Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Crawfordsburn

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available ASSI Dog friendly Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

Crawfordsburn is one of two attractive beaches that sit just to the west of Bangor, with this one accessed through a country park.  The bathing water is pristine, making this a popular wild swimming spot.    An attractive path behind the beach leads to woods and a waterfall and there is also beauty on the beach itself, including intriguing rock pools to explore at low tide.  Parking is free at the country park and the village of Crawfordsburn and the nearby town of Helen’s Bay offer alternatives to Bangor for shopping.

With Martha and Louise by Crawfordsburn beach.

A  beach at a country park.

Ballyholme

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available ASSI Dog friendly Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

Sitting just to the east of Bangor, Ballyholme beach is popular with locals and visitors alike.  On the western side of the bay are the Royal Ulster Yacht Club and Ballyholme Yacht Club, with two slipways to serve the fine sailing waters hereabouts.  The car park is at the eastern end of the sandy, crescent-shaped beach.  A night time visit is well worth it, with the lights and bustle of Bangor easily visible from the raised promenade behind the beach.  This is an urban beach in the finest tradition and there’s an inclusive, welcoming vibe.

Walkers on the promenade at Ballyholme, with Jean, Margaret, Irene, May, Paula and Leonora.

A view from above the beach at Ballyholme.

Groomsport

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available Ballymacormick Point ASSI Dog friendly Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

Groomsport beach sits just to the east of an attractive little harbour, which is a haven for small leisure boats.  There’s a handy Tourist Information Office by the harbour too.  The beach is sandy and has a small promenade on the western side.  This is a family friendly place, with rock pools at low tide, as well as good access and facilities nearby.  The theme continues with a children’s paddling pool, play area, small museum and tennis courts.  The adjacent village has eateries, shops and a pub, with Bangor ten minutes away if you need more action.

What the beach means to Kevin.

The beach at Groomsport.