The River Bush runs through Bushmills and fishing permits are required to fish along the river. Information can be found on-line at NIDirect.gov.uk/angling.
Sea fishing does not require a permit. Fishermen often fish off the rocks in the bay opposite the cottage.
The Giant's Causeway visitor's centre is just 3 miles away by road although the Causeway cliff top path runs between the Causeway and Dunseverick castle ruin enabling visitors to walk the 5 miles along the path from the cottages to the Causeway itself. The coastal path continues in an easterly direction to Dunseverick harbour (a five minute walk away), Portbradden harbour (approximately 1.5 miles), White Park bay beach, Ballintoy harbour( approximately 3 miles distance and with a welcoming coffee shop) and on to the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge (National trust coffee shop). Wild flowers, sea birds, seals and dolphins may be seen along the route. The coastal path runs for approximately 18 miles. Alternatively a five minute stroll to Dunseverick harbour will provide you with spectacular views of Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre and the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura.
The Causeway Rambler bus runs hourly along a circular route from Bushmills to Carrick-a-rede throughout the summer permitting visitors with a hop-on, hop-off opportunity. The bus stops at Dunseverick castle lay-by.
The harbour provides the opportunity to while away an hour watching the small fishing boats bringing home the catch of the day, children dangling crab lines over the harbour wall or a group of kayakers paddling back to the harbour. If you are lucky you might spot a seal or two on the rocks at the harbour mouth. If you are feeling more active you could take a swim in the nearby rock pool. Red Duck Diving give scuba diving lessons in the area of the harbour and rock pool.
There are a number of excellent golf courses within easy travelling distance of the cottages including the Royal Portrush Golf Course which is one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world. Also nearby is Portstewart Golf Club which has 45 holes over 3 courses and closer still is Bushfoot Golf Club.
Horse riding is available from a number of venues nearby including Sheans Horse Farm, Armoy and the Island Equestrian Centre, Coleraine.
National Route 93 connects Whiteabbey, Larne, Glenarm, Cushendall, Ballycastle, Bushmills, Portrush, Portstewart, Coleraine, and Limavady.
Spar, Co-op and Centra supermarkets in Bushmills all open 7 days a week. The Spar and Centra have off-licence facilities. Local butchers provide meats for the BBQ and Glass’s vegetable shop is unique and well worth a visit. There are several coffee shops in the village.
Larger supermarkets such as ASDA, Tesco and Sainsburys can be found in Coleraine approximately 10 miles away.
The closest coffee shop to the cottage is about a mile along the road towards Ballintoy. The Bothy has become very popular with locals and tourists. It stays open late on Thursdays and is closed on Sundays.
Bushmills has two chip shops, two Chinese takeaways and a pizza takeaway.
La Tartine, The Bushmills Inn and The French Rooms are all good restaurants. The Bushmills Inn provides scones or toasted soda bread in the soft seating areas during the day and the front bar provides small bites such as potato bread chips. There is also live music at the weekend.
The Bayview at Portballintrae has a lovely view of the sea and provides scones during the day as well as lunchtime and evening menus.
Smugglers Inn provides bar meals and a restaurant menu.
The Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy provides bar food, the Red Door at Ballintoy harbour provides a lovely menu and O’Rourke’s café beside Ballintoy harbour is a delight of home- made desserts and does a great Ulster fry and Irish stew.
In Ballycastle the Central Bar and Cellar Restaurant are well established restaurants and the Salt Hotel just outside the town has lovely sea views from its bar/restaurant and a lovely menu. Scones and cake care available in the morning.
You can obtain a guide to cycling in Northern Ireland from Belfast Welcome Centre 028 9024 6609 and a guide to cycling in the Borough of Coleraine from Coleraine Tourist Information Centre 028 7034 4723