50 | THE LOCAL TOURIST
TEA STEEPED IN HISTORY
New Hotel Tipped to Open in Belfast Next Year
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a slate of voco™ hotels properties across its European markets as the brand’s fast-paced growth continues. Marking a significant milestone in
the brand’s expansion, voco Belfast will be a brand debut into Northern Ireland. The hotel is scheduled to open its
SITTING just a stones throw from the popular Crawfordburn beach is a traditional, white-washed building, outlined with a black wood trim which feels a world away from the busyness of Belfast. The old inn Crawfirdsburn lives up to its name with a stylish
and elegant flare of class from the get-go. Situated in the heart of crawfordsburn, the old inn nestles between similar buildings and you are instantly transformed back in time as you first set eyes on this location. Inside you will find a roaring fire- the smell of burning wood
and the distant chatter of guests fills the air with a home comfort familiar to many; let the old inn be your home from home. Having recently switched ownership, the galgorm group has peacefully disturbed the potential for an outdated look with a modern ‘tree top spa’ and new dining area. The modernisation is melted with tradition and it too provides
a homely feel. Warm browns of the wood decor, the cold air filled with warm steam from the jucazzi and pool and the pops of greenery throughout the area keeps the values of the old inn alive- just in a more relevant way. This can all be viewed from the new dining area which is
fully equipped with glass panels on both the ceiling and wall; separating two different experiences but giving a taste for both, whilst upholding privacy for the areas through shrubbery, the galgorm group has mastered the art of tranquility alongside conventional stay; this is best viewed, quite literally, from the protruding window opened on the spa side into the bar area. Those in the spa will feel it unnecessary to disrupt the peace they have built whilst inside, and therefore drinks and food canbe ordered from the window. Whether you are a guest staying at the hotel, out for the day
or just passing by, The Old Inn pulls all visitors into its warmth with a vibrancy of knowledge and a passion from the staff. An afternoon tea is one way in which to really take in The Old Inn in its entirety. Plush arm chairs, marble table tops, hearty mugs and a quirky,
yet tasteful art decor sets the scene for an Old Inn Afternoon tea. Choose your drink of choice from the extensive menu, which are complimentary under the pricing of the afternoon tea; be sure to fully acknowledge the vast array of tea-types whilst choosing and then… sit back and relax. Delight in the finest afternoon tea at The Old Inn, perfect for
those who love a timeless tradition in a luxurious and elegant setting. Booking afternoon tea at the Old Inn Crawfordsburn costs £27.50 on weekdays, and £29.50 on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please visit
https://www.theoldinn. com/afternoon-tea
LONG-TIME readers of NI Travel News will remember my first time giving Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) a go... and just how terribly it went. So when I was invited down to Killinchy to once again give SUP a go - this time with Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen - I was a little hesitant. To be honest, paddle boarding was something that I
really wanted to enjoy. Living on the Ards Peninsula, there are so many amazing places to explore on the water, the majority of them particularly suited to paddle boarding, but after my first go I really thought it wasn't for me. Always keen to give everything a second chance, I excitedly accepted the invitation and headed down to the shores of Strangford Lough one calm Sunday evening. Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen is probably better known
for her bread making classes, however she has a lot more to her repertoire. Pizza and paddle board is just one of them. Water sports are in the family's blood. Tracey's husband Joe is a paddle board and diving instructor while Tracey enjoys wild swimming and their sons cut waves on the local surf scene so we were definitely in good hands as we got a de-brief on the do's and don'ts of paddle boarding. Don't paddle over the seaweed... there's likely rocks just under the surface and don't put your wetsuit on with the zip to the front... you know, just the obvious. Do relax, do take in the scenery and do have fun. Once you have mastered the basics of staying afloat
on the board, Joe, our paddle sports instructor guided us around the stunning Ballymorran Bay and the little Islands of Strangford Lough. The water of the bay was cloudy, the recent storm having churned up the silt, seaweed and natural debris, however the sporadic little bubbles bobbing to the surface and the fish jumping to the surface of the glass still waters gave away the seals positions. Unfortunately they were all out hunting for fish underwater and we didn't see one pop its little head up. It's surprisingly easy what a change of location does
to change your mind on something. I went into this second foray of paddle boarding a little worried, however I can confirm, I am now firmly a fan of paddle boarding. Ballymorran Bay is a world away from the main Strangford Lough. Although it is still tidal, it is calmer, a lot more shallow (only 10 foot at the deepest points) and glass still. We started out in the bay at about 5.30 and spent an hour and a half paddling through the islands under a clear sky, reflected beautifully in the mirror-still water. The light was just fading as we reached the shore,
having worked up quite an appetite. After stripping out of our wetsuits and donning our dry clothes, we were welcomed into Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen by a roaring wood burning stove and the aroma of freshly cooked focaccia. Tracey's husband Joe had put on his chef's hat and
was outside at the pizza oven. Meanwhile Tracey had hot tea on the table and a freshly baked focaccia was just out of the oven. With a chunk of focaccia in one hand and a steaming mug of tea in the other, we walked out to the pergola where Joe was placing thick slices of mozzarella on homemade pizza dough, ready to go into the pizza oven. During the warmer months you can enjoy your pizza alfresco. But since we are now into the winter months, we all gradually gravitated towards the warmth of the kitchen. As we awaited the pizzas back in the kitchen, we
tucked into another chunk of focaccia and another steaming mug of tea. Soon, four amazingly tasty pizzas arrived on the
table and were quickly devoured, before a large dessert pizza with nutella, marshmallows and banana arrived to help us wash down the rest of the tea. A thoroughly recommended evening. If you aren't partial to some pizza (are you crazy?)
Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen also offers SUP and Soda or Canoe and Cake.
doors in early 2024 in partnership with Cliste Hospitality. voco Belfast will feature 120 rooms and enjoys a prime location in the city centre, according to a recent announcement by the brand. voco Belfast has been
tipped to be set perfectly positioned for a break in the city, with quick access to Belfast’s historic landmarks, museums, shopping, and entertainment venues. With recent signings and openings
in France, Spain, the UK&I, Austria, Portugal, and Belgium, these additions take Europe’s voco hotels total number of opened and signed properties to 37* **, up from 28 at the end of 2022, marking more than a 25% increase in ten months. First launched in 2018, voco hotels
is one of IHG’s fastest-growing brands with more than 100 properties signed and opened globally.
www.nitravelnews.com
November/December 2023
Armagh’s Georgian Festival Returns...
Armagh’s award-winning Georgian spectacular is back in the Cathedral City next month when Armagh Georgian Festival 2023 returns with a freshly packed programme of unique and charming events and activities designed to kick off the festive celebrations This
events
year’s run
from Thursday 23 November through to Sunday 26 November encompassing the highlight of the weekend, Georgian Day on Saturday 25 November.
A DAY WITH A DIFFERENCE
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