National Trust launches a new range of guided tours at Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway.
Designed to connect visitors to the natural, historic and mythological wonders of the Giant’s Causeway, the five new Giant Experiences Tours will be available to people who book tickets for the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience.
The Visitor Experience already includes onsite parking, access to the award-winning visitor centre café and shop, guided walk and use of an audio guide. From 27December it will also include a choice of specialist guided tours: Giant Experiences.
The new Giant Experiences tours will allow visitors to join a small group for a socially distanced guided walk, focusing on a specialist subject area such as geology, oceanography, flora and fauna and conservation.
Tours will be available from Sunday 27 December and will be held at 11am and 2pm each day, departing from the Visitor Centre. A timetable of tour dates can be found on the Giant’s Causeway website.
Speaking ahead of the launch Ciara McClements, Experience and Visitor Programming Manager for the Giant’s Causeway said: “We are delighted to offer this selection of bespoke tours, delivered by our team of experienced tour guides. Each tour allows visitors to get a deeper understanding of a key element of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Whether your interest is history, marine wildlife or geology, visitors can join a tour that connects them to this special place in a new and engaging way. Each tour explores a different area of the site, from the clifftop path to the rock pools that sit alongside the Grand Causeway, and visitors will be taken on a fascinating journey as our guides bring to life the unique heritage of this iconic place.”
The Giant’s Causeway is cared for by conservation charity the National Trust. Visitors who book the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience are directly helping to look after Northern Ireland’s coastline, historic sites, countryside and green spaces, ensuring everyone benefits.
The Giant Experiences Tours:
Nurturing nature: Take a closer look at the ecosystems of the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site on this conservation tour of the clifftop path. Join Jenn and learn more about the flora and fauna that have adapted to live in the special habitats found along the Causeway Coast and how the site is managed to promote ecological diversity.
Fables and folklore: Join Keith to hear some of the lesser known stories, myths and legends of the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast. For example, did you know the Giant’s Causeway’s oldest name was the ‘Stepping stones of the Formorians’? Learn more about the ancient history of this very special place.
Secrets of sea and shore: The coast of Northern Ireland supports an exceptional diversity of marine wildlife and habitats. Join Kathryn to hear more about phenomena such as tides, currents, plankton blooms and discover some of the creatures you can expect to find living in our coastal waters and shore.
Fire, ice and stone: One of the reasons the Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is because of its global geological importance. In this Giant Experience you will join Johnny to find out how this striking landscape was formed in fire, shaped by ice and set in stone during the Tertiary period, some 50-60 million years ago.
Vikings and voyagers: Join James on this Giant Experience and step back in time to when Vikings and pirates roamed the seas. Learn more about the trading routes, shipwrecks, smugglers and heroes who helped form the rich tapestry of this stretch of the Causeway Coast.
How to book tickets
One Giant Experiences tour will be running twice daily, 11am and 2pm, from Sunday 27 December. To join one of these specialist tours, please book Visitor Experience tickets through the Giant’s Causeway website and arrive in time for the tour departing. For example, if you wish to take the 11am Giant Experience tour it’s recommended you book online for the 10:30-11:00am arrival slot.
For the schedule of the first week of tours and to book your Visitor Experience tickets please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway
