The North Coast has a fantastic array of activities and attractions to offer – golf, surfing, fishing, walking, cycling, fine dining or whatever you want!

A fabulous outdoor playground, the North Coast really has something for everyone.  All you have to do is choose!

You will also discover some of the best cuisine to be found anywhere – the North Coast is packed with fantastic restaurants and bistros using fresh, local produce in a diverse range of culinary styles, providing a quality of food and service that is second to none.

Summer – a time to enjoy simply being outside again.

Walking is a wonderful way to appreciate the surroundings of the North Coast.  Whether you enjoy a gentle stroll along the promenade, a brisk walk along one of the award-winning beaches or if you prefer to follow a marked route, the great beauty of walking is that you go at your own pace.  Start when you want, rest when you want, finish when you want – and it’s free!  Take the time to look around and admire the differing views; from the wild, romantic coastlines to the statuesque trees and beautiful flora in the forest and woodland paths – just enjoy being at one with nature.

For the golfer, the North Coast is a paradise.  Home to some of the world’s finest golf courses as well as magnificent little gems, the North Coast is stunning natural golfing country, with some of the most spectacular surroundings you will find anywhere.  From the championship Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush to the testing nine-hole course at Bushfoot, there is a fantastic choice of courses to play, providing a challenge to players of all abilities.

With the choice of Game, Coarse or Sea Angling, the North Coast is without doubt a fantastic destination for anglers of all levels.

Game Angling – the local Rivers Bush, (Lower) Bann and Agivey are excellent sources of salmon, sea trout, brown and rainbow trout – indeed the Bann itself is renowned as one of the best salmon rivers in Europe.  The Game Fishing season runs from 1^st March to 31^st October.

Coarse Angling – two-thirds of all specimen coarse fish in Ireland are produced by the Lower Bann and popular stretches to seek out perch, pike, bream, eel and roach can be found at Portna and Movanagher.

Sea Angling – whether angling from a boat out at sea, rock or beach fishing, the waters around Portrush and the North Coast are rich in fish and provide ideal sport whatever your preference.  Boats are available from Portrush and Portstewart Harbours.

The surf on the North Coast is widely reported to be some of the best in the world.  Beaches offering surfing conditions to suit beginners through to advanced levels can be found all along the North Coast.  Beginners?  Learn to surf with one of the qualified Surf Schools in the area.  Experienced?  Simply enjoy!

The North Coast is a fantastic area for all water sports.  The North Coast Water Sports Centre in Portrush caters for a wide range of sea and coastal related activities including surfing, body boarding, sea kayaking, surf kayaking, wind surfing, sub aqua and sea angling.

Remember, the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine also runs events throughout the year.  The Causeway Speciality Market takes place in Coleraine Town Centre on the second Saturday of every month.

For detailed up-to-date event listings visit our website at: www.northcoastni.com.

A great choice of quality accommodation, fabulous nightlife and the warmest of welcomes – what you can expect on a short break to the North Coast.

The Lower Bann Cycleway is a 45 mile linear cycle route between Toome and Castlerock, following the National Cycle Network Routes 96 and 93. The scenic route follows the Lower River Bann corridor from Lough Neagh to where the river enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Barmouth near Castlerock. The low-lying landscape of this river corridor provides a gentle cycle, leaving cyclists to enjoy the route at their leisure and take in the scenery of the Lower Bann.

Other cycling opportunities include two signed cycle routes around Garvagh – part of a network of routes throughout the Sperrins. The “Eagle’s Glen Cycle Route” (approx. 15 miles) explores the historic Errigal landscape. Centred on the picturesque Glenullin Valley, it provides cyclists with superb views of the northern Sperrins.

The “Bann Valley Cycle Route” (approx. 15 miles), linking Garvagh and Kilrea, enables cyclists to enjoy the quiet country roads traversing the fertile landscape of the Bann Valley, with views of the Bann corridor and beyond towards the Antrim Hills. The busy rural market towns of Garvagh and Kilrea offer opportunities to explore local heritage and culture and enjoy traditional hospitality.

Whether you choose to experience the thrill of the white-knuckle rides, splash through the Atlantic breakers, explore natural habitats amongst the rock pools or enjoy award-winning ice cream – for young and old there is something to please everyone. With an action packed programme of events and a host of activities for all the family, the North Coast offers all the ingredients for a great holiday.

Northern Ireland’s premier seaside resort Portrush, is the ideal base for a family holiday. Come rain or shine, Portrush provides the essential fun factor, while the pretty neighbouring town of Portstewart, famed for it’s traditional promenade and beautiful views, overlooks a wonderful two mile stretch of golden sand.

You can also enjoy good food, colourful crafts and art galleries and a variety of leisure activities. Portstewart Crescent has recently been refurbished and visitors can now enjoy a spectacular fountain, the first of its kind in Europe, with multi-coloured lights, musical displays and jets reaching heights of up to 4 metres. The newly designed café incorporates an outdoor covered seating and viewing area, which overlooks the fountain and other facilities including children’s play areas, paddling pool, boating lake, motorized cars and bandstand.

Wonders of the Sea

The hidden treasures of our beautiful sandy beaches and dunes are waiting to be discovered. Natural marine material on the North Coast can contain many interesting specimens such as barnacles, whelks, sea urchins, star fish and even a ‘mermaid’s purse’. From time to time beach visitors get an opportunity to encounter some spectacular marine wildlife ranging from seals and birds to whales and dolphins. Watch out for small porpoises or seals feeding in the estuary at the Barmouth.
You’ll discover fantastic beaches, great family bistros and restaurants, specialist shopping, a wide range of attractions and a packed programme of organised entertainment for all ages to enjoy. Complemented by the spectacular scenery, it’s easy to see why the North Coast is the perfect destination for a family holiday.

However throughout the whole area both links and parkland courses offer interesting challenges for all levels of golfing. Visitors are welcome by appointment at Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock.

Smaller, 9 hole courses that also welcome visitors include the Brown Trout (Aghadowey), Kilrea, Bushfoot (Portballintrae) and the cliff top located Ballyreagh, which also has a pitch and putt facility.

Both Mussenden Temple (an attractive 18th century, Neo classical, folly) and the ruins of Dunluce Castle, dating to the early 16th century, are found on the edge of dramatic cliff tops over-looking the Atlantic ocean, which over centuries brought many of Ireland’s invaders and visitors. The town of Coleraine itself is the oldest plantation town in Ulster and the remains of Ireland’s earliest human settlement at Mountsandel (dating to pre-7000 BC) provide an insight into early Irish History.

Coleraine is steeped in history – over 9000 years of it! Excavations at Mountsandel during the 1970s would suggest that it is the earliest known settlement site in Ireland. Evidence was uncovered of a Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) settlement dated 7700-7400BC and this discovery dramatically revised our understanding of prehistoric life. Visitors to Mountsandel Wood today can enjoy a circular walk within the woodland which is interspersed with interpretative panels highlighting the history and biodiversity of the site. There is a commanding view from the summit of the fort which is thought to date to the Anglo-Norman period.

Across the River Bann in Somerset Park ‘Source’ – a magnificent piece of public art – interprets 10,000 years of human settlement in Ireland and symbolises this passage of time through its form.

To find out more about the town’s rich history and culture be sure to pick up a copy of “Round the Ramparts” from the tourist information centre. This beautifully illustrated heritage walking guide, which is peppered with little anecdotes recorded by local people, allows you to explore the historic side of Coleraine at your own pace.

Whilst the warmer summer months attract many bathers to our shores, the autumn and winter period is prime time for surfers and the North Atlantic Ocean provides consistent quality swell and conditions particularly off Portrush’s East Strand and Whiterocks Beach. If you’re not already a water sports enthusiast, visit the North Coast soon and allow us to convince you! A list of activity providers, surf schools and lots more can be found on www.northcoastni.com

Since opening in summer 2007, this dedicated water sports facility at East Strand, Portrush has hosted a number of popular surf and ocean kayak events. The centre offers the public, clubs and groups year round access to high quality facilities in order to enjoy a wide range of sea and coastal related activities. Groups and individuals can use the Water Sports Centre as a base for changing and storing belongings as well as running workshops and educational courses. Activities popular at East Strand include surfing, body boarding, sea kayaking, surf kayaking, wind surfing, sub aqua and sea angling.

Facilities at North Coast Water Sports Centre

• Beach safety / lifeguard station
• Surf Retail Outlet (Seasonal Opening)
• First aid room
• Training room
• External changing facility
• Club/group male and female changing and showering facilities
• Leader/coach changing facilities
• Male/female and disabled public toilets
• Heated shower cubicles, controlled by purchasable Access Cards

Access Cards

Access Cards Priced at £6 / 4 showers or £10 / 10 showers are purchasable from Troggs Surf Shop at the Water Sports Centre or from Portrush Filling Station (Maxol) on the Bushmills Road. (Prices include a £3 deposit, refundable on card return).

Group Bookings

For use of internal changing facilities and training room please contact Coleraine Borough Council’s Leisure Services Department.

T: 028 7034 7234 E: leisure@colerainebc.gov.uk
Surf Report: Tel: 0906 7122010 (charges apply)

Watersports Events

Portrush Open Surf Championship

East Strand, Portrush (10-11 April 2010)

Riverfest

Christie Park, Coleraine (3-4 Jul 2010)

UK Pro Surf Tour

East Strand/ Whiterocks, Portrush (Oct) TBC

Many walkers favour the sheltered inland walks, which by no means are mountainous but yet provide good exercise and a fair degree of challenge. Examples include the Drumbane Trail and the Errigal Glen Trail at Glenullin, west of Garvagh.

Long distance walkers have the opportunity to follow the revamped Ulster Way, incorporating the Causeway Coast Way and the North Sperrins Way.

The Causeway Coast Way follows a waymarked route along the coast between Portstewart and Ballycastle. It passes through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site and several Areas of Special Scientific Interest. The 52km route offers opportunity for enjoyment to walkers of varied abilities and passes through magnificent coastline scenery.

The North Sperrins Way, connecting Dungiven and Castlerock, provides a contrasting walking experience to the coastal trails. The route traverses higher ground forming the northern foothills of the Sperrins Mountains, passing notable landscape features including Benbradagh and Binevenagh, and affording excellent views over Lough Foyle towards Donegal. Walking this route is a great way to enjoy the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Guided walks take place throughout the summer months and are usually themed on points of historical and environmental interest.

Check www.northcoastni.com for dates of scheduled walks. The annual Glenullin Walking Festival in June includes hill and low level walks, combined with history and music.

For further information about walking in the area contact the Tourist Information offices.

‘Strands’ is a good food collective of local restaurants who take great pride in providing a top quality dining experience.  They work together to promote and develop the highest standards of food preparation and service and aim to provide their customers with the finest ingredients using fresh, local produce.  Visit our website for further details on great food, first class service and warm, friendly atmospheres!