Explore Derry Beaches and Coast

Derry, or Londonderry as it's sometimes known, sits astride the river Foyle and dates back to the 6th Century.

Now it is a modern and busy centre frequented by travellers from all over the world. It is popular as it's a completely walled city and the only of its kind in the United Kingdom.

With over 1450 years of history to draw upon this city has you marvelling at how it survived the Siege of Derry and the Famine, WWI and the Easter Rising, Bloody Sunday and the Civil Rights Marches. From this damaging and bloody past a vibrant and joyful city has risen and occasions are marked by festivals and other events throughout the year that attract tourism and business alike.

Take the Heritage trail and find Cathedrals and Churches, villages, murals and monuments that will reveal parts of this rich tapestry including the landing of Amelia Earhart as she flew solo in 1932!

The county offers lush countryside and superb beaches so walking and bird and wildlife spotting is easy especially near Springwell or Ness Wood Country Park.

Beech Hill Country House is worth exploring too. It's where the Clintons stayed on visits to the country and is set in over 30 acres of stunning nature just outside the city! A perfect spot for afternoon tea.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 5 beaches in Derry. You can even take a look at our list of Derry dog friendly beaches or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

Derry Coast Map

Derry Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, and places to stay and eat:

Things to see and do

Springhill

Springhill, a pretty 17th-century ‘Plantation’ home with a collection of costumes, from the 18th century to 1930s. Read more…
Portstewart-Strand-beach

Portstewart Strand Beach

The Strand at Portstewart is a large sandy beach backed by a sand dune system that reaches heights of up to 30 metres (100ft). Neolithic pottery and implements have also been found within the sand dunes, along with bronze pins and Roman jewellery, revealing a long history of human habitation. The Strand protects the mouth of the River Bann that Read more…
Magilligan-Point-beach

Magilligan Point Beach

Magilligan Point is the tip of one of the largest (7 miles) sand dune systems in the British Isles. The coastline constantly changes with winter storms and this is one of the main reasons the site has been declared a nature reserve. Magilligan Point guards the mouth of Lough Foyle and is home to Lough Foyle Ferry and Martello Tower. Read more…
Downhill-beach

Downhill Beach

Downhill beach offers visitors a long stretch of sandy beach with great surf making it an ideal spot for water sports and long walks with the dog or just a spot of sunbathing in the warmer months. Downhill beach offers a wonderful way to enjoy the natural beauty of this area of UK coastline with scenic walks and areas of Read more…
History and heritage

Banagher Old Church

Banagher Church sits on a sandy ridge by the River Owenreagh, the ruins are of a small square building with sharply pointed gables which once supported the stone roof. Beside the remains of the church is the hole from which sand called ‘Banagher sand’ is drawn, long believed to give good luck to race horses when thrown over them. Read more…
Magilligan-beach

Magilligan Beach

Magilligan Beach (Benone Strand) is located on the North West corner of Northern Ireland and stretches for 7 miles from Downhill to Magilligan Point. Magilligan foreland is Ireland’s largest coastal accumulation comprising some 32 square km of marine and wind-blown sand deposits. Facilities include car parking, shops, cafe/restaurant. Read more…
Things to see and do

Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne

Stunning Mussenden Temple, perched upon a precipitous cliff edge in a dramatic coastal setting. Cliff-top and garden walks with breathtaking views. Striking 18th-century ruins to explore. Read more…
Castlerock-beach

Castlerock Beach

Castlerock beach is a mile of sandy beach backed by grass covered dunes that runs west-wards from the mouth of the River Bann. Facilities include car parking, seasonal lifeguards, toilets and an open-air heated swimming pool by the beach. Read more…
Hezlett House

Hezlett House

Hezlett House, 17th-century thatched cottage and garden which was built in 1691 but bought by Isaac Hazlett in 1776. The cottage has an interesting cruck-truss roof construction. One of only a few buildings in Northern Ireland to survive from before the 18th century, furnished in late-Victorian style. Read more…
Things to see and do

Derry City Walls

The Derry City Walls are about 1 mile in circumference with the entire length accessible on foot. The wall has seven gates, four of which were built at the same time as the walls themselves and three were added in later years. The fact that the city’s walls have never been breached gave rise to one of its nicknames; the Read more…
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