• Co Londonderry
• Co Antrim
• Co Down

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Co Londonderry
Between the popular seaside resort of Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lie the magnificent and popular beach and extensive white dunes of Portstewart Strand. Stretching for two miles, the beach is a mecca for bathers but has much to offer all year round. Mobile and stable sand dunes provide shelter and habitat for diverse plant and animal species. The site is home to rare birds, insects and butterflies. Exotic orchids nestle unexpectedly among the oldest dunes and fragrant herb-rich grassland has established itself on the most stable areas behind the beach.

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Co Antrim
Famous for its columns of dark basalt, the Giant's Causeway is a dramatic place for a day out. The bizarre columns of the Causeway have headed the North Antrim coast for 60 million years and have become immortalised in Irish folklore. The headlands and bays along this part of the coast depict a violent volcanic period in the earth's history but today it is a peaceful place where wildlife abounds. As well as the rock structure itself, there are beautiful bays overlooked by headlands from which there are good views of Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Craig and Sheep Island.

First-class walking route across 15 miles of stunning coastal scenery has plenty of places to stop along the way. Wild flowers thrive along the cliff paths and there is always a chance that a peregrine falcon or grey seal will make an appearance. The sea conceals some exciting contents, like the Armada treasure ship 'Girona', wrecked in 1588 at nearby Port-na-Spaniagh.

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Co Down
Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, extending for miles from its rocky mouth to vast sandflats at its northern end. Connected to the Irish Sea through the strong tides and dramatic scenery of the Strangford Narrows, it contains more sheltered waters further inland where it is echoed by the soft hills of the lough-side landscape.

With over 70 small islands ('drumlins') and a wealth of tidal rocky outcrops ('pladdies'), there is always more to see as Strangford changes throughout the year. The variety of scenes brought together around the lough encourage visitors to 'pic 'n' mix' their picnic spots in order to sample the range of conditions and scenery. For the less energetic, a lead can be taken from the common and grey seals often seen resting on rocks and islands.