Four Belfast favourites, a Sunday lunch in Templepatrick and a Causeway visit I still talk about.

Every time I go back to Belfast, I tell myself we’ll try somewhere new. We do. Across Belfast and County Antrim, a few favourites always find their way back into the plan. There’s history, long lunches, a very good cocktail and, in my case, an entirely one-sided race against a bus.

Titanic Hotel Belfast

Titanic Hotel Belfast was my first luxury hotel stay in the city, and it still feels special whenever I walk through the doors. I love the former Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices, the drawings and artefacts on display, and the nautical details in the bedrooms. The bar even incorporates tiles discovered in the old offices, the same design as those used aboard Titanic. It’s a beautiful combination of style and history, with enough comfort to make me want to stay put for the evening.

And we often do. I can picture Martin and me on the soft sofas in the bar, cards on the table, talking much later than we meant to while I enjoy a warm cognac. I liked that little ritual so much that Martin bought me the same brandy glass warmer for home. It comes out on cosy winter nights when we’re not in Belfast. It isn’t quite the Drawing Office, but it brings a little of the feeling back.

When I stay, I ask for a Superior King room with a bath. It gives me plenty of space to move around, and with Martin there to help, that choice works for me. A bath is genuinely helpful when I’m travelling. The hotel’s accessible rooms are equally beautiful, with good wet room facilities, but no baths. It’s a personal choice, so I always check the particular room before booking.

I’m returning later this month, and I’ll share the experience here on The Inclusive Edit. We’ll make new memories, but I suspect the cards and cognac will still feature.

Titanic Belfast

I’ve visited Titanic Belfast both before and after its multimillion-pound refresh, and it’s superb. I love the way it draws you into the story. You move from Belfast’s industry and the building of the ship into its voyage and that terrible night. There’s so much to see and hear, but it’s the people and their stories that stay with me.

There’s even the little Shipyard Ride, which takes you through the sights and sounds of the working yard. It has a wheelchair-accessible car, subject to size and safety restrictions. It’s a fabulous day out for children and adults, with more than one way to become absorbed in the story.

After more than one very thorough visit, I still think Titanic Belfast is the most accessible attraction I’ve experienced. I’ve seen the hearing loops, audio-described guides, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and Changing Places facility for myself. I haven’t needed to use every service, but I’ve had a proper look around. Its access information gives the practical details, including the Shipyard Ride’s limits, so you can work out what suits you.

I have more to say about this one. A full editorial will follow as part of Access Northern Ireland.

The Armoury at Haymarket

Give Martin and me a game with a score and we’re both suddenly much less interested in pretending we’re there just to relax.

That’s why I love The Armoury at Haymarket. We’ve gone to meet family and we’ve gone for date night. The simulated shooting gives us something to get thoroughly competitive about before we move on to food, drinks and the rest of the evening. Last time, our teamwork saw us come third overall. You can imagine how casually I took that result. Now I’m wondering whether we’re still on the leaderboard. There’s only one way to find out, so I suppose we’ll have to go back.

If you read about our evening at Freight Island, you’ll know Martin and I have form with shoot-out games. What I enjoy at The Armoury is being able to get properly involved, laugh at ourselves and then carry on with the night. On my visits, I could take part from my wheelchair without feeling like the activity had to be rearranged around me.

Haymarket gives us options afterwards, too. The Lounge has a more polished feel; the Courtyard brings the street food and the buzz. My top tip applies to the whole place: plan ahead and book where you can. It gets busy.

Amelia Hall

Amelia Hall is where I love catching up with a friend I met at Titanic Hotel during my first stay all those years ago. Give us a table and their hot honey margarita, the best I’ve ever had, and we’re settled for the night. The margarita pizza is rather good too, so a margarita with a margarita may be my order from now on. I realise I’m choosing dinner by word association. I’m comfortable with that.

Inside, it’s lovely for coffee and cake during the day. Later, the lights soften and the room grows lively while you can still settle in for a proper conversation. Outside, the big heaters make the seating area surprisingly cosy. We’ve sat there in November and stayed warm enough to enjoy ourselves, which felt like its own small Belfast achievement.

And then there’s the little Fiat 500 beneath the arches. I have no idea why it’s there, but I rather love it.

The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, Templepatrick

My first memory of The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat was visiting just as the Covid lockdown was lifting, when there was an antibacterial misting station outside. Of course I treated it like a human car wash for wheelchair users and took great pleasure in rolling through it while singing the Christina Aguilera version of the song! We’ve been back for a few lovely lunches over the years, and its Sunday lunch is fabulous. It’s the sort of meal you give plenty of time to, especially when you’re there to catch up with family.

So far, our visits have been lunchtime ones, but Hunter’s Bar keeps giving me reasons to come back later. There’s live entertainment on some nights, and on Fridays and Saturdays they even offer a free lift home within three miles. I haven’t tried it, but how cool is that? Someone’s thought about how the night ends as well as how it begins.

With my in-laws in Antrim, we’ve always stayed with family and gone to The Rabbit for lunch. I haven’t stayed the night yet, but each visit has made me a little more curious about what the full experience feels like. A couple of nights there is on my list for a future trip. For now, it’s the lazy lunches I love, and the reason The Rabbit has earned its place here.

The Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim

The Giant’s Causeway takes me back to the early days of Martin and me. We hadn’t been together long when I first visited Northern Ireland in 2021, and we spent a lovely afternoon there with his dad. I remember looking at those columns, fitted together so precisely, and wondering how on earth nature had managed it.

I wanted to get right down to the stones, and once we set off, I decided I was pushing myself back up too. Martin and I had never done anything quite like that together. The route was kinder than I’d expected, the views kept drawing me on, and halfway up I had that lovely feeling of having surprised myself.

Right about then, the shuttle bus passed me. I looked at the young ones on board and thought, Well, even if I stop here, I’ve beaten you lot. They had no idea we were competing, of course. I carried on to the top, still counting it as a win.

That route worked for me on that day. The paths, slopes and stones offer different challenges, so have a look at the National Trust’s visitor and shuttle information before deciding how you’d like to explore.

If you’re planning a day trip from Belfast without driving, you can also browse Giant’s Causeway tours through Get Your Guide from The Inclusive Edit’s Selected page. Check the vehicle, access arrangements and time at the Causeway with the operator before booking, as each tour is different.

These are the six places I find myself talking about afterwards and wanting to return to. If you’re making your own list, Discover Northern Ireland’s accessible things to do guide is a useful way to find more ideas. I’d still check the details with each venue before travelling. Knowing how the journey will work is part of being free to enjoy it when you get there.