Great Destinations Within a Few Hours of Ireland

There’s plenty to do and see in Ireland, which also makes for a great base from which to explore standout destinations throughout the UK. Let’s take a look at some of the options for those who are strapped for time and want to stay within the UK during their vacation.

Isle of Man

A short 3-hour ferry ride from either Liverpool, Belfast, or Dublin will get you to the Isle of Man. If you happen to go in May or June, you could visit the island’s annual Tourist Trophy motorcycle races. During any other time of the year, you can stop by Chapel Hill in Balladoole and the Cashtal yn Ard, two well-known burial sites that date back to the Viking era. The Isle of Man is also home to the Dhoon Glen together with the Inneen Vooar – the highest falling waterfall on the island.

Snowdonia

According to a Gala Bingo blog post that identified Snowdonia as a desirable dog-walking destination, the region contains both Wales’s highest mountain and 1,500 miles’ worth of footpaths (not to mention 100 lakes!). You can also visit the arts and crafts stores, parks, and the beautiful if not slightly intimidating Caernarfon Castle. If you enjoy walking, Snowdonia’s National Park is one of the most popular hiking places in Britain for a reason, and it also has options for climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Be sure to take pictures from the summit, where you can see all the way to Bala Lake.

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher reach 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, and eight kilometers of coastline, it’s a beautiful walk from start to finish. Also known as the Cliffs of Insanity from the Princess Bride and the sea cave from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Cliffs of Moher have various places to stop and admire, such as Hag’s Head, Doolin, and O’Brien’s Tower. Of course, the cliffs themselves are gorgeous – so much so that they’ve been named one of the world’s most popular selfie spots according to RTE.

Liverpool

Liverpool is chock-full of things to do. Curd nerds can enjoy a cheese crawl full of cheddar and cheese puns. History enthusiasts and Whovians should visit the World Museum and its new Doctor Who exhibit. Tourists can also enjoy the Mersey ferries to see the wonderful waterfront, visit the HOBO Kiosk pub for some weirdness, or simply walk around the city to find hidden Beatles-related, well, everything. Don’t forget that roaming around the city and getting somewhat lost is half the fun in Liverpool.

Bodnant Garden

Bodnant Garden, established by Henry Pochin in 1874 and now a National Trust property, is easily one of the most breathtaking gardens in Wales. The best time to go is between May and June, when the blossoms cover the garden with vivid colors. If you go any day from October to the end of March (or on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays during other months), you can also bring your dog! Regardless of when you visit, there is always something beautiful to see here. It’s important to note that the gardens have suffered from damage from Storm Arwen recently, but the head gardener and his team are working hard to clear debris and restore the gardens.

These UK destinations have something for everyone, so we hope you’ve gotten some inspiration to book a trip in or near Ireland. The areas here have a wide variety of activities, so you’ll have more than enough things to do in each – there’s no room for boredom here!

Article written by Rianne James 

Rianne is a freelance writer and blog contributor based in North Carolina. She writes about a range of topics, but particularly enjoys covering travel, culture, and fashion.

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