An Exclusive Tour of Northern Ireland’s Finest Houses

An Exclusive Tour of Northern Ireland’s Finest Houses

heart_plus
tourhub | Just Go Holidays | An Exclusive Tour of Northern Ireland’s Finest Houses | 9031
78 Views
2 Days From

$1819

An Exclusive Tour of Northern Ireland’s Finest Houses

2 Days

Visiting: Northern Ireland, Ireland

Tour operator:

Just Go Holidays

Tour code:

9031

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

From:
$1819

NB: Prices correct on 10-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Perhaps most famous for its wildly rugged countryside and breathtakingly beautiful coastline, Northern Ireland is also peppered with stunning houses and impressive estates just waiting to be explored. We learn more about the country’s rich heritage as we visit intriguing places on this unique tour, featuring an exclusive guided tour with the owners of Ballywalter Park; offering an intimate insight into the generations who have lived in this architectural treasure. We also admire the much-loved family home and world-famous gardens of Mount Stewart House plus the exquisite Glenarm Castle, combining these fascinating discoveries with the mystical Giant’s Causeway.

Itinerary

Sunday: Arrival
We fly to Belfast and transfer to La Mon Hotel & Country Club. Later, we enjoy a welcome drinks reception hosted by our tour manager.

Monday: Benvarden Garden & Lissanoure Castle
Our first visit is to Benvarden Garden, part of the historic Benvarden estate established in the late 17th century and owned by the Montgomery family since 1798. The grounds extend down to the banks of the River Bush and include a lovely walled garden with fruit trees, herbaceous borders, roses, a box parterre and kitchen garden. The woodland pond is planted with azaleas and camellias and down by the river stands a fine, Victorian iron bridge built by Robert James Montgomery in 1878.

From here we make our way to Lissanoure Castle, set at the foot of the Glens of Antrim, surrounded by lakes, parkland and woods, where we enjoy a guided tour. Built in 1770 by George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney (the first British Ambassador to China), Lissanoure is situated on the site of an earlier castle built in the 14th century. The main part of the castle was destroyed by a massive explosion in 1847 but the courtyard remains with an impressive Tudor revival archway and clocktower entrance. The estate is now privately owned by Peter and Emily Mackie.

Tuesday: Belfast & Titanic Belfast
We enjoy a guided city tour of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s vibrant capital. Belfast is now a thriving, modern city with a fascinating and sometimes turbulent history. It was also a key player in the Industrial Revolution, being the centre for the Irish linen and tobacco industries.

Afterwards we visit Titanic Belfast, a fantastic interactive museum located on site of the original shipyard in which the famous liner was built. Hear heart-breaking tales about the vessel's passengers, discover the detail behind the mammoth task of building the ill-fated ship and dive into the depths with an immersive video exploring the wreckage on the ocean floor. 


Wednesday: Causeway Coastal Route scenic drive & Glenarm Castle
We head out on a scenic drive along the north coast, known as the Causeway Coastal Route, winding between picturesque villages and drinking in the striking sea and cliff views. We arrive at one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful estates, Glenarm Castle, which has been the private residence of the Earls of Antrim for 400 years. After lunch here, we enjoy a guided tour to learn more of the castle’s history. Throughout the castle are superb examples of Irish furniture as well as portraits of family members from the early 17th century onwards. The castle’s walled garden is one of Ireland’s oldest, originally created to supply the house with fruit and vegetables and now filled with lovely flowers and specimen plants.

Thursday: Ballywalter Park
We visit one of Ireland’s most important Historic Houses, Ballywalter Park, where we enjoy an exclusive guided tour by the owners followed by refreshments. Home of Lord and Lady Dunleath, it was built in the Italianate Palazzo style for the present owner’s great, great, great grandfather between 1846 and 1850 to the designs of the eminent architect, Sir Charles Lanyon. A conservatory and billiard room wing, also by Lanyon, was added around 1870. The house has been afforded Grade A* listing as being of exceptional architectural importance and is situated within a walled demesne of some 270 acres containing pleasure grounds plus a fine collection of specimen trees and rhododendrons.

Friday: Departure
We check out of our hotel and transfer to Belfast airport for our return flight home.

Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change.



What's Included

  • Return flights to Belfast
  • Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
  • Airport transfers in Ireland
  • 5 nights at the Holiday Inn, Belfast with dinner & breakfast
  • Welcome buffet dinner on the first evening
  • Porterage where available
  • Welcome drink
  • After-dinner tea & coffee at the hotel
  • Coach transfers to & from your excursions
  • Visits to Glenarm Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Benvarden, Redhall Estate, Titanic Belfast, Montalto Estate, Hillsborough Castle, Mount Stewart House & Ballywalter Park
  • Guided tour of Glenarm Castle
  • Guided tour of Ballywalter Park
  • Accompanied by a friendly tour manager in Ireland

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre (JG4 rating)

The Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre is ideally located in walking distance of local restaurants and traditional Irish bars and cafés, perfect for soaking up the welcoming hospitality of this vibrant city. The hotel offers everything we need for a comfortable and you can expect a relaxed open lobby with a bar and Starbucks coffee shop, restaurant, fitness centre, free Wi-Fi and stylish rooms with tea and coffee-making facilities and a flat-screen TV.

Reviews of this operator

Tracie Chana (Google Reviewer)  

My trip to Scarborough and...

02-Dec-2023

My trip to Scarborough and Witney.was fantastic .food at the grand hotel was buffet style.so you could help yourself.i went Monday to Friday from 20 November 2023

Christine Frodsham (Google Reviewer)  

Just come back from Liverpool,...

09-Mar-2024

Just come back from Liverpool, our driver, Gareth, was lovely, he looked after us, was an excellent driver and nothing was a bother. The coach was very clean and comfortable. My first time with the company and would recommend. Have requested brochures for next trip.

Patricia Stockton (Google Reviewer)  

Just returned from a 5day...

31-May-2024

Just returned from a 5day break to Weson super Mare, Bath & surrounding area, with my partner. The driver Martin was very professional, and a credit to your company. The hotel was a bit dated but could be overlooked by the quality of the home made food, it was fantastic & enough for the best of appetites. The staff & entertainment were also amazing. An excellent fun filled break.

Sonia H. (Google Reviewer)  

We book a holiday package...

07-Apr-2023

We book a holiday package to Torquay, with hotel, return by bus, and tour to 4 other cities included. Was amazing, the company on the bus, and the driver, Mr Lawrence very kind and helpfull. Recomend the company!

Suzy Picola (Google Reviewer)  

What a fantastic holiday we...

30-Aug-2022

What a fantastic holiday we had to Edinburgh Tattoo and Loch Lomond in August 2022 with Just Go Holidays, (Two adults and our 20 year old daughter) It was well organised, we had a fantastically friendly driver (Tony) and the holiday was great value for money. Unfortunately the Scottish weather wasn’t on our side, but that didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves. We loved it so much we have booked a European holiday for 2023. I can’t fault this company, it’s the first time we have booked with them and it won’t be the last.

Helen James (Google Reviewer)  

I have just returned from...

30-Jul-2023

I have just returned from Bournemouth. The hotel, heathlands hotel. Its only rated 2 star, its much better than that. Clean rooms, lovely staff. Dave, our driver, couldn't do enough. We went on trips every day. Highly recommended. Definitely going again. Thank you

Pauline Cook (Google Reviewer)  

Just returned from Italy, ...

03-Oct-2023

Just returned from Italy, brilliant tour guide David pleasant, helpful and friendly the same could not be said of the receptionist at our first hotel no food (apart from breakfast)or bar. We arrived 7pm ish asked him if there was anywhere nearby to eat and he told me to "use google". Found a small Trattoria a few hundred yards from the hotels secondary entrance. The lighting at this side of the hotel was not good neither was the road outside. This hotel was more used to weddings and functions that caterers were brought in for not for holidaymakers. Better planning needed!!

Zena Lampert (Google Reviewer)  

I am very disappointed with...

14-Feb-2024

I am very disappointed with my coach trip I paid £70 supplement for being single and I paid for a sea view when I arrived the room was small the bed was dirty the Seaview was a small square window and the view was a roof I asked to be changed was given a twin room with a seaview which was ok. The room was very dated the toilet flush didn’t flush there was enough Pugh milk to make one cup of tea and the sugar sachets had been there so long the sugar had gone hard. The dinner food was stone cold the salad lettuce was limp to say the least the food was atrocious so I decided to dine out. The breakfast I found eggs and toast which was edible. I have no idea why I paid an extra £70 the experience was awful. I will never go on another coach tour with just go holidays as they clearly do not checkout the hotels they allocate. Shame on you just go holidays I was appalled

Pauline Nestor (Google Reviewer)  

We have recently come back...

02-Feb-2024

We have recently come back from a short stay at warners nornton grange isle of white which was booked through just go holidays. After quite a long conversation with a very rude customer service chap called Simon at just go holidays who more or less told me that I shouldn’t complain about anything as we booked in January and what do you expect to get and if you don’t make sure that what you should have in your room is there and don’t tell the reception don’t complain about it. I’m very upset and feel that Simon thought that I was not worth talking to. On the whole don’t bother to pay extra for an upgraded room because others that didn’t pay will get the same room with the same two bottles of water two packs of crisps two packs of biscuits and two soft drinks without paying an extra £70 and if you don’t get what you think you should get please do not bother to ring customer service they are not interested in helping you

Rachel Smith (Google Reviewer)  

Really disappointing with this company...

26-Apr-2024

Really disappointing with this company Just Go Holidays as my mum cannot take her overnight trip due to being critical in hospital. The company are not being very helpful, no refund, zero flexibility, will not change dates or pick up location for someone else to take the trip in her place. No compassion whatsoever but good enough to take an elderly vulnerable persons money 😡 should be ashamed and I find this inhumane behaviour!

1 Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024
$1819

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.

    Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Why book with Barrhead?

protected icon

Fully Protected

All our holidays are fully financially protected.


Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.

search icon

Range

Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.


We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.


Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.

award icon

Expert Knowledge

We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.


Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.

atal icon

Trusted Agent

Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.


Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.


We look after you every step of the way.


Similar Tours