Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island Landscape

Key Characteristics

• High plateau landscape with distinctive rugged coast, stepped profile and rocky knolls. Coast includes unique formation of the Giant's Causeway.
• Exposed sheep grazed landscape of windswept trees and broken walls; gorse on rocky knolls separates small fields of rough grazing.
• Rural landscape with villages associated with coastal bays; large, white hotels on cliff tops; modern bungalows; old derelict cottages on knolls.
• Ruined castles on cliff top locations along the coast. Long views are available from elevated areas across the coast and inland.

Landscape Description

The Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island character area on the north coast is characterised by the stepped profile and rocky knolls of the Middle Basalt. It is a high plateau landscape with a distinctive rugged coastline where vertical basalt, rough grass, scrub and lichen covered cliffs fall to the stormy seas of the north coast. The coast includes unique formations of basaltic columns, stacks and needles, most notably the Giant's Causeway. Small disused quarries, basalt outcrops, and sea cliffs give the area a broken character. The land rises to 207m AOD at Lannimore Hill.

The contrast between the black basalt cliffs, chalk and white beaches is striking. This is an exposed, landscape of windswept trees and hedgerows, hedge banks and broken walls. Gorse on rocky knolls separates small fields of rough and semi improved grazing. Stone walls are being replaced with post and wire fences where they have fallen into disrepair. The predominant land use is sheep grazing. Causeway Coast & Rathlin Island is a medium scale rural landscape. There are scattered villages of small white painted cottages located around coastal bays, and large, hotels on the cliff tops. Modern pebbledash bungalows and old derelict cottages are associated with knolls. Large farms and barns are visually prominent.

The area is rich in archaeology with several ruined castles, such as Dunluce Castle, seen along the coast and a scattering of raths and cairns associated with Lannimore Hill. Long views are available from elevated areas across the coast and inland. Wires and poles are prominent on the open skylines. Rathlin Island forms part of this character area. The land is surrounded by high basalt cliffs, and covered with small loughs; it has many interesting coastal forms, as well as wildlife and archaeological features.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The Causeway Coast is designated as an AONB reflecting its nationally important landscape status and pristine condition. It is world famous for its spectacular and pristine coastal scenery of dramatic cliffs and sandy bays. The wild, open character of the coast would benefit from minimal intervention or disturbance in order to conserve the dramatic undisturbed character and long coastal views. Rathlin Island is also a designated AONB landscape and is part of the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. On the high basalt plateau, the prominence of wires and poles on skylines, the poor repair of walls and banks, and the presence of derelict stone buildings gives the landscape a slightly degraded appearance. Many small disused quarries add interest to the plateau tops. This small scale farmed area would accommodate sensitive development in the form of cottage repair and conversion, provided that it is carefully designed.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The settings to historic features and old farmsteads located on distinctive rocky knolls should be protected from changes in land use, retaining the distinctive rough grazing and the gorse. Grazing pressure should be monitored to encourage biodiversity of the sward.
• The repair of drystone walls and hedgebanks would be beneficial in improving the structure of the landscape, and to avoid the necessity for further wire fences.
• Small scale quarries, exposing interesting geological formations should remain as features; their infill is not recommended.
• Commercial forestry would be out of character in this landscape.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• The impact of tourists could be minimised through the sensitive design and location of visitor facilities such as signage, car parks, toilets and visitor centres. The location of hotels and caravan sites, as well as new housing, in less visually prominent positions, set amongst trees or in hollows rather than on exposed cliff-tops is advisable. Such development would be particularly intrusive and should be kept to a minimum.
• Continued expansion of towns and villages focused around coastal bays requires careful visual analysis and planning in order to conserve the character of existing views. The use of traditional materials - white painted stone or stucco with grey roofs would be least intrusive.
• The conservation and repair of ruined castles would ensure that these distinctive landmarks are retained.