Downhill Beach

Blue Flag Awarded Downhill Beach 11km stretch of sand and surf offering a wealth of activities including water sports, scenic walks and tourist type facilities. It's on the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail and you get into the other action with the TK SurfSchool. Downhill Beach is patrolled, in season, by RNLI lifeguards.

Naturally you'll need to pre arrange lessons or hire equipment with the surf school, but the kayak trail is open to competent kayak owners so if you're all vested up and know what you're doing last one in is a rotten egg!

Downhill is an area of scientific interest and is also a special area of conservation offering opportunities for nature walks and sightings of bird life amongst a stunning backdrop of cascading waterfalls, towering sand dunes and one of the most photographed buildings in Northern Ireland: the prominent Mussenden Temple! The temple offers breathtaking views of the North Coast to Counties Donegal, Antrim and Londonderry and a set of dramatic 18th century ruins is waiting to be explored!

With smalls then you'll want a pretty full kit bag to help keep them entertained in the absence of the usual rides etc., so be sure to have buckets, spades, kites, frisbees or whatever else you like to play with on hand! There are few things on the promenade however especially during the main summer season so be sure to take their pocket money along for the temptations that abound. Or else it's coming our of your pocket like usual!