Downhill Strand Beach (Magilligan Point)
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
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Downhill Strand Beach Reviews
An ornithological gem
James Kirkpatrick
Jul 21st 2023Super 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 2022One of the best beaches ever ❤️
A place of deep joy
Janis
Jul 18th 2022Nice 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.