Things to do in Belfast
Catch a classical concert at Ulster Music Hall
Since 1862, Ulster Music Hall (https://www.ulsterhall.co.uk) has been a pillar of live entertainment for Belfast residents. Now home to the Ulster Orchestra, down the years it has seen the likes of Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and even Charles Dickens tread its boards.
Get your skid on at the Barnett Demesne trails
Located near Shaw’s Bridge, you can guarantee that when the owner of this former private estate handed the keys to the public in the 1950s, he wasn’t envisioning mountain bikes kicking up dirt through its woodlands. But that’s the draw of Barnett Demesne (www.mountainbikeni.com/barnett-demesne-trails-jumps-park) where 8.8km (5.4 miles) of trails await. Bike hire available.
Go horse riding in the countryside
Sheans Horse Farm (tel: +44 77 5932 0434; www.sheanshorsefarm.com) offers superb views and miles of tracks for experienced riders and novices alike. Just an hour from the city, riders can cross hills on horseback, negotiate tinkling streams, trot through hollows and canter along heather-covered slopes.
Shoot arrows like Anguy at Game of Thrones’ Winterfell
Game of Thrones was filmed at several locations throughout Northern Ireland, but few allow visitors to fire arrows like Anguy the Archer. Head to the medieval towers of Winterfell (actually Clearsky Adventure Centre (tel: +44 28 4372 3933; www.clearsky-adventure.com), one hour from Belfast, and try your hand at archery, rock climbing, canoeing and much more.
