Discover Alone
“Castles need rent, I bet.”
Belfast Castle. It’s not what you think, lads. It’s a fancy Victorian mansion, not a dusty stone ruin. Built between 1867 and 1870, it sits 120 metres up on Cave Hill. It’s Grade A listed, which means it’s very important and very expensive to fix. The original castles were way down in the city centre, near the River Farset. That river now runs under the streets, so the old castle is basically a ghost. This current gem is a show-off, giving you a massive view over the Lough and the city. It’s in Cave Hill Country Park, so you can wander the grounds. Just check if the doors are open, as it hosts events. It’s a bit of a trick, really. You come for the history, you get a very well-dressed Victorian house with a cheeky view. But hey, the view is free, and that’s the only rent you have to pay.
Photo: Trevor Caruth (Uploaded by Johnnykimble ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · Five minutes' walk
McArt's Fort
“He named it after himself.”
McArt’s Fort was built by a guy who really wanted to impress his girlfriend, but she left him for a farmer. He never got over it and named the place after himself anyway. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.
McArt's Fort is recorded as a mountain / peak in County Antrim. Summit height: 348 metres above sea level.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n2129302448Photo: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about McArt's Fort →
Stop 3 · A short walk away
Prairie dog
“King of grass, apparently.”
Prairie dog in County Antrim was told by an old prophecy that it would become king of the hill, but it never happened because it got distracted by grass. It pops its head up looking extremely confused about why nobody is bowing down to its majesty. Pretend you're a lost aristocrat, nobody will check.
Recorded as: Visitor attraction.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n4056341705Photo: Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Prairie dog →
Stop 4 · A 10-minute spin away
Titanic Slipway
“Cow bought the slipway, maybe.”
Titanic Slipway in County Down is where the actual ship was built, and now it’s paved over with markings for the deck so you can walk on history. A cow once tried to buy this place because she thought it was a nice pasture, which says something about my understanding of real estate. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.
Titanic Slipway is recorded as a heritage attraction in County Down.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w158099644Photo: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Titanic Slipway →
Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 5 minutes
Queen Victoria
“Still shouting at the clouds.”
Queen Victoria statue in County Antrim is stuck in a feud with the neighbours over who actually owns the view from her balcony. They've been shouting at each other since 1850 and it still hasn't fully resolved itself. If anyone asks, Tom sent you.
Recorded as: Statue.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n4631998524Photo: Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Queen Victoria →_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4849543.jpg){kind=link}
The whole day on one map
See everything else around Belfast Castle →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.