The Gobbins Viewpoint

The walk down to The Gobbins is proper coastal drama. You're cliffside above the Irish Sea, and the path threads along the rock face with the water churning below - it's not a gentle stroll, more of an adventure. The viewpoint itself sits on these jagged basalt columns that jut out into the water like nature's own fortress, and on a clear day you can see right across to Scotland.

This is absolutely a walker's spot, and not one for the faint-hearted if you've got a fear of heights. The clifftop path can be a bit windswept and requires decent footwear. Allow a good couple of hours if you want to do the full experience without rushing. Families with older kids will manage fine, but it's not ideal for pushchairs or very young children who might wander near the edges.

The nearest proper town is Larne, which is about fifteen minutes' drive away. If you're wild camping at Down to Earth just down the coast, this is an excellent morning or late-afternoon expedition - the light's properly golden towards evening, and there's usually fewer people about. It's free to access, which is brilliant, and you can park near the trailhead without any fuss.

Worth the visit? Absolutely. It's dramatic, the views are proper stunning, and it doesn't feel overrun with tourists the way some coastal spots do. Bring layers though - it's windy up there even when it looks calm from below.