National Trust - Portstewart Strand

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National Trust - Portstewart Strand

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More than just a beach...

We’re a charity looking after nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. It helps
us to learn and grow.
(1911)

Portstewart Strand has a long history of welcoming visitors to its golden sands and superb dune system. It is an important nature conservation site and is officially designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. The magnificent two-mile strand of glistening golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest and most popular beaches with all ages. it is the perfect spot to spend lazy summer days and take long walks into the sand dunes, which are a haven for wild flowers and butterflies. EXPLORE:

- Explore the sand dunes and waymarked nature trail;
- Many species of butterflies and moths, and colourful wild flowers;
- Visit the newly restored Grangemore birdhide for fantastic birdwatching;
- Enjoy lazy summer days, family picnics and sandcastles.

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House Rules:
We want our page to be a place where people can share how
they feel about the National Trust and talk about their experiences in a fun
environment. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. These house rules aim to ensure everyone can enjoy
themselves while they’re here. We ask you to be nice and polite to one another – you almost always are!
- and respect each other’s views and comments. We ask all users to ensure
your contributions are civil, polite, tasteful and suitable for all ages. We won’t
tolerate disruptive, offensive or abusive behaviour, unlawful or objectionable
content. This includes any material which might be defamatory, offensive,
infringing, obscene, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting,
Social Media Guidelines 14
threatening, harassing, discriminatory, blasphemous, indecent or otherwise
unlawful or objectionable. It also includes any material which is aggressive,
argumentative or likely to be construed as bullying. No spamming or
repetition, please, nor off-topic material in subject-specific threads or areas. Moderation policy
In general, we don’t moderate posts – except on the rare occasion that
someone has used offensive language or made libellous allegations about
named or identifiable individuals on our page. We have a duty to protect our
staff and volunteers, so while deleting comments is totally out of character
for us, our legal position is that any post containing a libellous accusations,
should be removed. If an individual continues to post offensive, threatening or
libellous content then we’ll be forced to block that person from the page. We
won’t tolerate postings, content, or links that are racist, sexist or homophobic. We also don’t permit linking to or posting any content which endorses illegal
activity, or any activities against the values of the National Trust. If you’re concerned that a posting or user content has broken any of our house
rules or you’re worried about any comment or content then please send us an
email to: [email protected] and let us know

27/10/2026

Visitor Notice❗

Due to high winds combined with high spring tides, visitors are advised not to travel to The Strand by car today. Conditions are challenging, and access may be affected.

23/10/2026

Important notice: Storm Boelo📢

Due to strong winds forecast for Saturday afternoon and Sunday due to Storm Boelo, combined with high spring tides, we advise against traveling to the beach during this time and remember to keep well away from the shoreline and waves.

Visitors are advised to keep an eye on our website and socials for updated messaging before travelling to Portstewart Strand.

21/10/2026

⚠️ Visitor Notice

We're pleased to confirm that Portstewart Strand has returned to Green Level status as of Wednesday, 21 October, in accordance with the Inter-Agency Blue-Green Algae Protocol.

Samples collected and tested by DAERA's Bathing Waters Team indicate that potential toxin levels have returned to normal, and the previous "Advice Against Bathing" notice has now been removed.

However, due to the continued movement of blue-green algae blooms within the River Bann catchment, we encourage visitors to remain vigilant, particularly when visiting with dogs. Avoid contact with any visible algae accumulations along the shoreline .

As always, if you encounter suspected blue-green algae, please report it to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency using their reporting app -The Bloomin’ Algae App.

For further information, please see the link in the comments.

11/10/2026

⚠️ Visitor Notice: Blue-Green Algae

Thursday 15 October 2026

The Red Level Warning – Bathing Not Advised remains in place due to high levels of decaying blue-green algae along the shoreline as advised by DAERA Bathing Waters .

Please: ❌ Don't swim, fish, wade, boat or kayak
❌ Don't touch algae scum or mats
🐕 Keep dogs on leads and away from the water

Sunday 11 October 2026
Following strong winds over last Saturday, we were made aware of Blue-Green Algal scums that have appeared on the beach.

While we await test results, these scums could pose a risk to public health, so we've been advised to issue a precautionary 'Advice Against Bathing' Notice from today (Sunday 11 October).

With this, we ask that all visitors remain vigilant and stay away from the water. We advise that you do not swim, wade, fish, boat, or kayak at this time.

Given the particular risk the scum poses to dogs, we also ask all dog-walkers to take extra care and keep their pets on leads at all times during this precautionary 'Red Alert', in accordance with the Inter-Agency Blue-Green Algae Protocol.

DAERA will continue to monitor Portstewart Strand and advise of any changes.

For further information or if you suspect you have seen these algae, please contact Northern Ireland Environment Agency using their reporting app for suspected sightings of blue green algae.

For more details, please visit the link https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/what-do-if-you-think-you-see-blue-green-algae?fbclid=IwY2xjawU4LaNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7khc11e6wtQ4PNpOuGms6TW6-Z7vp3oBDrMNAYz4eRFJ2bVfBN9ScljUSK_Q_aem_iO9iZlNjr2hI7Uj63Vi2Ig

10/10/2026

🧹 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱! 🌍

Join us for a Community Litter Pick as part of Good Relations Week to help create a cleaner community together!

There will be complimentary breakfast baps and hot drinks for all participants after the clean-up!

📅 Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
⏰ Time:11:00 am - 12:00 pm

📍 Meeting Point: The Bandstand, The Promenade

All equipment provided!🧹
All welcome!🙌

This event is funded by Radius Housing

09/10/2026

Perfect autumn sky captured this morning by our partners on the Strand, Sauna and Sea

Early bird gets the worm today 🌊

06/10/2026

🚧 Visitor Information 🚧

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen maintenance works, the toilets and Changing Places facilities are temporarily closed for a few days.

We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to reopen them as soon as possible. We will provide updates once the facilities are available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

05/10/2026

Keep your dog close🐶

We want you and your dog to have a fun and stress-free visit but we also want to ensure everyone can enjoy Portstewart Strand, whether or not they have a dog.

Remember, dogs should be kept on lead up until post 10 at Portstewart Strand, for their safety and other visitors enjoyment.

For more information about visiting Portstewart Strand with your dog, please visit: bit.ly/NT-Portstewart-Dogs

22/09/2026

🌊 Community Beach Clean 🌊

Looking for a family-friendly activity this weekend? Join us and Portstewart Community Association on Saturday, 1pm to 3pm, to help clean The Strand and dunes after the busy summer season. 💙♻️

20/09/2026

🐶 Waggy Races

The popular cross-country fun run with your furry four-legged friends returns to the north coast next weekend!

Waggy Races invites you to walk, run or jog this famous stretch of golden sand at Portstewart Strand with your dog, two dogs or as a pack!

🐶 Waggy Races
📆 Sunday 27 September 2026
📍 Portstewart Strand
For more information please go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/portstewart-strand/events

Address

118 Strand Road
Portstewart
BT557PG

Telephone

+442870836396

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/portstewartstrand/

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