Portstewart Strand

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Portstewart Strand is a two-mile-long sandy beach in Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, along the north Atlantic coast. It lies between the town and the mouth of the River Bann, known as the Barmouth, and is one of Northern Ireland’s top visitor attractions. The National Trust owns and runs the beach, which has Blue Flag status for high standards of cleanliness and safety. Cars can be driven onto the beach and parked there, a long-standing practice that continued after the National Trust bought the beach in 1980. The beach attracts about 180,000 visitors a year. All activities, including watersports, are divided into zones for safety and conservation. In 2008 the National Trust opened a new visitor facility after spending £450,000, partly funded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. In 2000 the dune system was designated part of the Bann Estuary Area of Special Scientific Interest because of its rare habitats and wildlife. The dunes host many butterflies and orchids, including the bee orchid, viewable from marked trails. Portstewart Strand is also featured as the Dornish Coast in Season 5 of Game of Thrones, where Jaime Lannister and Bronn fight Dornish guards.