‘It's been a long time coming': Residents delighted as Portstewart beach named best in UK

Belfast Telegraph

07-07-2025

For many in Portstewart, both residents and those visiting, the news that the local beach was named the best in the UK come as 'no surprise at all'.
Though the weather was not ideal, with bracing gusts and overcast grey skies, many still came to walk along the broad idyllic sands of Portstewart beach.
The threat of rain this afternoon, didn't stop the occasional daring sea swimmer from running down the beach and taking the icy plunge.
Large sodden and sandy dogs sniffed at other walkers while their owners followed after them, bundled up in their bright rain coats. Others simply walked along the picturesque coastline, as the foamy white waves raged and crashed beside them.
In the distance, in the lead up to the Open in the neighbouring Portrush, golfers played on sand-coated grassy plains.
Strolling along the flat, hard sand near the mouth of the Atlantic, avoiding the occasional washed-up jellyfish, it is little wonder why it was recently named the UK's best beach.
The title was awarded to the Co Londonderry beach as part of the Sunday Times' best beaches list. It is, in fact, one of five Northern Irish coastlines to be named in the list.
Listing 50 beaches from across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Times' chief travel writer, Chris Haslam added Cushendall, Ballycastle, Ballintoy and Runkerry in the annual Sunday Times guide.
Each beach, including the two-mile-long strand, was judged on 11 points. The checklist included cleanliness, water quality, accessibility and dog-friendliness.
Frequently hailed as the jewel of the north coast, Portstewart's crowning comes as no surprise to both visitors and locals.
Coming from Scotland to visit family in Northern Ireland was Stephen and Ruaraidh Berry.
'This is our first time on Portstewart beach, I definitely believe it when I see it, it's a beautiful walk along the beach,' Stephen said.
'It's well-kept and clean, and the fact you can park your car on it too is handy, you can't do that in Scotland.'
'I am definitely not surprised to hear that it is the best beach, it's a bracing walk too.'
Taking their two dogs for a walk along the coast were Edith McKeever and Elaine Mullan, who also weren't surprised to hear the news.
'I am not surprised at all, I have been to many lovely beaches, and this one is really lovely, it is well kept as well,' said Edith.
'It is definitely gorgeous, I thought all beaches were like this, with all the sand, but that isn't the case,' added Elaine.
'I am on the beach every morning to walk the dogs. They keep it very clean and people always pick up after their dogs.
'The people around here definitely make it a dog-friendly beach, it's nice and big for the dogs too.'
Coming to Portstewart beach for over 60 years is Gail Butler.
'I think it has been a long time coming for Portstewart beach,' said Gail.
'We have enjoyed this beach for a while now, over 60 years.
'The improvements made to Harry's Shack have definitely helped it too. I am not so keen that there are so many dogs, given that I have young grandchildren.'
In the nearby Anchor Bar, a popular watering hole for students and locals alike, Marketing Manager Luke McIlreavy, believes it will mean good business for the bar.
'I think that [Portstewart being named as the best beach] is certainly right,' said Luke.
'It is well due as one of the best beaches, it is well looked after by the National Trust as well.
'Basically, it is a great beach, I think that a lot of our guests and the residents of Portstewart, they do tend to go to the strand in the morning, it is a lovely beach.
'They would typically walk down to the beach, especially during the summer. It is a beautiful spot.
'I hope that the new title will impact business positively. Fingers crossed. We do have a lot of American tourists during the summer.
'It has been a popular beach, certainly one of our most popular.'
With the expansive strand in view from Portstewart town, Lindsay Bell believes the accolade is 'well deserved'.
'I am from the countryside myself, but Portstewart is always a place where we would go,' said Lindsay.
'It's well overdue for being named as one of the best beaches, here, we do have some of the best beaches in the world.'
Carolyn Green Lindsay's opinion.
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'It's great for kids, picnics as well as surfing and swimming,' said Carolyn.
'It must have been overlooked in the past. There are just so many great beaches in Ireland as a whole.
'It's part of the reason why I moved here.'