfing world.