Bar Hall Bay

Bar Hall Bay curves around the coast near Downpatrick like a crescent moon, and on a clear day it's the kind of place that makes you understand why people stay put in Northern Ireland rather than chasing somewhere else. The bay itself is modest - a strip of shingle beach backed by low cliffs and rough grass - but there's something properly restorative about standing here watching the Irish Sea do its thing. You won't find fairground attractions or ice cream vans. What you get instead is space, air, and the occasional seal poking its head up if you're lucky.

Walkers come here regularly. The coastal path is straightforward and reveals the bay from different angles depending which direction you approach from. An hour's amble will see you covering the main stretch without rushing. Families with young kids will find it peaceful rather than thrilling - there's no facilities to speak of, so pack a flask and settle in if you want to linger. History types might appreciate the older fortifications visible along the shoreline, remnants of naval activity from centuries back.

Staying at Castle Ward Caravan Park, just 2.7 miles inland, gives you quick access to this stretch of coast. The bay works brilliantly as part of a broader coastal route rather than a standalone destination - combine it with nearby Downpatrick's cathedral and the quieter beaches dotting this corner of County Down. Go when the light's decent and the wind isn't biting sideways. Low tide reveals more beach, but high tide has its own drama.