Castlerock Beach: An award-winning stretch of golden sands
Award Winning Beach
Castlerock Beach starts at the River Bann Estuary. The gorgeous Castlerock Beach is long and wide, perfect for playing and beach walking around a 1km or 0.7-mile stretch of beach between the sea cliffs of Downhill to the west and the Lower River Bann estuary known as the Barmouth to the east. The beach was awarded the Seaside Award several times over the past few years.
The beach is located northeast of the Castlerock Promenade, stretching east towards the heathland to the River Bann.
Castlerock Beach backs onto the tranquil resort of Castlerock. The dunes east of the entrance are home to Castlerock Golf Club.
Visitors can access the beach via the dunes using 4 new boardwalks.
Can You Drive To Castlerock Beach?
Yes, you can drive onto Castlerock Beach. Cars are permitted on the eastern portion of the beach all year round. However, access may be difficult due to the accumulation of soft wind-blown sand (please heed signage at the entrance).
There is car parking along the promenade and also along the main street, which is just a short walk from the beach itself, and it is more accessible to the family areas.
Walkers and anglers can walk along the concrete pier of the Barmouth. Still, they should always exercise extreme caution (inadvisable in high winds and breaking sea).
Castlerock Beach is beautiful, looking out over the North Atlantic Ocean, perfect for playing with children or for a swim, surfing, fishing, horse riding, paddling, kite surfing, kayaking and more.
Castlerock Beach Facilities:
- free car parking on Promenade
- boardwalks access to the beach
- dogs allowed (restrictions apply 1st June – 15th Sept)
- horse riding (restrictions apply May 1 – September 30, permitted before 11am and after 7pm)
- seasonal RNLI Beach Lifeguards Service (July & August 11 am-7pm daily)
- disabled toilets and disabled parking
- Toilets and parking are available, and dogs are allowed at certain times of the year.
The Promenade offers cycling and walking opportunities with fantastic views in every direction.
Walk to the end of the beach, away from the town, to explore the small bays and rock pools. It’s fun for the children. Take a ball with you for a spot of beach kick-around!
Castlerock Beach is a lovely place for some time, one of our favourite walk-and-play beaches along the Causeway Coast. It is West of the River Bann Estuary, with Portstewart Strand on the other side.
Meander to the beach using the stairs and paths from the Promenade or a walk down Sea Road; there is disabled access from several locations along the shoreline and plenty of parking.
Castlerock Golf Course Course
If you’re a golfer, the Castlerock beach is ideally situated behind the beach, the dunes and heathland. The Golf Course provides a peaceful haven in this naturally beautiful landscape. It offers 18 holes on the Mussenden Course and 9 on the Bann Course. The experience of golfing at Castlerock is one you will never forget.
The friendly people and breathtaking views are all excellent reasons to visit Castlerock, not to mention the absolutely fresh air!
