Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Camping Holiday UK - Visiting the Great Giant Causeway. by Sean Revell

The Giant's Causeway is a mystical and magical place based on the North East coast of Northern Ireland. World renowned, the causeway was deservedly awarded a World Heritage site designation in 1986 and the only one in Northern Ireland. The first time I saw the North Atlantic waves crashing against basalt the hairs on the back of my neck rose and I knew that I was going to have a holiday to remember. The raw power of the waves are awe inspiring, the Causeways beauty captivating.

The Causeway is a spectacular coastal landscape, jagged cliffs, isolated bays and outstanding views. But take another look and a whole different world can be shown before your eyes, ruins, wells and shoreline fields show the harder side of life in fishing and farmer by past generations. These are views you will never forget.

The Causeway forms a rugged headland of 40,000 tightly packed columns that visitors can walk along, by the edge of the sea. This headland is the result of a volcanic eruption over 60 million years ago, where the magma has cooled the polygonal columns remain. The mesmerizing patterns left in the stones were formed by rock crystallization under severe accelerated freezing (like what happens in more modern times in Hawaii). Thanks to the views and the eruption the Causeway has attracted visitors from around the world for centuries. The site became a favourite with tourists in the 19th century, especially after the Causeway Tramway was introduced.

The Causeway Coast and Glens offer a large variety of options when it comes to accommodation. There are local hostels, hotels and cottages to stay in but if you really want to sample the atmosphere and get in touch with nature at its purest then I'd advise you to stay at a campsite.


About the Author

This article was written on behalf of Camping and Caravanning Club, Camping Holiday UK and Family Camping Holiday.

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