Great escapes:
Northern Ireland 2 |
| The Kids' Coast |
| If the kids are getting bored with the quiet beaches, don't worry as
there are plenty of attractions especially for them all along the coast |
Special family days out are always a popular idea with the kids, and the Causeway Coast area has plenty to offer. This makes it possible to plan a day within a single radius that will provide a wide range of pursuits to give the young, and even the not so young, a day to remember.
Sunshine was necessary for some of the activities we had in mind, and, would you believe it, our wish was granted although there was still plenty to enjoy indoors, from amusement arcades to themed swimming pools and ten-pin bowling.
1. Benone Tourist Complex
Starting at the Safeway car park in Coleraine, zero the car's trip meter, exit the car park and turn right onto the A29. Continue to Lodge Road Roundabout. Here, take the middle lane and follow signs for Castlerock. Still on the A29, cross over the bridge to the second roundabout, at 0.8 miles. Continue to the next roundabout, at 1.3 miles and here take the second exit to join the B201. Stay on the B201 to the junction with the A2/A20 at 2.9 miles, signed Castlerock. Turn left and continue along the A2/A20 to the local road on the right at 9.9 miles, signed Benone Strand. Follow signs
to Benone Tourist Complex car park at 10.3 miles.
This award-winning complex on the A2 western stretch of the Causeway Coast justly claims to be an "ideal holiday centre for all the family". Sports activities here include a par-three golf course, a putting green, four tennis courts, a bowling green and badminton, while for young children an
adventure play area and two outdoor heated splashpools are among the many attractions.
Then there is Benone's duneland park, whose rich natural habitat you can explore with the help of brochures and guides. Adjacent is the beach, which is one of the longest in Europe and a multiple recipient of the Blue Flag award for the standard of its water and sands. It is also an exceptional location for shell collecting, with up to 100 species to be found (an especially good time to collect is just after a storm).
2. Portstewart means mega fun
Zero the trip meter, exit the car park and, on the local road, advance to the junction with the A2/A20 (0.4miles). Turn left onto the A2/A20 and continue to Coleraine. Here cross the river bridge and turn left at 8.7 miles into Circular Road, and still on A2 follow signs for Portstewart. On entering Portstewart at 13 miles, turn left into the car park adjacent to the town hall and the library.
While Portstewart never fails to appeal to the older generation, this resort has by no means overlooked its younger guests. The Crescent is the place where children can have mega fun. Tucked away at the northern end of the promenade, it is a hive of activity. There are small boating lakes with motorised bumper boats, splash pools, bridges, climbing frames, slides and see-saws. While overseeing the youngsters, parents can enjoy the facilities available at the excellent Beach Club with its outside tables, hot and cold food, coffee, ice cream, and more. There is also a bandstand area at The Crescent with tiered seating which provides an ideal setting for children's theatre, concerts and other, varied entertainment.
3. Big attractions at Portrush
Zero the trip meter, leave the car park and turn left onto the A2 following the coastline, signed Portrush. At three miles turn left and drive to the junction with the A29 (3.3 miles), towards the town centre. Turn left, then right into Crocknamack Rd. Continue to the small roundabout (3.5 miles). Turn left into the car park at Dunluce Centre (3.6 miles).
Portrush is packed full with venues devoted to family fun. What makes it even better is the fact that they are all located around the town centre and within easy walking distance of each other.
We visited a small selection while aware that many more vied for our attention.
Top of the list of attractions in Portrush is Barry's Amusement Park. It is the largest of its type in Ireland and a magnet for the young, who go wild on all the latest rides, both indoor and out.
To cool off, we headed in the direction of the harbour (a mere five-minute walk) to find Waterworld. One of Northern Ireland's most popular visitor attractions, it offers a unique indoor experience. The Pirates Cave fun pool has a range of thrilling features including twin 85m water-slides, jacuzzis, a water playground and power-blasting water cannons. Adults can relax in the health suite where a steam room and sauna are for use at no extra charge. A brand new feature at Waterworld is a six-lane ten-pin bowling centre which combines simplicity with state-of-the-art technology.
The sun continued to shine when we visited Portrush, so we took the opportunity to visit Ramore Head, the resort's famous headland, which commands extensive seascapes. Here we also found top-class tennis courts, bowling greens and putting areas, though what we had really come to find was the Children's Adventure Play Park adjacent to the tennis courts. Here dozens of young kids were running riot on inflatable bouncers and an assortment of swings, slides and roundabouts. The grounds include a fully equipped pavilion, changing rooms and a caf#233;.
There was one more attraction to fit into our day and that was the Dunluce Centre, beside the car park. Legends, Turbo Tours and Earthquest were among the exciting events to be found here: choose from a 23rd-century meteor attack in which you have to save the Earth, or an interactive adventure which portrays the local wildlife in both its town and country environments.
By Easter 2002 Dunluce Centre expects to have added several new attractions such as the Finn McCools Adventure playground, a 24-zone, four-floor interactive play environment and, apparently, the first attraction of its kind anywhere in the world.
Another new feature is the Dunluce Treasure Fortress, which challenges youngsters to find the secret labyrinth of Dunluce Castle and pit their wits against its magic to free the hidden Princess and her treasure. And if that still doesn't sound like it's enough to keep your children distracted, there'll be plenty of other activities to keep them enthralled for hours and tire them out for the return journey. |
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Bellemont Caravan Park
10 Islandtasserty Rd, Coleraine, Co.Londonderry BT52 2PN.
Tel 028 7082 3872
Everything is gleaming at this family-run park located close to Coleraine and Portstewart.
Here you'll find white concrete roadways, perfectly kept grass areas and clearly-defined, fully-serviced hardstanding pitches. These are evenly spread around what is best described as a 'manicured' parkland setting.
The ground is gently undulating in parts and rises to offer a view over Portstewart and towards the sea: the pitches in this area form a most attractive corner of the park.
The sanitary facilities are housed in a central block which is carefully monitored and kept spotlessly clean. Alongside, in the same building, is the reception whose forecourt is decorated with flower tubs. For children there is a play area on raised ground with slides, swings and a safety surface.
Open Easter 30 September
Charges Outfit + all persons £10.50; electric hook-up £1.50; awning £1.50
OS ref 284437
NITB **** |
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