Murlough National Nature Reserve

Wonderful location and in close proximity to Newcastle town centre.

Parking is available within the national heritage location for £5 pounds or if available, free parking via the council free parking on the opposite side of the road “ Point of note! The free car park fills up quickly in the summer months, so get there early.

Over all experiences is one of tranquility and highly recommended non expensive day out. Spend a few enjoying the views, as you stroll to the beach with a 4* meal at the sleeve Donard hotel and spa for the perfect end to the day.

I guarantee, you’ll sleep like a baby by the evening.

Lovely day exploring Sand dunes in the sun. So much wildlife, lots of birds, we caught crickets and so many different flowers around. The beach is easily accessible as the board walks are great and signage gives distances. We paid the 5£ for parking and found the place to be clean and tidy with hand sanitizer everywhere and staff wearing masks. We felt safe. Beach also had life guards and loads of space. I would bring a field guide to flowers if you wanted to know what all the plants were.

The National Trust look after this special area of preserved sand dunes but allow the public access to the dunes.
In order to keep people on the same path and prevent new paths being created through the dunes there are a number of boardwalks. These work reasonably well allowing a host of wildlife to flourish alongside.
The dunes habitat is a very delicate environment full of nesting birds and a varied fauna, and a floral habitat illustrating different stages of succession from seashore to terrestrial.
At holiday periods the car parking area and the back of the dunes can get rather full so early arrival is best. There is a small shop selling snacks and a small toilet block.

Even though we visited on a drizzly windy day we could see what a beautiful place this is.

We took the braodwalk which goes almost to the beach making it easier to get to the beach than many sand-dune places. We went down to the sea and walked more through the dunes. Very beautiful and I sure would be even better on a nice day.

There is a large car park, free for NT members and a small cafe and toilets. The beach has life guards on duty.

This place is lovely. It offers beach, dunes and water's-edge, with a range of good walks. The beach is mostly quite stony but is extensive. I am not trying to suggest this beach is worse than others in Britain but the beach litter is a shame. Lifeguards are present in the main summer season

Parking is available in a National Trust carpark (free to members) but it looks like alternative free on-street parking is available a little further east.

Clearly get very busy at times.

Well worth buying National Trust membership for the amount of things to see and do in Northern Ireland.
Castle Ward, Mount Stewart and Rowallane Gardens are also in the vicinity. Not to mention Giant's Causeway which is a must-see.
In the two weeks there, we visited Murlough NNR twice (excellent for dog walking, but beware of cattle grazing in the dunes).
No toilet facilities unfortunately - however Newcastle is 5 mins away with plenty of cafes.

You could walk around Murlough National Nature Reseve for hours on end and enjoy every minute of it. Great walks amonst the sand dunes or even on the sandy rocky beaches at Murlough National Nature Reserve and if you don't want to walk then kick back bring the beach towels and sun lotion and soak in the rays for an afternoon. These places are the reason we love to call Northern Ireland our home.

From the car park we took the right hand boardwalk to the beach then followed the shoreline right round the peninsular and back inland to the road bridge. It was high tide and very wet, but was just manageable . The sea walk was spectacular, as the big waves crashed in. Seals basked on the opposite shore, oblivious to the sound of gunfire from the military firing range. A stunning 2hr circular walk despite the heavy rain on the way back!

Visited Murlough Beach for the first time today. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Parked at the Nature Reserve and walked to Newcastle and back. Beach immaculately clean, lots of birds and wildlife about. Had a coffee outside at the cafe before heading home. Will definitely be back

Cold winter morning this was a pleasant walk. Walked in from the main road. Few cars to avoid on the way. Many different routes to suit your ability.
Wish dog owners would clean up after their pets. Paths well marked and suitable for all.