The Giants Causeway, a world heritage site, is a beautiful place whether you are a tourist, a local or have an interest in geology.

The causeway is estimated to have been formed 60 - 65 million years ago when there was a lot of volcanic activity in the area, in fact it extends to the Scottish Isle of Staffa northeast from the North Antrim Coast. As the lava cooled, most likely in contact with water, it contracted forming cracks and creating the ‘honeycomb’ like basalt columns we see today. The columns are generally hexagonal, though the sides range from 5 – 8.

There is a minibus that runs up and down to the middle causeway (the one you usually see in pictures), and I think they do allow individual cars to drive down if you are a disabled person wanting access.

Your perception of it will depend on your interests of course. There are supposed to be some interesting plants in the area and some excellent bird watching along the cliffs.

If you enjoy walking you can follow the paths either way from the causeway. If you head west towards Portballintrae you come to Runkerry Beach - a great beach if you have kids with you and you've 'done' the causeway.

Head along the causeway path east for Whitepark Bay, Ballintoy and on to Ballycastle. On the way you will pass Port na Spaniagh where the Spanish Armada Galleon, the Girona, was wrecked in 1588 - you can see some of the items recovered from the wreck in the Ulster Museum in Belfast. If you do head east, after a while you come to 'the shepherds steps' where you can choose head back a different way along the cliff top path to the car park.

Of course, if you get there on a wet day and think you might melt if you venture out for a walk, there's always the visitors centre. It had a souvenir shop and some audio visual / interactive displays – the usual tourist attraction things.

As Belfastgirl’ mentioned, it
was closed due to fire damage and I think the causeway itself is closed due to foot and mouth at present - hopefully it will be even better now that it's undergoing a forced refurbishment.

To me the causeway is the sort of place that can be visited in any weather! There’s always something you haven’t noticed from the previous visit. Personally I love the causeway in the winter or on a really windy day – it looks at its best with massive waves breaking over it – absolutely spectacular!

Enjoy!

Situated on the north Antrim coast. Head out of Bushmills on the A2 towards Ballycastle and a few miles along the road it is signposted on the left.