Better than Bora Bora!
The Antrim Coast Road that is, according to a survey by Jacob’s Creek [usual scepticism should be applied - Ed]. The BBC report says that 5000 people voted the Antrim Coast Road the 5th best view, out of 50 views, from around the world. Although there is also mention of the British Guild of Travel Writers in the accompanying text to this competition.. ANYhoo.. It is a great view. The full range of 50 views is here
The BBC helpfully compile the top 10 views from which to enjoy a glass of wine from the full list
1. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House;
2. Mauritius – Watching the sunset from a hot tub;
3. Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown in New Zealand;
4. Victoria Falls, Zambia;
5. Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland;
6. Bora Bora, French Polynesia;
7. Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA;
8. The ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru;
9. Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe, Scotland;
10. Angel Falls, Venezuela.
And from the Jacob’s Creek survey site
Location: Ireland, the Antrim Coast Road.
Rank: 5Description: Ancient castles, soaring cliffs, rolling green landscapes and endlessly-changing light on the restless waters, where the surging North Atlantic swirls into the narrow gap of the Irish Sea.
It’s an amazing part of the country. I was lucky enough to go to St. MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower for a few years, a fantastic castle built on the mountains over Carnlough.
It was an hour there and an hour back everyday from Ballymena, but it was worth the journey.
An outstandingly good photograph. I agree with nmc, there is something about the quality of light in the north east corner of Antrim that helps to make the scenery simply stunning
I always get a great view from the Antrim Coast Road, not least because I ALWAYS seem to get stuck behind “Derek and Mabel” who are out for a lovely 2mph drive in their Rover to sit on the prom at Carnlough, only leaving the comfort of their motor to buy a 99, then watch the grey waves roll in.
I can’t wait to be a pensioner!
Isn’t Dunluce castle supposed to be “Cair Paravel”.
BTW is it the Church at Portballintoy ?
Any chance you boys could come to an agreement on how to open a blog post in the same browser window i.e. it’s annoying that some are opening in the same window while others (like this one) opens in a new browser.
I’ve driven that route five or six times and yup, it’s right purdy whenever the sun is out.
It doesn’t hold a candle, however, to walking the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point in Yosemite.
In all fairness, the Brits come from a rainy land and are not conditioned to or expect granite, basalt or sandstone spectacles which are best seen during the magic hours that bring out the reds and the texture of the landscape. The deserts of the Central Basin are probably seen as too alien, like the Burren.
Then there’s always Monument Valley. One of the most remarkable sights of my life was watching the Mittens emerge from a line squall that was clearing away a zero-visibility dust storm. The rainbow was cool too.
I have to say that I’ve travelled this road a few times and find it breathtaking – though I’m not a Briton.
I do wonder however it’s appropriate to bill it as a view, as JC have done, with which one could enjoy a glass of wine as, no doubt, that it’s mostly enjoyed while driving.
One of the best things about it is that it’s the road FROM Larne and the contrast couldn’t be more stark between a beautiful and one of the most narrowminded insular little holes in Christendom.
Ou est Portballintoy?
Bee-yoo-tiful. I agree with the previous poster, it’s the lighting that makes it special.
From what I’ve seen, around the world, only maybe Norway or New Zealand can compare, but that’s just IMHO.
Cheers,
Nic.
“One of the best things about it is that it’s the road FROM Larne and the contrast couldn’t be more stark between a beautiful and one of the most narrowminded insular little holes in Christendom.”
care to expand upon this with a made up anecdote??
Does the Antrim Coast Road stretch as far as Ballintoy? I thought it was from round about Ballycastle to round about Larne.