• Ryan Gray

• Published: Invalid Date,

A UK holiday destination has been described as "nature's answer to Disneyland" and the best place to take a family for a staycation.

There are plenty of locations in the UK that are worth a visit, making the planning of a family trip a difficult exercise.

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However, one place that stands head and shoulders above others in some people's eyes is the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland.

The area is home to some phenomenal natural sights, as well as famous distilleries and filming locations among other attractions.

The Times once listed the coast as the best UK family destination, claiming it was a natural alternative to Disneyland, but without any of the queues or pricey tickets.

They even listed it higher than favourite spots like the Lake District, Cornwall and Northumberland, claiming it had the most to offer for a family break.

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They wrote: "A giant’s boot, a wishing chair, Finn McCool’s camel: the sights of the Giant’s Causeway are nature’s alternative to Disneyland, loaded with myth and meaning, but without the cost, queues, and stress of the Magic Kingdom. 

"Northern Ireland’s Unesco-worthy coastline of curious columns is a grand place for a family break, with the County Antrim coast distilling everything that is great about the country.

"The 120-mile Causeway Coastal Route marries beaches and coves for kayaking with sea safaris for spotting seals, dolphins, and seabird colonies."

The jewel in the coast's crown is undoubtedly the Giant's Causeway -an area of tens of thousands of interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. 

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The UNESCO World Heritage site is managed by the National Trust, who invite visitors to "follow in the legendary footsteps of giants".

One recent visitors described it as "nature at its best" on TripAdvisor, adding: "The wonders of this amazing planet. Nice walk down to causeway. Stunning natural wonder. Plenty of places to click photos and sit and enjoy the view of the ocean."

The natural wonders extend beyond the causeway itself too, with dolphins regularly paying a visit.

Planet Radio explained: "If it's a show you're after, the Giant's Causeway has to be your first destination.

"The local dolphins here love to entertain and perform for passersby."

The cetaceans can also be seen swimming along the many beautiful beaches along the coast, including the likes of Benone Strand, West Bay and Ballycastle, all of which boast fine white sands.

For TV fans, there's also plenty of Game of Thrones shooting locations dotted around the area, with The Dark Hedges among the most famous.

The stretch of beech trees along Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim form "an atmospheric tunnel" according to Visit Belfast.

They continued: "Drive along the King’s Road which led Ned Stark to his death and Arya Stark away from King’s Landing.

"This location is probably one of the most photographed landmarks on the Game of Thrones Map and a hidden road on the way to Bushmills."

At the end of that journey, and after a day exploring, a trip to Bushmills might be just what you need, with the famous distillery providing its whiskey from the source.

The TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award-winning attraction is described by one reviewer as "by far one of the best experiences of our Northern Ireland trip".

Another added: "We thoroughly enjoyed being guided through the whiskey making process to our delicious complimentary glass at the finish."

Getting to Northern Ireland is pretty simple, with Ryanair offering return flights from around £30 from London.

A night for two at a bed and breakfast in Antrim can be booked from around £29.

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Meanwhile, you can watch dolphins on this beach not far from where they filmed Harry Potter.

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