I’ll never forget the drive up to Portrush – or rather, the detour that nearly did me in. We’d packed the car with enough snacks to feed a small army, the sat-nav chirping away like an overexcited budgie, when suddenly we hit a massive pothole just past Coleraine. Bags flew everywhere, my other half’s thermos of tea exploded all over the boot, and I’m swearing under my breath trying to salvage a soggy pack of biscuits. “Welcome to Northern Ireland roads,” she laughed, as we pulled over for a roadside picnic amid the chaos. But honestly, that little mishap just amped up the anticipation – we were buzzing to get to our seaside spot in nearby Castlerock, dreaming of crashing out with ocean views.

Pulling up to the cottage, we were gobsmacked. This fabulous home sits perched in the seaside town of Castlerock, overlooking the beach with cracking views straight out to the Atlantic. From its elevated position, those windows frame the sea like a postcard, and we couldn’t wait to fling them open. It’s perfect for a cosy couple’s break like ours, though it sleeps eight if you fancy dragging the mates along next time. Stepping through the main entrance into a wee hallway, we found two ground-floor bedrooms – a king-size with its own en-suite shower, and a double, both spot on and comfy. Up a bit, the open-plan living space hit us like a wave of holiday magic: flooded with natural light, those Atlantic vistas pulling you in. We dumped our bags and straight away lit the woodburner, flopping on the sofa with mugs of tea, staring out as the sun dipped low.

The next few days were pure bliss, all about those simple pleasures and the gentle chaos of cottage life. Mornings kicked off with brekkie round the dining table – me faffing about as the self-appointed chef, burning toast while we plotted the day. A short hop to Portrush’s East Strand beach was our go-to; we’d wander the sands, dodging jellyfish (pro tip: wear wellies), then grab fish and chips from that legendary spot on the prom, scoffing them on the sea wall with gulls eyeing us up. Afternoons? Rambling along the beach right below the cottage, collecting shells till our pockets sagged, or just lounging by the woodburner with a Netflix binge when the drizzle rolled in – because let’s face it, that’s half the fun of a coastal getaway.

One evening, as we watched the waves crash under a pink sky, I had a proper moment of self-reflection. Life back home’s a whirlwind of deadlines and to-do lists, but here, stirring a pot of stew while chatting nonsense about nothing, I realised how these unhurried days recharge the soul. No grand plans, just us, the sea, and the odd seagull ambush on our picnic. We even braved the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre down the road – well, the edge of it, keeping it local – marvelling at the basalt columns like kids, before retreating to our haven for stew and a cheeky glass of wine.

Heading home, we were already plotting a return. There’s something about that elevated perch, the beachy vibes and cottage quirks – like the wonky door that always stuck when you were laden with beach gear – that makes it feel like our secret spot. If you’re after relaxed family vibes (or just a couple’s chill-out), this is the ticket. Pure Northern Ireland magic.