Staycation :)

noops_2

Hi - I've resigned myself to the fact that there will be no summer hols abroad this year for me and my husband. We're planning to take a week off work during the summer anyway and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for days out on the cheap?

We're based in Belfast but have a car, we also have a wee dog so things that we can take him along some of the days to would be ideal. He can only walk for about an hour though

Thanks! :T

steveymp

Had one of these last year as I couldn't afford our usual flying away holiday:( Flights for 4 of us in July/August where an unbelievable price, and it looks like they will be the same this year too:(

Anyway, thankfully my sister offered us use of her caravan on The North Antrim Coast for a week, and I have to say it was the best, cheapest and most relaxing holiday I've had in years:T

Amazing to believe I only live 30 miles from the NA Coast and never knew it had so much to offer, we particularly enjoyed Portstewart, especially the free play park and water fountains, the kids had a ball for hours on end and the coastal path walks around the town and past the convent are lovely.

One slight word of warning about the area is that it was very busy, even on weekdays, a lot of people seemed to holiday at home last year and I can only see it getting worse this year.

Jump in the car and take the road from Carrick to Portstewart along the coast, just avoid Ballycastle:eek: its years since I had been, but boy has it got very run down:(

noops_2

That sounds great, we'll definitely have to get a trip up. It's not even that far for us to go for a couple of day trips... I have to say my local knowledge is embarrassing! Maybe it's no bad think that I'll be spending more time investigating what Norn Iron has to offer... and perhaps there'll be a sunny day

caz2703

For a lovely day out in the good weather then you can't go far wrong with Crawfordsburn Country Park. Lots of space to lay down your rug and have a picnic and glorious views across the lough.

Word of warning though, if it's a weekend you'll have to fight with the riff raff to get anywhere near the place!

Will1983

I would also reccommend the Antrim coast, fab views, especially up by Torr Head.
Check out the National trust website, they have loads of events on at their houses, I attended one last year at Mount Stewart and it was fab, dogs welcome!
Down round the Mournes and Newcastle is lovely too, walks in Tullymore or Castlewellen Park and fanatastic places to eat.
hope you get sorted!

absoluteutopia

If you can afford to wait to the last minute theres some good deals around online, My Aunt and uncle last summer had 2 weeks in Portugal for £149. Only trouble was they had to fly out next day, handy enough if youre happy to go anywhere and can do so at short notice

nozzadamozza

We are staycating too this year!

So far we have decided on Belfast Zoo and Mookieworld in Dundonald as entertainment hotspots- with Helens Bay for all our beach needs lol

noops_2

nozzadamozza wrote: »

We are staycating too this year!

So far we have decided on Belfast Zoo and Mookieworld in Dundonald as entertainment hotspots- with Helens Bay for all our beach needs lol

I love the Zoo! I'll definitely be putting the pedometer on that day :rotfl:

mypie

We are going to do the same this year too but have decided that we will book a summer 2012 holiday in June 2011 to keep us sane too.

I have been making a list of places to go to,

We still haven't been to the Ulster Museum so are going to make day off that and take a picnic.

Crawsfordburn Country park.

Downhill & Musendun Temple.

Slieve Donard (views are amazing)

Silent Valley.

Fingers crossed the weather holds out for us.

steveymp

mypie wrote: »

We are going to do the same this year too but have decided that we will book a summer 2012 holiday in June 2011 to keep us sane too.

I have been making a list of places to go to,

Downhill & Musendun Temple.

If you are going there, drive further past the temple and castle entrance to the gardens, next turn after that on the left, they are stunning when in bloom and well worth a wander through, the path then leads to the temple:)