Northern Ireland's four best beaches according to The Sunday Times - Belfast Live

Northern Ireland's four best beaches according to The Sunday Times have been revealed.

The annual Times and Sunday Times best beaches guide is the definitive and most comprehensive list of the UK's 50 best beaches. The 2024 guide is the 16th edition, and only features beaches rated as "excellent" for water quality by the national government agencies.

The beach at Ballycastle in Co Antrim has been named as Northern Ireland's beach of the year by the award-winning chief travel writer at The Times and Sunday Times, Chris Haslam.

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In his description of Ballycastle, Chris said: "Ballycastle feels like a made-up resort. There’s a river running across a beach of flat sands; the best chippy on the coast (Morton’s on the harbour); kayaking; guided wild swimming; boat trips to Rathlin Island just offshore; and a new high-speed passenger ferry service to Islay and Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, which is visible from the beach."

Chris Haslam has personally visited and inspected all 50 beaches included in the guide over the past eight weeks. The guide showcases the unrivalled beauty of the UK seaside, evaluated through a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist.

Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness. The guide only covers mainland beaches.

The four best beaches in Northern Ireland according to The Sunday Times:

• NORTHERN IRELAND’S BEACH OF THE YEAR: Ballycastle, Co Antrim

• White Park Bay, Co Antrim

• Benone, Co Londonderry

• Murlough, Co Down

Chris Haslam said: "My Jack Russell, Dave T Dog, and I have journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches. The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there.

"I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the most magnificent on earth.”

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2024-07-15 07:00:00Z
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