Come January, I always feel the need to get to the coast, to blow away those winter cobwebs and start to embrace the new year ahead. So, yesterday as the sun rose on a beautifully frosty Saturday morning, we set off early on a little trip to Brown’s Bay. It’s a place I’ve never visited, but my husband used to go on day trips there with his brother and sisters when they were little.
Brown’s Bay is a small cove with a sandy beach located on the northern tip of the Islandmagee peninsula in County Antrim, approximately 45 minutes from Belfast. It’s a quiet little spot, surrounded by headlands on both sides, farmland beyond the beach and views to the Antrim coast and across the North channel to Scotland (on a good day!). As we had arrived early, the beach was empty, save for a few dog walkers who, like ourselves, were happy to brave the chilly elements.
Brown’s Bay looking towards Skernaghan Point
So, off we set for a walk along the beach and before too long, we discovered a path that led up to Skernaghan Point, the most northern tip of the Islandmagee peninsula and maintained by The National Trust. It was steep and muddy in places, and most definitely breezy but it was worth it for the views back down to the beach below and to the coastline beyond, dotted with pretty cottages.
The view back to Brown’s Bay as we walked up Skenaghan Point
Mist and bracken covered hills across the bay
Lovely to see the bright yellow of gorse on the hills (also known as whin)
Having stayed long enough to admire the views (and feeling chilled to the bone!), we made our descent from Skernaghan Point back to the more sheltered beach. We took a wander through the tiny and rather sleepy village, my husband stopping for a second at the old shop where he and his brother used to while away their day trips playing pinball. There are some lovely whitewashed cottages here at the edge of the bay making it an attractive destination for a weekend break. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is a perfect spot.
Refreshed from our walk and with memories revisited, it was time to head back to the car for the drive home, taking a last look at that lovely winter light.
Have a lovely Sunday x
(Brown’s Bay is free to access and there is free car parking opposite the beach).
I like to do just the same and am now on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire overlooking the Irish Sea
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha…I could almost wave to you from here…lol ๐
LikeLike
I donโt live far from here and on reading this has inspired me for a visit to see its beauty
Thanks for sharing โค๏ธโค๏ธ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh hi Caroline. I think Islandmagee is a beautiful part of the world. A bit of a hidden gem really. I’ll definitely be back ๐
LikeLike
This looks absolutely beautiful. I really want to head to the coast and just relax for a little while. Sometimes life gets hectic but the coast always reminds me to stay calm and breathe โก Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you very much. A wee trip definitely helps clear the head. Thanks for dropping by ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning landscape, amazing photos!๐๐โฅ๏ธ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much ..you are too kind ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seeing the water and the cottages in a distant sets ones soul at ease. What a wonderful day trip. ๐๐ฑ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lisa. I was so glad I made the effort to go ๐
LikeLike
Beautiful….looks like another good place to add to my list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah..that list is getting longer and longer !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are definitely making me want to head to the sea. Also , I didn’t know that Gorse is also called Whin. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can buy Gorse candles over here and they smell of coconut. Divine !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds lovely. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, you’ll have to have a job with N.I. Tourism!
A lovely day out and it is great to get out at this time of the year. We headed out yesterday on the Waterford Greenway – a walkway along the path of a disused railway track – and did a 10Km stretch. We were out again today for another 8Km walk and enjoyed both very much.
The garden continues to be a quagmire here – though the snowdrops are thriving – and we are slow to get ourselves back into the routine of gardening again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully you got some lovely weather for your walks. I know what you mean..my garden is looking very sad indeed. I am looking forward to getting back out there….when it warms up a little !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another long walk today so that tells you how the weather is here in Waterford. Gardening again soon, I hope!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, fingers crossed it wont be long !
LikeLiked by 1 person
My kind of place…
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s nothing quite like a walk along the beach in winter to clear out the cobwebs. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely…it did us the world of good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the way you capture both tamed and untamed beauty in your photos and blogs. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you so much. I’m having such a stressful time at work..your words have cheered me up no end. Thank you ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person