Portstewart

Portstewart is a town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is a small coastal town, popular with holiday makers, and locals from other areas in Northern Ireland, seeking for some time at the beach. Portstewart, lies approximately 4 miles North West of the larger town of Coleraine. Portstewart has a small night-life scene, and the Anchor bar complex boasts itself as the North Coasts hottest nightclub. Portstewart is also popular for students attending the University of Ulster in Coleraine.

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Best Places to See:

  • Portstewart Strand – this beach is very popular with holidaymakers and surfers, all year round, you can walk the 2 mile long stretch to the Barmouth, where there is a small lighthouse, and where the River Bann flows into the sea. You can also see Castlerock beach from this point. Unfortunately there is no bridge to cross to the other side.
  • Sand hills at Portstewart Stand – Take a sand board, go into the sand hills and surf down them
  • Morellis Ice Cream – one of the oldest Italian ice cream shops (and possibly the more expensive) in Northern Ireland. Operational since 1911. This place is great for before or after your walk along the Strand.
  • The Promenade  – Souvenirs, boutique shops, fish and chips; a standard seaside promenade. You can walk along to the harbour end, where you can climb up on the wall, and walk up the hill to get a good view of the town.
  • Dominican Collage – An Old convent, which is now a school, that perches on the side of the sea. It is said to be haunted, but there is a good walk along the cliff, taking in the sea views, and leading you on the the strand.
  • The Crescent -Close to the Promenade, a good place to take the kids for a play on the swings. In the summer the water fountains are turned on, and there are small paddle boats to muck around in. There is also a small cafe here and a bandstand, where you can sit and watch the World go by.
  • Flowerfield Arts Centre – Just up the road, and hosting courses, exhibitions and concerts throughout the year.
  • Portstewart Golf Club – across from the Strand, is the North Coasts, most famous Gold Club. US Open Champion Rory McIlrory has played here.
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Sunset at Portstewart Stand

 

Population: 7800

Places to Stay:

Our Favourite Pub: The Anchor Bar
Our Favourite Restaurant: Shenanigans for a good evening meal, and the sizzlin’ sausage for a great Ulster Fry!
Our Favourite Cafe: Bob and Bert’s

Our Portstewart Secrets:

Get to the hill on Atlantic Court, for a view of the town, beach and as far as Mussenden Temple

Transport: Portstewart’s railway station, also known as Cromore Halt, was operational only until 1988. Local bus services to and from Coleraine, and Portrush, serve this town. There is no offical bus station in Portstewart.

Famous People from Portstewart 

  • Harry Gregg – a former Northern Ireland Footballer
  • Jimmy Kennedy – Songwriter
  • Sarah Travers – BBC Newsline reader
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Abbi and her sister on a coastal walk from the Promenade to the Strand July 2013

 

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