Castlerock is a small seaside village around 5 miles west of Coleraine, at the mouth of the River Bann and the western edge of the Causeway Coast route. Fewer than 1,500 people live here, within the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — but the beach, golf course, and surrounding countryside pull in far more visitors than that in season.
The beach
Castlerock’s beach holds Blue Flag status for 2026 — certified bathing water, maintained facilities, and seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover. It runs just under a mile between the Downhill sea cliffs and the Barmouth (the Lower Bann estuary). Free parking and toilets are available, dogs are permitted outside peak-season restrictions, and the beach suits swimming, canoeing, surfing, and rock-pooling alike.
Heritage
A heritage walking trail through the village takes in late-19th-century buildings: the Villas (1860), the Presbyterian Church (1880), Castlerock Railway Station (1853), the Twelve Apostles terrace (1882), and Christ Church (1882). The row of houses known as the Twelve Apostles sits above the beach — small originally, several have since been extended at the back to make the most of the location.
Getting there
Castlerock has its own railway station on the Belfast–Derry line, giving a direct train link to both Coleraine and Londonderry — a straightforward way to reach the village without a car.