Castlerock

Photograph: Kay Atherton

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Castlerock, Londonderry

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Lat/Long

55.2N 6.8W

MCS Recommended

Water quality

The Good Beach Guide uses water sampling data collected by the UK environment agencies and local authorities
during the previous summer (i.e. Good Beach Guide classifications for 2013 are based on results of samples taken
during summer 2012) to assess water quality at beaches against the following standards, from best to worst water quality:

MCS Recommended – excellent water quality

Guideline – higher water quality

Mandatory – minimum water quality

Fail – did not meet the minimum water quality standard

Our standards are based on the European Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC), but are not the same as those
published by the UK Government and devolved administrations. We award some beaches our MCS Recommended
standard for excellent water quality and we include any UK beach sampled for water quality, even those not legally
required to comply with the Directive’s standards.

Please note: Storms, floods and heavy rain can lead to short term water pollution.

See our ‘How we recommend beaches’ page to find out more about our water quality standards.

MCS Recommended

2013: MCS Recommended

2012: MCS Recommended

2011: Mandatory

2010: MCS Recommended

2009: Mandatory

Local sewage outflows

Sewage discharges which may be affecting the water quality at this beach.
See "How we recommend beaches" to find out more about sewage treatment.

5 Overflow(s),

European designated bathing water

Every summer, water quality is assessed at popular UK beaches which have been designated as bathing waters
under the European Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC). Water samples are also sometimes taken on beaches
which are not officially designated as bathing waters. At these beaches the regular sampling of the water is not
a legal requirement, but is instead carried out on a voluntary basis by the beach owner or local authority.

Lifeguarded

RNLI: June 22nd - September 8th

A sandy beach backed by dunes and a championship golf course. There are rock pools to explore, a pier and a nature reserve at the Barmouth.

Beach type

Sand

Local facilities

Food, toilets, disabled toilets, shops, litter bins, campsite

Litter

Beach mechanically and manually cleansed during summer season

Parking

Approx 100 free spaces alongside promenade adjacent to beach. Also, parking on section of beach to right of main entrance is permitted, although vehicular access may be restricted due to soft sand.

Disabled parking

Things to do

There is a championship golf course. plenty of rock pools. and fishing is popular especially from the pier. Excellent variety of coastal walks

Wildlife & walks

Stroll along to the Barmouth with it's nature reserve, or venture along the cliff top to explore 'The Moor' headland, or take time to explore the nearby Downhill Forest.