Nestled peacefully at the mouth of the River Dun, this delightful village brims with character, boasts countless tales, and is enveloped by breathtaking scenery.

Cushendun boasts both a scenic harbour and a peaceful beach, courtesy of its prime position on the Irish coastline whilst being encircled by undulating farmland hills.It provides the perfect retreat from the chaos of daily life and allows visitors to fully embrace the natural landscape.

In fact, one of its natural caves is so captivating it served as a filming location for the HBO series, Game of Thrones. The red caves were created over 400 million years ago but gained prominence in season two when they provided the setting for the birth of the infamous shadow assassin in the show.

After exploring the cave, one visitor said in a review: “The area around the caves is absolutely beautiful. I found the caves to be fascinating. The walls were made up of giant round rocks and solid dirt. Make sure you wear shoes to walk to the caves.”

Throughout the village, tourists will notice the idyllic houses that contribute to its serene atmosphere. Ronald John McNeill designed the surrounding area in 1912, commissioned by Ronald John McNeill, Baron Cushendun, with the aim of recreating a Cornish village.

Constructed in an 18th century style, a neo-Georgian house joined the collection and Cushendun evolved to resemble something plucked directly from the Cornwall coastline.

This, combined with its tranquil coastal setting, enabled the town to receive designated Conservation Area status in 1980. Today the region remains largely maintained under National Trust protection, which has been the situation since 1954.

The village’s distinctive Cornish character was crafted to honour the Baron’s wife, who hailed from Penzance, Cornwall. This tribute persisted beyond her death, when Ellis chose to construct a series of whitewashed cottages specifically as her memorial – these are recognised as Maud’s Cottages.

A recent visitor said it was it their new “favourite spot”.

They posted on TripAdvisor: “I would live there in a heartbeat. It’s a special place in every way. The beach is beautiful and safe. The little houses are cute, and the village is filled with flowers and hanging baskets. We’ll be back.”

Another added: “Cushendun is probably the nicest small town/village on the coastal drive. It is set in a conservation area managed by the National Trust at the mouth of the Glendun river and attracts many visitors annually. Anyone travelling the Antrim Coast road northwards should make a point of reaching here for a break to enjoy the tranquillity.”