A flying visit to Belfast to visit family, just before Christmas, meant we were wrecking our routine, but this weekend away was a success for our two adopted children. Belfast is familiar, it’s where grandparents, one uncle, and two aunts and a couple of cousins live. Everyone speaks English. And we stayed at the Premier Inn, in the Titanic Quarter. It was buffet breakfasts galore.
Hanging out in the Titanic Quarter, Belfast
Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is a sprawling expanse of urban space, and is one of the world’s largest regeneration projects, injecting life into this area. And standing in the centre is the Titanic Belfast.
The Titanic Belfast celebrates the historic ship the RMS Titanic, its history, its people – those that sailed on it and those that worked on it, those who died on it and those who survived. The Titanic Belfast uncovers the ship’s incredible stories, its tragic end and brings to life the city’s rich, local history.
The children loved it and once kitted out with their own kids’ audio guide, they were off.
What is great about the centre is its sheer scale, it’s enormous, the exhibits are interactive and easily accessible for children and there’s even an indoor cable car ride.
Titanic Belfast
1 Olympic Way
Queens Road
Titanic Quarter
Belfast BT3 9EP
Discovering St George’s Market
If you are a foodie then this is a must. Housed in a beautiful Victorian building is this award winning, glorious, indoor food market. Last year the market scooped the Observer Food Monthly 2016 Best Market Award.
St George’s Market is overflowing with stalls selling Donegal oysters, fresh meat, cakes, doughnuts even curries. We were there on a Saturday when the food is complemented with high-quality arts and crafts.
I’ve fallen for Flax Fox’s Textile Designs. I love the hand drawn art and I want to get my hands on the Belfast cranes cushion, featuring Samson and Goliath, the city’s celebrity cranes.
St George’s Market, Belfast
12 – 20 East Bridge Street
Belfast
Antrim BT1 3NQ
And you’re just minutes from the countryside
Belfast is a small city surrounded by glorious countryside. It’s well worth taking the trip to explore some of the city’s lush surroundings.
Cave Hill Country Park
After stuffing ourselves silly with the Premier Inn buffet breakfast, we had to burn off a few calories. And just nearby is Cave Hill Country Park. We didn’t complete the full four and-half-mile route but got the kids up a small part of the walk. We stopped off to take in the view.
The hills overlook Belfast, and one the landmark’s most famous feature is ‘ Napoleon’s Nose’. It is said to be the inspiration for the giant in Gulliver’s Travels. And yes, when you are looking from afar, it does really look like a sleeping giant!
Cave Hill Country Park
Cave Hill
Antrim Road
Belfast BT15 5GR
Lough Neagh Northern Ireland’s largest freshwater lake
Lough Neagh, just outside Belfast, is a large fresh-water lake, the largest in Northern Ireland. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot. Great if you want to escape for some tranquillity.
A great place to head to is Oxford Island nature reserve and take a wander along the paths, meadows, and if you are a keen birdwatcher, seek refuge in the hides. It’s a really beautiful spot.
I have never been to Belfast before but this has certainly given some inspiration. I’d really like to go one day. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) recently posted…Children’s Skiwear Essentials with Muddy Puddles
I have a very similar post in the works. Belfast is my home town but it’s changed so much. And seeing it from a parent’s eyes now has really helped me fall back in love with it.
Hopefully your guide convinces more families to visit.
#bigpinklink
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Over the past 18 years I have seen the city change so much. It’s a fab holiday destination, the city and the coastline, more people ought to go!
I loved Belfast when I visited- just before the Titanic Museum opened so would love to go back with my daughter (only a bump last time!) #citytripping
Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…City Tripping #59
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I do hope you get back there, the city has changed a lot, always getting better and better.
I’ve never visited before but it looks amazing! I’d love to visit there one day.
#MarvMondays
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It’s a fab place, really worth dropping by if you get the chance!
I would love to go to Belfast – I’m quite obsessed with the Titanic, for its story and also because I had a great uncle on it. Looks like there are many other enticing parts of the city as well. Hope to make it there some day. #citytripping
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With that personal connection you really should go. It’s a brilliant experience.
Oh it looks amazing!! I love Ireland, but have never visited Belfast (I’ve been to Dublin, Galway, Cork, and some of the rural areas surrounding these places,) but now Belfast is firmly on the list of places I’d like to go, so will have to save your tips! It was great that the children weren’t too unsettled there-it sounds like a huge win all around!
#bigpinklink
This Mum’s Life recently posted…PCOS Has Ruined My Life
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I do love going to Ireland, I’d love to take the kids to southern Ireland, it’s brilliant there to! Yes this was one of our more successful holidays.
I have never been to Ireland but I really would love to go one day. I find the story of the titanic really interesting too and the places you visited look beautiful xx #bigpinklink
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The story of the Titanic is pretty amazing, and hugely tragic, it was so interesting to learn about the more personal stories of people on board the ship.
Oh these are good tips because I’m thinking of travelling to Belfast sometime in October. I know it’s a long way more to go but there will be a Travel Bloggers’ Exchange (TBEX) conference in Killarney, thus I’m considering a Belfast trip post-conference will be a good idea. Thanks for sharing 🙂 #citytripping
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That’s a brilliant idea, it’s a super friendly city too – enjoy!
It would be incredibly interesting to visiting Belfast and learn more about the Titanic! I’ve always found the movie, story and history so interesting! #CityTripping
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I hope you get a chance to pay Belfast a visit, I’m sure you’ll love it!
As a foodie and lover of the outdoors I’d be up for St. George’s Market and Cave Hill County Park. Belfast sounds like a great place to stop and explore.
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It’d be perfect for you. If you are a foodie – then the north coast is amazing, and pay a visit to Harry’s Shack – you won’t be disappointed!
I’ve only recently started seeing Belfast as somewhere I’d like to visit but with Titanic and Game of thrones etc I think i would really enjoy #citytripping
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I think you ought to pay a visit, the city, the countryside, and the coastline is stunning – but maybe wait for the summer months!
What a lovely post. I would love to visit Belfast.
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Thank you!
I’ve never been to Belfast would love to go. I’d especially enjoy learning about the titanic
Author
The Titanic Belfast is a brilliant place, so much to learn about the ship and the city.
looks like you have had a wonderful time and perfect timing as we are hoping to visit in a few weeks. will be adding them to the list! Looks like you had a wonderful time! #citytripping
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Oooh perfect eh! Have a fantastic time.
We loved our visit to Titanic Belfast and Northern Ireland! I am hoping to find my way back someday… #citytripping
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I hope you do, it’s a fabulous place, well worth another visit. My favourite areas are the coastlines, they are just stunning.
Sounds like a wonderful place to visit; I’d love to see the Titanic Quarter.
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Well, if you have a list of places you are hoping to visit, stick Belfast on it!
One of my good friends is from Belfast originally and I know that she has mentioned the freshwater lake a couple of times. Its beautiful xx
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Thank you, it’s really beautiful out there, well worth a visit.
some great ideas there of places to visit x
Sarah – let them be small recently posted…Meal Planning – Week 2
Sounds like a great place to visit and more to do than I would have thought
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Belfast is full of surprises!
This looks like such a fun place to visit and loving the view from Cave Hill Country Park! I love historical finds. #MarvMondays
Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…#HappyLittleButtons December Round Up
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Thank you. It is a stunning place.
Sounds like you all had a lovely break. I’ve just had a nosy on the Titanic, Belfast site and it looks such an awesome place to visit whilst over there 🙂 x
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The Titanic Belfast is a super place and child friendly too which is fab.
What a beautiful place to visit, with so many different activities. I’d love to visit the Titanic Quarter and look at all the history.
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…iCandy Peach All Terrain Pushchair
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Thank you, we have a super weekend, and we learned so much too.