Downhill Strand Beach (Magilligan Point)

  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Kenneth Allen and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Kenneth Allen and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Kenneth Allen and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Rossographer and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Kenneth Allen and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand Beach - County Londonderry
    © Albert Bridge and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Downhill Strand beach forms the eastern end of a magnificent 7 mile (11km) stretch of sand and surf centred on the town of Castlerock. The beach at Downhill runs from just west of Castlerock to Magilligan Point.

    This is some of the most scenic coastline in Northern Ireland and there are fantastic views along the cliffs that back the beach. At points along the length of the beach there are sand dunes and even a waterfall. However, the most iconic feature is the Mussenden Temple which sits precariously close to the edge of the high cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

    Downhill is both an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

    Recently the beach at Downhill was used as a location for Dragonstone in the Game of Thrones. This is where the where the Seven Idols of Westeros were burned.

    Also known as:

    Magilligan Point

    Type of beach

    Sandy

    Lifeguard service

    Yes

    Dogs friendly beach?

    Dogs allowed

    Dogs allowed.

    County Londonderry dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Donkey rides
    • Good fishing
    • Swimming/bathing
    • Surfing
    • Wind surfing

    Facilities

    • Cafe/restaurant
    • Toilets
    • First aid point
    • Shop

    Nearest town

    Castlerock

    OS grid ref.

    NV 8963 9683

    Parking

    Parking available

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

    Awards

    Blue Flag AwardMarine Conservation Society Recommended

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    Downhill Strand Beach Reviews

    An ornithological gem

    James Kirkpatrick
    Jul 21st 2023

    Super beach for bird-watching, especially gannets, terns and oystercatchers, when the waves are high. On the cliffs below Mussenden Temple dozens of kittiwakes can be seen in the nesting season.

    ❤️

    Edyta
    Aug 14th 2022

    One of the best beaches ever ❤️

    A place of deep joy

    Janis
    Jul 18th 2022

    Nice to go to when it’s quiet, the weekend it’s packed any sun and it’s car to car packed, I’ve never seen it so choco block and I live here. The cars vans lorrys and motorcycles just fly by like its a race course, we had 3 accidents in one week of people ramming into things. The car park is hard to get out of with all the vehicles flying by. But this place is the place of dreams, I dreamt off living here since I was younger. Its truely majestic.