Portrush Countryside Centre

This is a nice place to visit on a rainy day to entertain children and educate them about life in the marine environment. There are lots of displays and live tanks, and for those of a certain vintage who can remember Portrush from many decades ago, there are many photographs of holidaymakers in the 50's and 60's.
Definately a place for all ages.

We visited the Coastal Zone in Portrush. My favourite thing was a ray, a beautiful creature, absolutely fascinating. I'd never seen a fish like it. It was not from some exotic ocean, it was a local species. You watch it, and it turns around and seems to smile at you.
The museum also has a big display of stuffed sea birds. There are video screens and displays in the museum. There are collections of sea shells and more. The ray was enchanting, and I could not take my eyes off it!
The opening hours have been cut down, so do make sure you get to visit this star attraction! Free entry.

Fantastic place & FREE. Video of the sea floor inhabitants & plants. Cool fish tanks & rock pool. Old historic photographs of portrush & local area. Area for kids to color in or read books, nice displays & very helpful staff.

Definately worth a visit, we had 3 family generations who thought it was very interesting.

The Best place to go before you go and explore the sea shore if you've never been before. The Staff are extremely knowledgable and very friendly and allow you to handle some of their sea creatures e.g sea cucumber,clams and starfish all on different days I may add. A small area for young children to colour in free pictures of sealife and a separate room where there is a large screen and a seated area to watch whatever happens to be screening that day e.g David Attenborough . Entry is free ,what more could you want .

What else is their to say. Oh! They call it "The Portrush Coastal Zone" now. If you like stuffed birds, whale bones and simple minded, moralistic environmentalism then this is the place for you. As we all know, Portrush is a wet place, this is a good, free place to take the children when it's wet. Not exciting but remember the word "free!".

Great centre for families, Educational with very informative staff if you want to be shown around, my kids love the rock pool & the big tank of rays. Great way to spend a few hours in portrush & it's free

The countryside centre has been a staple for my family for years. The kids love visiting here as there is colouring pages and activities, a touch tank and lots of information on local sea life.

This was done on a cold winter morning with the wind rushing towards the shoreline and a about daybreak sky. It presents a mystical feeling with the waves rushing towards the rocks

Attended a wedding here and was very impressed. The view and location are unrivaled and staff are very helpful and professional. Once danced here many many years before so was very interesting to return, very different now!! Small coffee shop on ground floor and tables outside for those sunny days. Home made bites and super coffee, highly recommended

This place is interesting, full of Aquarians , a large rock pool all full of local fish etc. You can also take in the local views