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Major city · United Kingdom

Cookstown

Give Cookstown one night with a car: the town street takes an hour, the megaliths and mills need wheels. Without a car, skip it or use it as a bus stop.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Cookstown is a small Mid-Ulster town in County Tyrone with the longest main street in Ireland, 1.25 miles long and 135 feet wide, laid out in the 1790s. The town itself is a short stop; the reason to come is the countryside around it, where Bronze Age stone circles, a working beetling mill, forest parks and Plantation-era houses sit within a 15-minute drive. Public transport reaches the town but not the sights, so a car or a hired taxi for a few hours decides whether the trip works.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days, many rural sites muddy)
Airports
BFS · BHD · DUB
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cookstown111 ▾
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cookstown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or tea in a town café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of draught beer£5–6 (≈ US$7–8)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, 5 km (3.1 mi) in towncheck£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
  • Metro or bus rideGoldliner bus Belfast to Cookstown, one waycheckabout £12 (≈ US$16)
  • Museum or sight ticketWellbrook Beetling Mill entryAdult £8.30 (≈ US$12), child £4.20 (≈ US$6), NT free
  • Budget bedB&B double room, a night, per room£80 (≈ US$110)
  • Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · High £120 (≈ US$160)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Longest main street in IrelandBeaghmore stone circlesWellbrook Beetling MillTullyhogue Fort and the O'Neill kingsThe Sperrins hills
Airports
BFS Belfast International (Aldergrove) (About 1 h by car via M2 and A31; no direct bus to Cookstown) · BHD Belfast George Best City (About 1 h 15 min by car via M1 and A29) · DUB Dublin (About 2 h 30 min by car; M1 north then A28 and A29. Goldliner X4 runs from Dublin to Cookstown, about 3 h (check))

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cookstown: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

18 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

15 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

16 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

14 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

14 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

13 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

14 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

15 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

15 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

7°C (45°F)

17 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

17 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

18 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town is walkable end to end in about 25 minutes, but the sights are scattered across the countryside with no useful public transport. Hire a taxi for a few hours rather than trying to chain buses; over a dozen firms operate in town. National Cycleway 95 runs mostly on-road through Cookstown between Armagh, Dungannon and Strabane.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Beaghmore stone circles

go

Door to door: About 30 min by car

Car via A505 and Blackrock Road, about 15 min; the public bus runs only twice a day

Free, open 24 hours. Seven circles, ten stone rows and twelve cairns in bogland; wear boots.

Wellbrook Beetling Mill

caution

Door to door: About 30 min by car

Car via A505 and Wellbrook Road, about 15 min

Open June–August, Saturday and Sunday 1–5PM only. Adult £8.30, child £4.20, National Trust members free.

Tullyhogue Fort

go

Door to door: About 10 min by car

Car or a 2-mile walk south of town

Free, open 24 hours. The mound where the O'Neill kings of Tyrone were inaugurated.

Drum Manor Forest Park

go

Door to door: About 15 min by car

Car via Drum Road, about 10 min

Car park £5. Gardens, arboretum and waymarked trails; camping on site mid-March to October.

Springhill House, Moneymore

go

Door to door: About 30 min by car

Car via A29 and Moneymore, about 20 min

Daily 11AM–4PM. Adult £10, child £5, National Trust members free.

Belfast

overnight

Door to door: About 1 h 45 min

Goldliner Bus 209 from Cookstown bus station, about 1 h 30 min

Three buses Monday–Saturday, two on Sunday. Worth a night or two, not a rushed return.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Molesworth Street and William Street)

Walk to pubs, cafés and the bus station; the Belfast House has rooms above a pub.

Drum Road (south edge)

Glenavon and Greenvale hotels, both about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the main street; easiest with a car.

Old Coagh Road (north edge)

Royal Hotel, a short walk from the top of the main street.

Drum Manor Forest Park

Camping and caravan site in the forest, open mid-March to October; car needed.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
High
£110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range hotel double1 × 1 night × £150£150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75£150
Goldliner Bus 209 Belfast to Cookstown, one way2 × £12 · check£24
Taxi for a few hours around the rural sites1 × £60 · check£60
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8£16
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£40
Trip total≈ £220 per person per day, bed included£440≈ US$600

2026 estimate in pounds; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or tea in a town café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
Sunday carverycheck£14–20 (≈ US$19–30)
Pint of draught beer£5–6 (≈ US$7–8)
Taxi, 5 km in towncheck£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
Goldliner bus Belfast to Cookstown, one waycheckabout £12 (≈ US$16)
Drum Manor Forest Park car park£5 (≈ US$7)
Wellbrook Beetling Mill entryAdult £8.30 (≈ US$12), child £4.20 (≈ US$6), NT free

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet town with a low crime rate for visitors; the real risks are rural roads after dark, livestock in fields at unmarked sites, and wet, uneven ground at the megaliths. Standard UK advice applies: 999 or 112 in an emergency, 101 for non-urgent police.
  • Without a car, most of the listed sights are unreachable: the bus to Beaghmore and the beetling mill runs only twice a day.
  • Some rural sites sit on private land (Dun Ruadh, Creggandevesky) and access can be blocked when livestock are in the field: ask first.
  • Killymoon Castle and Lissan House are private or tour-only: book ahead, do not turn up.
  • Wellbrook Beetling Mill opens only June–August, weekends, 1–5PM.
  • Sunday bus services are thin: two Goldliner 209 runs from Belfast.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

CookstownCookstown

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Cookstown; the US Consulate General is in Belfast, and most other countries have embassies in London or Dublin (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 209 Belfast Grand Central → Cookstown: about 1 h 30 min, three Monday–Saturday, two Sunday (check)
  • Bus 273 Belfast → Dungannon, then Bus 80 to Cookstown: about 2 h total, hourly first leg (check)
  • Taxi for a few hours around the rural sites: about £60 (≈ US$80), agree the total before you set off (check)

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello (hel-oh)
  • Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
  • Please — Please (pleez)
  • Where's the bus station? — Where is the bus station? (wairz thuh bus stay-shun)
  • Do you take card? — Can I pay by card? (doo yuh tayk kard)
  • Is it far? — Is it far? (iz it far)

English is spoken everywhere; no phrasebook needed. Card is accepted in most town businesses, but carry some cash for rural sites and small cafés.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cookstown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (wet, short days, many rural sites muddy) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BFS, BHD and DUB: last bus and taxi fallback field-checked.
  2. Walking cluster for the main street with cutoffs for Holy Trinity Church, Derryloran Parish Church and the old railway terminus.
  3. Rural loop fixture: Beaghmore, Wellbrook, Tullyhogue and Drum Manor in one driving day, with opening-hour gates.
  4. Taxi-for-a-few-hours price band checked with two local firms.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources