I popped home to the Causeway Coast over the weekend. It was my first trip back since the pandemic took hold and it was great to feel north coast air again; nothing blows the cobwebs away quite like it!

This part of the coastline is usually a lot less crowded than the more well known tourist spots, so it’s been top of the north coast visit list during these strange times. We set off early from Dunseverick car park to cut down as much contact as possible with anyone else adventuring. We explored the beautiful area around the ruins of Dunseverick Castle before setting off east along the cliff path towards White Park Bay.

I adore this part of the coast. It’s so vibrant and varied with castles, cliffs, caves, streams, wild flowers and beaches all in the space of a few miles.

The cliff views are spectacular, but I particularly love part of the trail which drops down to sea level. It begins with a little bridge crossing over a waterfall, which creates a cliff side rock pool (great for a dip!) before travelling down to the sea. The sound of the sea is incredible here and the waves are stunning too. They errupt from little tunnels between the rocks in an almost volcanic way; a great nod to the volcanic heritage of the coastline!

The next part of the path is gloriously green and full of all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. There’s something very prehistoric about it; I always expect to see dinosaurs roaming around.

White Park Bay isn’t far away at this point; a lovely climb up a trail and we see it through one of my favourite caves, which is the inspiration behind one of my Causeway Coast themed illustrations!

Just around the corner, between us and White Park Bay is the beautiful Portbradden. I’m incredibly jealous of the people who live there!

Beyond there, it takes a bit of a clamber to make it over to White Park Bay and it has to be perfectly timed with the tide moving out. It’s worth it though; there’s something really magical and mythical about this part of the coast. Game of Thrones was filmed in the area and it’s easy to imagine dragons living in the deep caves that pop up along the cliffs. I’m yet to be brave enough to venture the whole way into one of the caves. They go back at least 50 feet!

Unfortunately at the final hurdle I accidentally walked right through a crystal clear rock pool wearing my trainers. It was quite refreshing I must say. However, I soon realised soaked, sandy trainers would make the hike back quite difficult.

It just meant we had to sit on the beach a little longer for the trainers to dry off in the sun.

I seized the opportunity to photograph some more of my coastal illustrations. The puffins below are very much inspired by the puffins on Rathlin Island in the distance; another gorgeous spot on the Causeway Coast definitely worth visiting.

My trainers didn’t dry much in the end, so I walked barefoot for as much of the journey back as possible. I had slightly bloody heels by the end, but it was worth it and all part of the adventure. I’m always surprised if I don’t end up with some sort of injury to be honest.

The walk totalled at 7.6 miles in both directions, so not far at all and the early start was great for avoiding people. However, we didn’t take into account that the route would get busier as the day went on. I’d definitely recommend finishing the walk well before lunch time if you can, as it’s difficult to socially distance on cliffs!