The Best Of Britain - Northern Ireland

Some places seem determined to defy easy description. Northern Ireland is one of them. Attempt to summarise it in a sentence and you’ll almost certainly leave something important out. It is a land of dramatic coastlines, ancient castles, lively cities, quiet villages, world-class scenery, rich industrial heritage, legendary hospitality and enough stories to occupy several lifetimes. It has inspired poets, filmmakers, engineers, golfers, musicians and travellers in equal measure—and it rarely leaves visitors entirely unchanged.

Published in 2009 by Crimson Publishing, The Best of Britain – Northern Ireland sees Mal Rogers explore this fascinating corner of the United Kingdom, highlighting the places, landscapes and experiences that make it such a rewarding destination. From the bustling streets of Belfast and the historic city of Londonderry/Derry to the rugged Antrim Coast, the Mourne Mountains and countless picturesque towns in between, the book offers an engaging introduction to a region whose appeal extends far beyond the familiar postcard views.

Rather than racing breathlessly from one attraction to the next, Rogers encourages readers to appreciate the remarkable variety packed into such a relatively compact area. There are stately homes and prehistoric monuments, bustling harbours and peaceful glens, whisky distilleries and windswept cliffs, all sitting comfortably alongside a rich cultural tradition that continues to evolve. It is the sort of guide that reminds you travel is often about discovering places you hadn’t originally planned to visit.

Reading the book today brings an added layer of enjoyment. Travel guides have an odd habit of becoming historical documents without anyone noticing. Hotels change names, restaurants come and go, new visitor attractions appear and road layouts somehow become more complicated than they seemed at the time. Yet the landscapes remain gloriously indifferent to all of this, and Northern Ireland’s natural beauty has an admirable tendency to ignore publishing dates altogether.

There is also a pleasing irony in the title. Declaring somewhere to be "the best" is always a wonderfully optimistic undertaking, especially in Britain, where every county, village and seaside town quietly believes the honour belongs to them instead. Fortunately, Northern Ireland requires very little exaggeration. Between the spectacular coastline, centuries of history and famously warm welcome, it makes a persuasive case for itself without raising its voice.

This copy is in Good condition and comes as an ex-library book. That means it has already enjoyed a productive career introducing readers to Northern Ireland before eventually finding its way to Crappy Old Books. Expect the usual library stamps, labels or other institutional markings—evidence not of neglect, but of a book that has been doing precisely what books are supposed to do: travelling from reader to reader, quietly broadening horizons one loan at a time.

Whether you’re planning a future visit, reminiscing about past adventures or simply enjoy browsing travel books from a slightly earlier era, The Best of Britain – Northern Ireland remains an engaging companion. It captures the excitement of exploration while reminding us that the finest discoveries are often found just beyond the places everyone else has already photographed.

Sold, as always, by Crappy Old Books—because yesterday’s guidebooks often become tomorrow’s nostalgia, and the best journeys usually begin with a well-thumbed book rather than a fully charged phone.

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