cleanest

The cliff path has been named the cleanest hiking trail in the UK by Independent Cottages – though the route is impacted by rockfall and has some impressive drops along the way

A dizzying cliff path overlooking a churning sea has been crowned the UK’s cleanest hiking trail.

The Gobbins, an extraordinary and awe-inspiring route that stretches for three miles along the treacherous cliffs of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, has clinched the top spot in Independent Cottages’ ranking of the UK’s cleanest walking trails. Remarkably, there were no mentions of uncleanliness across more than 1,300 reviews.

The Gobbins presents a surreal landscape, born from colossal geological forces and subsequently shaped by the elements. Today, it teems with life and has been captivating courageous visitors for over a hundred years.

The tale of The Gobbins begins some 200 million years ago when the Earth’s continents were united in the supercontinent, Pangaea. The land that would eventually become northeast Ireland was submerged beneath a warm, shallow sea.

Algae and single-celled organisms thrived in these waters, their calcium carbonate shells slowly accumulating layers of calcium on the seafloor after they died, which solidified into a limestone layer, reports the Express.

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Milo Boyd

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This is what gave rise to the coastlines and caves that are dotted across Ireland today. This stone forms the bedrock of The Gobbins’ spectacular rock formations.

Atop this lies basalt, a product of eruptions from now long-extinct volcanoes, which has been fractured and moulded by the shifting bedrock of tectonic plates as Pangaea separated, and later, vast ice sheets during ice ages.

The outcome is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline found anywhere across the British Isles, which happens to offer countless habitats for diverse birds and marine creatures. For instance, the Gobbins hosts Northern Ireland’s sole mainland colony of puffins, which nest in the cliff-face earth disturbed by ancient glaciers.

“Guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, and kittiwakes make their homes high in the rocks and scan the waters from perches on the sea stacks. The depths teem with fish, feeding in the plankton-rich waters of the North Channel. Lion’s Mane jellyfish, one of the largest such species, migrate through here, providing prey for seals, porpoises and other marine mammals,” the official Gobbins Cliff Path website writes.

“Low tide exposes the rockpools under the path, a home for molluscs, sponges and weird nodules of red seaweed. Spleenwort ferns, kidney vetch, and sea campion cling to cracks in the rocks or hold down patches of volcanic soil.”

The stunning natural landscape has transformed this location into an essential walking destination, first attracting masses of nature enthusiasts and day visitors during the Victorian era. Berkeley Deane Wise played a crucial role in shaping the Gobbins into what it is today.

This civil engineer, who had climbed to the position of Chief Engineer of the Belfast and County Down Railway and had created a groundbreaking signalling system that cut accidents on his routes, possessed a dedication to safety and fascinating design. Amongst his creations are the mock Tudor structure and clock tower in Portrush, plus walkways and a tearoom in Glenariff Forest that offer a superb view of its woodland and waterfalls.

The Gobbins Cliff Path is widely regarded as his most significant achievement and perfectly captures his brilliance as an engineer dedicated to helping ordinary folk enjoy remarkable experiences.

Construction commenced in 1901 and spanned several years, given the challenge of transporting steel girder bridges manufactured in Belfast via barges and rafts. These were subsequently hoisted into position using lines lowered from the clifftop.

The pathway became enormously popular and drew vast numbers of tourists from throughout the British Isles. “There is, in short, nothing like The Gobbins anywhere else in the world,” noted a correspondent in the Proceedings of the British Association in 1902.

A writer for The Sketch observed: “Surely there is something in the influence of the Irish climate which acts upon the rocks. The tints are softer and deeper. The very air is laden with poetry.”

Regrettably, the Gobbins route is currently shut due to rockfall. If you’re considering a trip, ensure you verify the official website for the latest information on its availability.

The pretty market town was crowned Best Place to Live in the country in 2012 and won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times, yet few tourists make it there

The UK is home to some truly stunning villages and towns. From cobbled streets winding through rolling countryside to clifftop whitewashed hamlets and fairy-tale cottages scattered across the landscape, Britain has it all.

But travel just a bit further afield, and you’ll discover places that could easily rival – or even outshine – the best of what Britain has to offer. Westport in County Mayo, Ireland, is one such gem. Getting there couldn’t be easier, with Ryanair, British Airways, and Aer Lingus all flying into Knock, the closest airport to Westport. From there, it’s just an hour’s drive west to this coastal Heritage Town.

The journey itself is a treat, with the scenery becoming increasingly dramatic as you near the Atlantic and the mountains loom larger. Croagh Patrick, known as Ireland’s “Holy Mountain,” sits just five miles from town, its distinctive cone-shaped peak dominating the skyline above Clew Bay.

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The mountain draws both pilgrims and tourists alike. Every year on the last Sunday in July, worshippers make the gruelling climb to the summit, where they visit a chapel, attend Mass, and often perform acts of devotion – some even tackling the ascent barefoot or on their knees.

If that sounds a bit too intense for a relaxing break, don’t worry – there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the town itself. Westport boasts a beautiful Georgian town centre, while stone bridges span the tree-lined paths that run alongside the River Carrowbeg.

The town is remarkably pristine, offering an exceptional quality of life. Westport has triumphed in the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times – in 2001, 2006, and 2008 – and was named Best Place to Live in Ireland by The Irish Times in 2012.

It comes as no surprise that Westport is home to a wealth of outstanding pubs. Venues like Matt Molloy’s, MacBride’s, Porter House, and JJ O’Malley’s are all reliable choices and regularly feature traditional Irish bands in the evenings.

When the weather’s nice, tourists can wander along the Quay before making their way to The Point. “This is a fabulous place to meet locals on a nice day as they swim in the shallow waters of Clew Bay. I sat at a table and laughed as they chatted with each other, calling to friends who were not in the water. It was a kick to be a fly on the wall and witness friends and neighbours giving each other a hard time and laughing and gossiping,” notes travel blogger Wander Your Way.

Many tourists staying in Westport opt to explore destinations beyond the town centre, immersing themselves in the dramatic beauty of the countryside. A popular local saying in Clew Bay claims there’s “an island for every day of the year.”

In reality, there are roughly 120 designated islands, alongside countless smaller submerged limestone drumlins that appear when the tide goes out.

Clare Island is the largest of the true islands, its majestic silhouette looming on the horizon like a giant humpback whale. The short ferry crossing from Roonagh Pier is essential for visitors, providing spectacular walks and vistas. Clare attracts birdwatchers in their droves, who come to spot kittiwakes, fulmars, peregrines, guillemots, and the most charming of all – puffins.

For those prepared to travel further offshore, Inishturk beckons, billed as a “little piece of paradise,” according to the local tourism authority. Must-sees include the golden sands of Tra na nUan and Curraun, Ireland’s sole offshore-island natural lagoon, dramatic sea cliffs, and uncommon wild flora.

Westport is a treasure that’s difficult to fault, commonly considered a combination of Ireland’s best natural attractions with welcoming culture and streets that remain pleasantly uncrowded.

“I am a huge fan of Westport and County Mayo, perhaps because my wife’s cousin owns the Clew Bay Hotel and Madden’s Restaurant. I highly recommend both. Renting bikes in Westport and riding the Great Western Greenway is fantastic, love it. It’s a charming little town with excellent restaurants and pubs,” one devotee recently posted on Reddit. Another person enthused: “I second Westport! My wife and I had our honeymoon there (years ago, and in Clew Bay Hotel too! ) and frequently return. The people in the restaurants, bars, and shops are all so welcoming. If you’re not a fan of the pubs (and the music), there are plenty of interesting and easily accessible walks and cycle paths nearby. Can’t wait to go back!”.

A third observer noted: “It really does seem magical out there, lots of outdoor activities and seems less busy with tourists.”