Tag Archives: long beach

Portrush East Strand beach, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

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Known as ‘Northern Ireland’s favourite holiday destination’, Portrush is well known for its long, sandy beaches, East and West Strands. East Strand is the quieter of the two, as it does not have the life boat station training centre. It is still a busy beach with plenty of people watching to be done. It has large sand dunes and amazing views along the coast and is an ideal place to explore the Causeway Coast.

Portrush, built mainly on a mile-long penninsular, is a popular and well known town on the Londonderry border. It has hosted the British Golf Open, many open air music festivals and an annual air show in September. Portrush is also home to Barry’s Amusements, the largest amusement park in Northern Ireland. Actor, James Nesbitt, once worked in Barry’s.

rightbeach recommends this beach for young families due to its ease for parking and toilet facilities but also for families with teens who fancy learning to surf. There is a surf school on the beach with surf board and suit hire with changing rooms.

Beach blurb

See Portrush East Strand beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Take a wind break as the wide beach means it can get a bit breezy.
  • …and a kite to keep Daddy entertained (although Daddy rightbeach is yet to succeed in the kite department!)
  • A wet suit to keep the chill out when learning to ride the waves.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Open beach with plenty of space.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Can get busy due to its popularity.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Waves here can get very good with the prevailing south westerly winds blowing offshore.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Sandy, sandy, sandy
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Clean and tidy with baby changing facilities. Located in car park.
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Massive car park on sea front.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Only a stones throw away from Portrush town.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Clothing shops, surf suit hire

Review by Lesley H

Minehead beach, Somerset

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Minehead beach is a busy sand and shingle beach. It has great views over the Bristol Channel, North Hill and Exmoor. Fab for young and old alike as it has so many convenient features: easy parking, clean and tidy toilets, sand for castle building, shallows for paddling, steam train for Grandad, to name but a few.Minehead is the beginning of the South West Coast path and has some stunning scenary as you stroll along. Wander in the other direction to spot speedboats in the small harbour.

Minehead hosts one of England’s largest Butlins camps which not only offers the usual array of Redcoat frolics: funfair, ballroom , boating lake, etc, but also a chairlift system and a miniature railway.

Head into the town for a wide selection of shops and treats. We hear the fish foot spa is a must! Perhaps combine with a cream tea? The Farmers Market is open for business every Friday in The Parade from 8.30am to 2.30pm come rain or shine!

rightbeach recommends this beach for families of all varieties. Lots of fun on and off the beach with the necessary requirements of parking, toilets and food all within convenient reach.

Beach blurb

See Minehead beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

  • Change for Pay and Display is a must.
  • Plan a stress free lunch and take advantage of the many food vendors along the sea front.
  • Windbreaks to create an element of privacy on the popular beach.

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Area
Rating
Observation
Beach Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Wide and sandy with some shingle. Rock and pools. Known for kites and windsurfing.
Crowded
(1=deserted)		 Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Butlins near by means you are not likely to be alone.
Surf Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating More wind surfing than surf boarding.
Sand Sandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Good sand but much of it is covered during high tide. Some sand has been washed away by sea defences.
Toilets Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating
Parking Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Pay and display along sea front.
Food Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Nice selection of hot, cold and ice cream vendors.
Shopping Sandcastle ratingSandcastle ratingSandcastle rating Walking distance to Minehead town centre. Usual high street stores as well as some quirky stores, check out ‘Fizz’ the retro sweetie store.

Review by Sharon S