Natural beauty and rich culture
Northern Ireland is becoming an increasingly popular tourism centre and its easy to see why with its stunning natural beauty, a largely pollution-free environment and a rich, colourful culture.
Setting Northern Ireland apart is the diversity of its landscape and the ease with which visitors can travel from its long stretches of sandy beaches through its spectacular glens and rugged, heather covered mountains to its beautiful lakes and sparkling rivers.
Shaped by its history of glaciations and weathering, Northern Ireland’s distinctive landforms are home to many habitats and species of animals, plants and marine life.
The buildings of our towns, villages and countryside have been constructed over several centuries and form the architectural heritage of Northern Ireland. Reflecting the use of local materials, details and traditions, our buildings are unique and worthy of protection and conservation.
There are more than 8,500 listed buildings 
in Northern Ireland. Often perceived as country houses and fine churches, listed buildings are in fact highly varied and range from water pumps to thatched cottages, lighthouses to factories and bridges to post boxes.
Much of the value of this historic landscape lies in its complexity, regional diversity and local distinctiveness. Often related to natural features, such as hills, valleys and water sources, the sites reveal a wealth of information about the way in which past generations lived, worked and died.
