Murlough Beach

Three miles of golden sand backed by proper dunes - that's Murlough Beach, and it's one of those rare stretches of Northern Irish coastline that actually feels wild. The beach itself is the draw: wide, clean, and backed by a National Nature Reserve that's home to natterjack toads and rare plants you won't see anywhere else. Walkers absolutely love it here. The dune system is genuinely special, and if you're into that sort of thing, you'll spend hours picking your way through the marram grass and spotting whatever wildlife decides to show itself.

It's free to access and there's no faffing about with admission fees. Parking's straightforward near Newcastle, which is just down the coast - a proper seaside town with cafes and fish and chips if you need refuelling. Allow a good two to three hours if you're doing a proper walk through the dunes rather than just a quick paddle. Families with younger kids might find an hour enough before they get restless; teenagers and actual walkers will get more out of it.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Mourneview and Murlough Cottage are basically on your doorstep - you could easily walk here rather than drive. The beach works brilliantly as part of a Mourne Mountains holiday. Pair it with Tollymore Forest Park for hiking if the weather's decent, or use it as a wind-down spot after a day in the hills. Fair warning though: it can get properly blustery, and the tide moves fast, so check before you go.