Crossing Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge with kids
Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast is home to some of the most stunning coastal scenery I have ever seen and a short drive from the Giant’s Causeway is the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
Owned by the National Trust, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a famous rope bridge near Ballintoy in County Antrim, which links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede and was first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755.
From the car park there is a beautiful mile-long clifftop walk along the stunning coastline to the rope bridge. You will need to purchase tickets at the reception hut in order to cross the rope bridge (National Trust members are free, but still need to get tickets to cross the bridge), although there is no charge to park and walk down to the bridge’s entrance.
The walk to the bridge takes around 15 minutes and includes a large number of uneven steps which is worth bearing in mind if you are travelling with small children.
The bridge itself is as impressive as I thought it would be, spanning 20 metres across to a rocky outcrop and 30 metres above the rocks below.
What I was not expecting was just how busy it would be, with people queuing to cross on both sides of the bridge.
There is a National Trust Ranger each side of the bridge who checks your tickets and grants access through the gate.
If I am honest, I found the whole experience quite disappointing. They send 20-30 people across at one time, so there is no time to stop and take photo’s, although I have been told it is quieter first thing in the morning. The kids were not phased at all, although we did have to be either side of Sebastian on the steep steps to ensure he didn’t fall.
We did have plans to cross the bridge and then head to Dunluce Castle, but were waiting a good half an hour to do the first crossing, and 15 minutes on the return crossing, so ran out of time.
Views of the stunning coastline are to each side and straight ahead as you step off the bridge and on to Carrick-a-Rede Island – the ‘rock in the road’ where fisherman came to catch migrating salmon. Sadly for us, much of the island was closed on our visit, so we didn’t get a chance to see the Fisherman’s Cottage.
It is then back across the bridge to head back to the carpark, where if you look carefully, you will find Larrybane – a location used in season 2 of Game of Thrones as Renly Baratheon’s camp and where Brienne was named to Renly’s Kingsguard. It was also used in season 5 as the setting for the Kingsmoot.
There are lots Game of Thrones Filming locations located along the Causeway Coast and all are well worth visiting for the scenery as well as their significance.
A family ticket to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge costs £22.50, but entrance is free for National Trust members. Get up to £8.40 back off annual membership by using Top Cashback.
Sarah Stockley
Gosh you guts are brave. I am a little scared of heights, I even get scared in the pier at Brighton! It does look epic though!
Mellissa Williams
I have to admit, I would have found that crossing a little scary. I am surprised too how busy it is
Sabina Green
Wow what a bridge, it is very high! It looks like a very cool place to visit especially with the GOT filming locations too.
Jennifer Gladwin
This looks so cool! My kids would love it, even if I would find it a bit scary! I’m not great with heights or bridges!
Kelly Fletcher
Love GoT so this looks like an amazing place to visit. When I get to Ireland this is definitely going to be on my list of places to go.
Rebecca Smith
I’d have been disappointed too to not be able to stop and take photos. I think I’d be too scared to go across it.
Afshan Nasim
This bridge sure does look interesting and a thing to do. The coast views look tremendous and the Game of Thrones reference makes it a worthwhile trip.
Tracey Kifford
Yet another thing I now MUST go to N Ireland to try for myself!! You’ve managed to singlehandedly move Northern Ireland from ‘will visit at some point’ all the way up to ‘can we get there this Easter maybe?’!!
Lucy Mackcracken
That’s a shame you don’t get to go across at your own pace and enjoy the scenery. I’d like to visit to see the scenery from game of thrones and bonus that we are national trust members so it would be free for us.
Mandy
Oh wow – it looks like northern Ireland is full of stunning scenery – that bridge looks a little bit nerve wracking though!
Amy - All about a Mummy
Bit of a shame the crossing is so busy and you had to wait such a long time to cross. But it does look very impressive!
Yeah Lifestyle
That bridge gives me the jitters but nevertheless I would still like to have a go at crossing it especially since it has such a stunning view as well
Michelle Murray
Wow that looks amazing. I would love to take the boys across that, they would love it.
Rachael
It looks like a beautiful place to visit and you’ve managed to get some lovely photos, even if you were t allowed to have the time to fully appreciate it. It’s a shame it was so busy and you weren’t allowed to do it all leisurely! Also a shame most of the island was closed, however I’d love to visit some GoT filming locations!