Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast has been named the UK’s top location for wildlife

The Causeway Coast was put forward for the accolade by Tara Shine, an environmental scientist, who described the Causeway Coast as a place of “outstanding natural beauty” featuring untamed dunes, sheer cliffs, and the iconic rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway.

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, BBC Wildlife magazine enlisted the participation of 60 conservationists, writers, presenters, and photographers who nominated their favorite nature destinations across the UK.

The top 10 destinations were then subjected to a public vote of 5,000 participants on the magazine’s website, followed by a YouGov survey among 2,000 individuals to determine the ultimate winner.

Commenting on the Causeway Coast topping the poll, a spokeswoman for Tourism NI said the landscape had “long been recognised as one of the most stunning coastal routes in the world”, and it was “no surprise” that it had also been recognised for its wildlife.

“Among the jagged hills and wave-crashed cliffs, there is an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat along the route for visitors to enjoy,” she said.

“From red squirrels and the Irish hare to Europe’s largest seabird colonies, seals and dolphins, the Causeway coast and glens has a plethora of nature on offer.”

City of Derry and Game of Thrones Nominated in World Travel Awards 2023

Meanwhile, there was further good news for Northern Ireland tourism elsewhere as Derry city and The Games of Thrones Studio Tour in Co Down have both been nominated in the 2023 World Travel Awards.

Derry has been nominated in the ‘Leading Festival and Events Destination’ in Europe category while the GOT Studio Tour has been nominated in the `Leading Tourist Attraction’ in Europe category.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the World Travel Awards are acknowledged across the continents as the ultimate travel accolade.

The awards seek to identify and reward excellence across the entire Travel and Tourism sector from every corner of the globe.

The Europe Gala Ceremony 2023 will be staged in Batumi, Georgia on September 30 with leading travel industry figureheads from across the continent expected to fly in for the VIP event.

The gala ceremony will take place at the 2,000-year-old Gonio Fortress, one of the world's best-preserved examples of Roman architecture, and a site steeped in myths and legends.

The awards are drawn by public vote and votes can be cast on the World Travel Awards website until August 20.

Further information is available at Vote – World Travel Awards