Cranfield Beach

Very busy wee beach. There is some carparking for day trippers, but this is limited. If it is to be a good day, arrive early.

Some toilet facilities, an ice cream van and a couple of snack vans are the height of the added extras, but this is all part of the charm. There is nothing distracting from a day with the family.

If this beach gets too busy or you can't get parked, there is another little hidden gem of a beach just at the Carlingford ferry terminal at Greencastle.

Arrived early and set up camp near the water and between the RNLI flags. Great quiet family beach. No rowdies about. All young families happily pottering about and lovely to see everybody being particular to dispose of litter properly which is a big bugbear of mine. Very good proximity to toilets, donut and coffee van which seemed very clean. Friendly people about and we had a yummy sausage and chips from the caravan park chip van before we left. At one hour 10 mins from home and avoiding the crazy North West. This is now our new favourite. Well done Cranfield.

This beach is a very good beach but can be overcrowded at times of good weather. If you don't want to be at a crowded beach there is a few more good ones down the coast. e.g. Nickleson Strands

I read some of the positive reviews and was looking forward to my first visit to Cranfield. However my wife and I were extremely disappointed. The beach was coverd in thick seaweed and large stones, there were certainly no "beautiful golden sands" as described in some of the reviews. We also ended up driving down a lane with huge potholes which a luner buggy would have had difficulty in negotiating. I have never seen so many caravans crammed together in all my life, I think it should be renamed "Cramfield". We also could not find anywhere to have lunch so we ended up travelling back to Kilkeel and had a lovely lunch in the Kilmory Arms. Sorry to have to write such a negative review, but Cranfield was such a disappointment

Nice quite time at the beach. Free parking available.

This is a lovely beach with great parking. It has toilets on site for your convenience. It has fantastic views and is a great walk. Dogs are allowed at certain times of the year.

I've been coming to Cranfield since I was a child. It is an honest,no frills breach where families,couples and retirees share the simple splendour of a well maintained beach. There can be jellyfish and crabs so don't expect nature to exit just for you. You can talk a long walk on the beach or combine it with a loop walk along the windy county lanes that link to the beach. The beautiful scenery was recently captured when the TV series, 'The Fall' filmed here. They pretended it was Scotland but it was actually Cranfield.
There are few places families can come and feel safe,this is one such unspoilt place where multiple caravans,chip vans and ice cream vans take you back to a bygone period. Simple,authentic and should be visited by all from Northern Ireland and visitors too.
A previous reviewer complained that there are no public facilities in winter. That is true,the season runs from March to September but then Irish winters can be bleak so I don't imagine too many would want to visit off season and if you do,wrap up warm!

Cranfield beach is a lovely beach in both summer and winter. Although the beach has a lot of stones its still possible when the tide is out to walk along the beach to greencastle. The Views from the beach are beautiful. You can see greenore in the distance . Its best to take a picnic if spending the day and a windbreaker as theres always a breeze.If the kids are going into the water you will need to watch out for jellyfish. At weekends cranfield is always busy with lots of jet skis .
I would advise going mid week when its much quieter although my favourite time to go is early on Sunday morning.
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There is a car park,toilets,picnic benches and in high season the is usually an ice cream van. There is a caravan park and campsite adjacent to cranfield with onsite shop.
A great day out

fabulous for kids and very well run, always a lifeguard so very safe, great sandy beach and worth even a day trip for picnic

good day out all year round couldent beat it with a big stick