Wild winter tours await at clifftop gem The Gobbins

Crashing waves and thundering swell await intrepid clifftop explorers as one of Northern Ireland’s most exhilarating tourist attractions gets ready to welcome visitors to its first Winter Tours series.

The Gobbins, the award-winning natural wonder on Islandmagee, is a spectacular coastal walk situated along the Causeway Coastal Route, and was voted the number one region in the world to visit by Lonely Planet.

The must-see attraction, which earlier this year scooped the prestigious AECOM Award for Excellence in infrastructure, hosted nearly 30,000 visitors from countries including Australia, New Zealand, China and India during 2018.

Carved into two miles of basalt cliff-face and home to some of the most endangered species of birdlife, the first ever Gobbins Winter Tours are now underway following a period of routine maintenance.

Online bookings for the wild and wintry experience, which will see you navigate a suspension bridge, tunnels and pathways in an up-close and personal experience of the wonders this stunning section of coastline has to offer, can be made seven days a week up until the end of December.

Get ready to be enchanted by tales of smugglers, young lovers and even witches, as the 2.5 hour guided tour brings you on a journey to discover the area’s history and taste the bracing sea air on your lips.

Alister Bell, Operations and Development Manager of The Gobbins, said: “This walk continues to wow visitors from home and abroad with its winding route along basalt steps, over the iconic tubular bridge, and even under the sea in places. Its towering viewing platform offers panoramic views of the area’s spectacular coastline.

“The unique appeal of The Gobbins is the exposure to nature and the elements in all their glory. The path was originally carved out of the cliff by the Victorians more than a century ago and visitors are walking in their footsteps as they make their way along the path just feet away from crashing waves. It is a spectacular place to be.”

Mayor, Cllr Maureen Morrow, added: “The ongoing success of The Gobbins and the borough's other key tourism sites has an invaluable knock-on effect for the local economy, boosting investment and creating jobs.

“With tourism spend approaching the £1billion milestone in Northern Ireland, Mid and East Antrim is ideally positioned to capitalise on the region’s blossoming tourism industry.

“This borough has huge tourism potential and Council continues to work in partnership with local communities and the tourism industry through the tourism clusters, ensuring that we all have the skills and support required to grow and maximise our tourism offering in the borough and across Northern Ireland.”

For more information and to book tickets go to www.thegobbinscliffpath.com