Kinbane Castle
Kinbane Castle
4.5
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4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
62
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
1
SammiW
Edinburgh, UK87 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
This fabulous site is open everyday and has been for about 18 months.Please update these details on Trip Advisor as no doubt it is preventing people visiting it.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
Bloomington-Normal, IL183 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Amazing location! We were there at sunrise during low tide as can be seen in our photos. Not much left of the castle.
The hike down is pretty easy but coming back up is not. Do not try unless you are in better than normal shape. This is a moderate to above moderate hike. Not lengthy just all stairs. You can get pretty decent photos from above. If you go down to the beach and it is low tide those black rock are very slippery when wet.
The hike down is pretty easy but coming back up is not. Do not try unless you are in better than normal shape. This is a moderate to above moderate hike. Not lengthy just all stairs. You can get pretty decent photos from above. If you go down to the beach and it is low tide those black rock are very slippery when wet.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen J
Hyde, UK321 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Absolutely amazing views! What's left of the ruined castle is worth the walk down! There are maintained toilets just next to the carpark, which is handy and info boards which have seen better days!
Its Up and down approx 1500 steps to be exact - so not for the feint-hearted. But it is 100% worth it and I'd do it thousand times over. Make sure you take a bottle of water with you. There are no handrails surrounding the top of the cliffs so you have to be extremely careful - it does actually tell u not to go further as its not safe!
It's certainly not a place to go when it is windy. But if you keep your wits about you then you'll be rewarded with some insane views. It's breathtaking and I was in love with the astounding scenery! When we were on the way back up, some rocks fell down, and the sound echoed around the cove, very eery! Would definitely recommend, but very treacherous and several stops required when ascending back up
Its Up and down approx 1500 steps to be exact - so not for the feint-hearted. But it is 100% worth it and I'd do it thousand times over. Make sure you take a bottle of water with you. There are no handrails surrounding the top of the cliffs so you have to be extremely careful - it does actually tell u not to go further as its not safe!
It's certainly not a place to go when it is windy. But if you keep your wits about you then you'll be rewarded with some insane views. It's breathtaking and I was in love with the astounding scenery! When we were on the way back up, some rocks fell down, and the sound echoed around the cove, very eery! Would definitely recommend, but very treacherous and several stops required when ascending back up
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
empathology
Rotterdam, The Netherlands505 contributions
Sep 2022
I suspect the best views of this ruined castle are to be had if you're a seagull (or a drone) set as it is high on the cliffs with the waves crashing below. It's picturesque and worth a photo stop.
Written 14 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott B
Wantagh, NY686 contributions
Aug 2022
A really unique place to build a castle in the past, and just thinking about how they got all the stone and materials there to build it baffles the mind. Although the castle isn't much now, you can get a few nice pictures of it and imagine how it once stood majestic in it's day. The hike down to it is fairly steep stairs so bring some good walking shoes and give yourself at least 30 minutes to go up and down from the parking lot. There is a food cart at the parking lot and restrooms, open til about 5pm.
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James W
Clearwater, FL602 contributions
Jul 2022
Our tour guide brought my wife and I to this location which does not appear to be much promoted. The castle is not visible from the main road, so one has to know to seek it out, although there are signs and a parking lot. The castle has a rich history as explained by our guide. It's location is fearsome both in terms of accessing it and, for adversaries at the time, attacking it. We chose to walk down to the castle which is probably about one mile along a path. It does get a bit steep, but cement steps have been installed in these sections. I would estimate that the vertical drop is over 500 feet, so be prepared to expend some energy, particularly on the return trip. However, it is a fascinating location and amazing that it has survived for nearly 500 years.
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
301lisa33
Coventry, UK1,875 contributions
Aug 2021
This castle is closed to visitors, for an extended period for repairs. But they clearly intend to re-open to the public in the future.
The castle is located part-way down the cliff-face: a fabulously defensive position. The views over to Rathlin Island are fabulous, so even when access to the castle is not possible a detour to the carpark is worthwhile
The castle is located part-way down the cliff-face: a fabulously defensive position. The views over to Rathlin Island are fabulous, so even when access to the castle is not possible a detour to the carpark is worthwhile
Written 24 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HubertCurran
Belfast, UK31 contributions
May 2021
The remains of the castle are in a spectacular location overlooking Rathlin Island and the sound. There is a path down to sea level which is quite safe but the climb back up is challenging if you're not very fit. The ruins are interesting and the views superb on a good day
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan
Norwich, UK8 contributions
Sep 2020
This place is so exciting that I failed to understand how that castle was built in 15 centuries sad that there’s no Guide and the only information I could get was was what was written on the board
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KattySmyth
Belfast, UK47 contributions
Sep 2020
I've explored the North Coast and I visited Kinbane Castle after a recommendation as I had never heard or been to it before. Safe to say, it is now one of my favourite places and what a history it offers to Northern Ireland. It is off the beaten track but there are signs for Kinbane Head which you follow to the car park. From the car park there is a longish staircase which is beautiful going down as the view gets better and better. It is a little trickier going back to the car but Kinbane Castle is beautiful and a must visit
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nigni2002
Carimate, Italy2,712 contributions
Hi
May I ask you how to find the parking area to start the way down to the castle.I arrive from ballycastle.
Thank you everybody
Gianluigi
nigni2002
Carimate, Italy2,712 contributions
Hi
I wondere if you can help me.Where is the car park ( outside Ballycastle?) from where you can start climbing the steps?.Thank you very much to everybody,Ciao Gianluigi
KailuaGal
Honolulu, HI237 contributions
Aloha Gianluigi,
I found the information below on the internet. I hope it helps.
Once you are on the B15 road from Ballycastle towards the Giants Causeway and Bushmills look for the sign that points towards Kinbane Head to the right. The road is very narrow and not suitable for coaches. Drive for a few hundred yards and you will come to a large parking area which is most of the times empty. There are toilet and picnic facilities there. The parking area is on a vantage point overlooking the sea and Kinbane Castle and with excellent views across the ocean. On clear days you can see Scotland.
Cheers,
Denise
Dale C
Magherafelt, UK
Hi there, what days and times is the access to the castle open?
LeesaS88
Belfast, United Kingdom5 contributions
I was there about a month ago, it looked to me like there was always access. just a decent path with no locked gates and no staff- be prepared for lots and lots of steps. The American lady who rated the castle terrible may not have got past the public loos - these look like they are always closed.
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