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Downhill Beach

Mussenden Road, Downhill, Castlerock, County Londonderry, BT51 4RP
Downhill Beach

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About

Downhill Beach is part of an 11km/7 mile stretch of sand and surf offering a wealth of activities including water sports, scenic walks and facilities for that perfect family day out. Downhill Beach frequently attains the Blue Flag Award. Cars are permitted on this beach throughout the year.

PLEASE NOTE There is no seasonal RNLI Lifeguard Service operating at Downhill Beach this summer. Please exercise due care and caution when visiting this beach. The nearest lifeguarded beaches are at Benone and Castlerock.

Downhill beach and dunes, together with Benone and Magilligan beach and dunes, is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the quality of the sand dunes and associated flora and fauna. This special landscape offers opportunities for nature walks and sightings of bird life amongst a backdrop of cascading waterfalls, extensive sand dunes, and the prominent Mussenden Temple, one of the most photographed buildings in Northern Ireland. The Temple offers breath-taking views of the North Coast and dramatic 18th century ruins waiting to be explored. It is one of the most scenic strands in Ireland with views to counties Donegal, Antrim and Derry/Londonderry.

Facilities include:
On-beach free car parking (please take note of tidal and soft sand conditions)
Dogs allowed (restrictions apply 1st June - 15th Sept)
Horse riding (restrictions apply 1st May – 30th Sept, permitted before 11am and after 7pm)
Toilets at beach entrance

Downhill Beach is used in the filming of Game of Throne®s as Dragonstone, where the Seven Idols of Westeros were burned and Melisandre, flames dancing into the night sky, proclaimed: “For the night is dark and full of terrors.”

The nearest town to Downhill Beach is Castlerock, a small coastal town offering accommodation, pubs, restaurants, and rail and transport links. Other nearby destinations includes the seaside resorts of Portrush and Portstewart.

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Facilities

Attraction Facilities

  • Open Evenings
  • Open Mondays
  • Open Sundays

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Toilets

Leisure Facilities

  • Wifi

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Provider Preferences

  • Dogs accepted by arrangement
  • Free (parking charges may apply)

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
TicketFree

Free

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 70 reviews70 reviews

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Tel+44 (0) 28 7034 4723

Map & Directions

Opening Times

* All year round
** PLEASE NOTE ** There is no seasonal RNLI Lifeguard Service operating at Downhill Beach this summer. Please exercise due care and caution when visiting this beach. The nearest lifeguarded beaches are at Benone and Castlerock.

What's Nearby

  1. Hezlett’s picturesque thatched cottage exterior hides a fascinating early timber frame…

    0.51 miles away
  2. Mussenden Temple is located in the beautiful surroundings of Downhill Demesne near…

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  3. Castlerock is a 1km (0.7 mile) long stretch of beach between the sea cliffs of Downhill…

    1.41 miles away
  4. Benone Strand, multiple recipient of the European Blue Flag and Seaside Award, is a…

    2.12 miles away
  5. Gortmore's superb Viewpoint situated on the Bishop's Road on the Binevenagh Loop, as part…

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  6. Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering…

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  7. Flowerfield Arts Centre is Coleraine’s dedicated arts facility, offering superb…

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  8. Binevenagh is a tranquil area where the sights of Lough Foyle and Donegal can be seen on…

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  9. An inscribed stone cross at Duncrun marks the site of St Patrick's Monastery and the…

    5.43 miles away
  10. A well preserved Martello Tower at Magilligan Point, an important historical site in…

    5.83 miles away
  11. Magilligan Point is the tip of one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles.…

    5.88 miles away
  12. Picturesque riverbank area overlooking the River Roe beneath Binevenagh Mountain – a…

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  13. Coleraine Town Hall presides over the central shopping piazza in Coleraine. Designed by…

    6.45 miles away
  14. Award winning beach in the heart of the resort of Portrush.

    6.94 miles away
  15. Visitors to the area can explore this unique studio & gallery space featuring the work of…

    7.12 miles away
  16. Mountsandel Wood is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating to between…

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Map & Directions

Road Directions

Directions from Town:The nearest town is Castlerock which has excellent road and rail links

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