B&B by the Sea: destination guide

During the series, we saw guests partake in sea swims, beach yoga and visit amazing places - with everyone exclaiming at how being close to the ocean brings a sense of calm... Read on to find out more ways to soothe your mind. 

Shirley Ballas enjoyed some beach yoga on Downhill Beach in episode 6; however, you don’t have to do the downward dog to enjoy what is widely regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful beaches! This magnificent 11km stretch of white sand offers a whole host of activities including water sports and horse-riding. Indeed, Dragon’s Den investor, Deborah Meaden, shed her fierce boardroom demeanour to enjoy a canter along Downhill Beach with Crindle Stables beach rides – a wonderful way of reconnecting with nature.

Or perhaps like Cerys Matthews, you could head to the Giant’s Causeway: a beguiling UNESCO World Heritage Site that leaves all who visit it utterly spellbound. Standing on the hills that wrap around this unique place is a great vantage point from which to look down to the thousands of hexagonal-shaped "stepping stones”, which date back to a volcanic age almost 60 million years ago.

If you're feeling brave on your next visit to the Atlantic Ocean, take a dip and see for yourself why all the locals love an invigorating sea swim! The rush of adrenaline gives way to a wonderful sense of calm, and there is honestly no way better to kick-start a beautiful day - just ask Olympic sprinter Linford Christie or hopeless romantic Fred Siriex of “First Dates”, who both took the plunge in episodes 8 and 14.

PLEASE NOTE There is no seasonal RNLI Lifeguard Service operating at Downhill Beach this summer. Please exercise due care and caution when visiting this beach. The nearest lifeguarded beaches are at Benone and Castlerock.

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Enjoying good food, understanding its connection to the earth, and appreciating the nourishment it provides was central to the BBC series’ guests' experience. Northern Ireland's food and drink scene is thriving. You'll find small batch distilleries, award-winning restaurants and traditional methods of farming and producing food with a modern twist - as discovered by the celebs in this series. 

During episode 9, we saw Gavin and Stacey star, Larry Lamb, visit Riversdale Farm, a traditional farm, farmed by the Reid family for over five generations, which (perhaps surprisingly) has started producing Wagyu beef. Meanwhile, football legend Neil Ruddock headed to Glenarm Farm: lying in the shadow of the historic Glenarm Castle, it has been the ancestral seat of the McDonnell family since the 17th century. The farm’s organic beef supplies leading restaurants and hotels including Fortnum & Mason in London.

London-born actor and comedian Richard Blackwood headed to Corndale Farm, Northern Ireland's first free-range charcuterie producer - famed for their delicious Chorizo! The farm also produces venison salami and fennel salami and is a perfect example of how the Northern Ireland food scene employs traditional methods to create food with a surprising and modern twist.

Who doesn’t love some fresh and local seafood on their holiday? Fresh from the Atlantic Ocean on right onto your plate – Northern Ireland is renowned for the variety and quality of its seafood. During the series we saw Ugo Monye give scallop fishing a go, whilst actress and comedian Nina Wadia went lobster fishing in Portrush, returning to the B&B to cook a decadent lobster linguine with wild garlic to celebrate the fresh catch. Continuing with the seafood theme - television, stage, and radio star Debbie McGee visited the North Coast Smokehouse in episode 10, where she learnt all about the traditional process of smoking fish in the picturesque town of Ballycastle. 

Whilst having a serene mind and healthy body is great – engaging in an activity purely for the fun of it can be an enriching experience that can lift your spirits for a long time to come! Take inspiration from the series and check out the below activities. 

Geordie biker Si King hung up his motorbike helmet and took up sea angling on the Causeway Coast in episode 2. Sea angling is hugely popular in Ireland due to the immense diversity of fish and over 6,400km of varied coastline. There is something almost spiritual about the process of fishing – a activity that connects you with the land, the wildlife - and yourself. 

Rugby star and presenter, Ugo Monye, went for something slightly more energetic and had a go at stand up paddleboarding – demonstrating just how challenging something that looks so simple can be! A popular activity along the Causeway Coast, there are many pretty fishing villages that offer quaint views as you gently glide through the waters.

The Causeway Coast is a route of raw beauty from the Giant’s Causeway to the eastern gateway of Ballycastle. Ballycastle is very much worth a stop – as experienced by Larry Lamb, who enjoyed a stroll around this charming town, which is still an active fishing port (and a fantastic spot for fish and chips!)

The city of Derry~Londonderry is steeped in history and is a fascinating place to visit. In episode 11, Neil Ruddock enjoyed a walking tour of the ancient city walls, which stretch a whopping 1.5km around the city and over 400 years old. There's lots to explore in the city, from the buzzing craft village to the fantastic walled city brewery, fascinating museums and wealth of restaurants, bars and traditional pubs (not to mention a selfie at the Derry Girls mural, if you’re a fan)!

B&B by the Sea is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer