There has never been a better time to visit Northern Ireland and Embrace a Giant Spirit.
Clayton Hotel Belfast is the perfect base to explore the best that Belfast and Northern Ireland has to offer, from Belfast city attractions to the north coast. Discover new authentic experiences and enjoy exploring Northern Ireland on your next short break.
The Mourne Mountains is a 60-minute drive from Belfast. On the men of the Mournes tour you will have the mountain guide Peter Rafferty who will stretch your imagination and your legs as you follow a rocky path at a gentle pace, stopping for breaks to take in the sights and sounds of this special mountain range.
During your walk, you will learn about the Mourne granite and watch as Peter shows you the tools and the ‘plug and feather’ technique used to cut the stone, discover where it was sent, and hear about the men who built the 22-mile Mourne wall, constructed in 1904 – 1922 to define a catchment area for a local reservoir.
The Hillsborough Castle & Gardens is located just 20 minutes outside Belfast just of the M1. The castle is the Queen’s official Northern Ireland residence, and the site of some of the region’s biggest discussions and decisions; past, present, and future. At Hillsborough, you are experiencing history in the making. Explore the plush and lovingly resorted State Rooms including Throne Room, State Drawing Room, Lady Grey’s Study, State Dining Room, Red Room, and Stair Hall.
The guide will share tales of celebrations, diplomacy, and negotiations that have taken place at the castle over the years. This is a working royal residence that has hosted members of the Royal Family as a ceremonial and personal base since 1922 and the tour gives you an intimate glimpse behind the scenes of a real royal household.
Spend time visiting the stunning gardens which date back to the 1760s. Here you will find ornate formal gardens, tranquil woodland, walled garden, and beautiful meadows.
The Seamus Heaney Homeplace is located 45 minutes from Belfast by road. Here you can discover the world-renowned poet in his beloved hometown.
Journey through the life and works of this literary giant greatly valued locally for his decency and humility, and experience the place, the people and the landscape that so inspired his work.
HMS Caroline is located in the Titanic Quarter about a 15-minute drive from Clayton Belfast.
The First World War battleship is the last surviving ship from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the conflict. Now a floating museum, it invites its visitors to experience the highs and lows of life at sea. Stepping on deck, you are stepping back in time.
National Museum Royal Navy, HMS Caroline, Belfast, County Antrim.
Join this Music Trail in the Dirty Onion bar where you will be met by your guides around a cozy fireplace and embark on your musical voyage. The guides will share songs and stories and perform traditional pieces using an array of instruments.
Have fun while exploring Belfast’s bustling bar’s in some of the city’s oldest buildings and discover the history of trad scene in Belfast and the tales behind some of its best-loved and most treasured compositions.
Your trail will finish at one of the oldest bars in Belfast – McHugh’s on Queens Square.
Discover Belfast culture with your tour guide Caroline who is very passionate about Northern Irish food and about Belfast. Her tours take you down quiet streets and into hidden corners – as Caroline puts it, “off the beaten track of Belfast city” – to meet inventive locals making world-beating products.
These producers, “the passion behind the plates”, have an infectious love for their food and drink and are happy to share it, to talk about it and show you how to taste it. This is a great way to discover the true spirit of the people of this city (a “little key to unlock the real Belfast”) through their love of good food – which, of course, you will be sampling plenty of. There’s no need for breakfast or lunch; you’ll be eating and drinking more than 25 samples of the best local food and drink along the way.
And whether you’re sweet-toothed or savor the savory, this tour has you covered.
