An Exclusive Tour of Northern Ireland’s Finest Houses

Fly to Belfast and transfer to the La Mon Hotel & Country Club, Castlereagh. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.

Located along the beautiful Antrim Coast,  this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers hexagonal basalt columns, created by underwater volcanic activity some sixty million years ago and guarded by the foaming ocean and dramatic cliffs. Or you may believe the story of Finn McCool, an ancient warrior who, according to legend, built the incredible Giant’s Causeway as a way to access Scotland to fight another giant. Interactive displays, exhibitions and audio guides in the state-of-the-art visitor centre unveil the stories and science that surround this natural phenomenon. Please note that it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

We then travel along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, with its breathtaking views and rugged beauty. Our destination is one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful estates, Glenarm Castle, which has been the private residence of the Earls of Antrim for 400 years. During our guided tour, we see the wonderful collection of Irish furniture as well as portraits of family members from the early 17^th century onwards. There's also time to explore the castle’s walled garden, one of Ireland’s oldest, created to supply the house with fruit and vegetables and now filled with lovely flowers and specimen plants.

Today, we spend our morning in Northern Ireland's vibrant capital, visiting Titanic Belfast, a fantastic interactive exhibition located on the site of the original shipyard where the famous liner was built. Hear heartbreaking tales about the vessel's passengers, discover the details 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.

Afterwards, we take a peek into the Redhall Estate, a private family home which dates back to the 16th century, with a 12^th-century motte and bailey still standing proudly near the house. Sitting pretty in ancient parkland, Redhall has been shaped by various generations and boasts stunning views over Islandmagee and Larne Lough. We learn more during our guided tour, followed by refreshments.

Our first visit is to the impressive Montalto Estate, once a much-loved residence and now open to the public. Dating back to the early 1600s, Montalto has been almost exclusively a family home and we find out more about its history on our guided tour, followed by refreshments. Outside, the estate boasts exquisite 400-acre grounds of Emerald-green Irish countryside, twisting trails and beautiful gardens.

Next, we head to Hillsborough Castle, a beautiful late Georgian mansion created in the 1770s by Wills Hill, the first Marquis of Downshire. Surrounded by 100 acres of glorious gardens, Hillsborough boasts elegant State Rooms filled with wonderful paintings, furnishings and curiosities. Generations of the Hill family lived at Hillsborough until the early 20th century when the castle began to develop the political and royal associations for which it is famous today. Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret spent many holidays at Hillsborough and since the 1970s, it has been the official residence of both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the British monarch.

Our destination this morning is the magnificent Neo-classical Mount Stewart House and Garden, located on the shores of Strangford Lough. Home of the Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry, for over 250 years, this recently restored and much-loved family home offers a wealth of treasures. The wonderfully atmospheric garden, with its series of formal themed garden compartments, full of rare and tender plants from across the globe, has been voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world.

From here, we make our way to one of Ireland’s most important historic houses, Ballywalter Park, for a fascinating guided tour of the house and gardens. Home of Lord and Lady Dunleath, the property 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, featuring pleasure grounds, a fine collection of specimen trees and pretty rhododendrons. We also enjoy some refreshments during our visit.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.