In the village that is home to the world’s oldest distillery, between the Giant’s Causeway and Royal Portrush Golf Club, this multi-award-winning hotel & restaurant has been outstandingly successful in recreating its origins as an old Coaching Inn and Mill House. Since its re-opening in 1987, the Bushmills Inn has come to epitomise the true spirit of Ulster hospitality and is regularly featured by travel writers and television presenters from all over the world.

Open peat fires, gas lights and stripped pine set the tone in the public rooms. From the hall, with its welcoming turf fire, and the elegant Drawing Room take the grand staircase to the Gallery - here the beauty of the Causeway Coast is brought to life with a permanent, but ever changing, exhibition by the internationally acclaimed local artist, James McKendry.

Then there’s the quaint round tower (which just could be the entrance to the secret library!) before reaching the loft, which dates back to the 17th century and was used for storing the hay over the stables. The original oak beams still support the roof and there is an intimate snug, complete with a stove fire, while the wall crevices offer an eclectic selection of reading matter.

The oak-beamed Loft with its fireplace “snug” is the gateway to the Mill House on the banks of the River Bush. Here these spacious and creatively designed bedrooms, discretely accommodating modern technology, all have their own sitting room area, small dressing room and, of course, private bathrooms. Complementing the Mill House are the original Coaching Inn rooms mostly overlooking the village. These smaller budget price rooms, all different shapes and sizes, are individually decorated; all en suite, with either a bath or shower.