Helen's Bay Beach: A Sandy Oasis in Crawfordsburn Country Park

Looking for a beautiful sandy beach within the Belfast area? Look no further than Helen's Bay Beach in Crawfordsburn Country Park. With excellent water quality and gently shelving sand, it's perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The park itself provides a stunning backdrop, with wooded headlands, meadows, and quality walks. And if you're lucky, you may spot some local wildlife, such as porpoises and seals.

Facilities at Helen's Bay Beach include a café/restaurant, car parking, picnic sites, toilets, and tourist information/visitor centre. Disabled toilets and parking are also available, and there's a wheelchair-accessible path leading from the car park to the beach.

Mourne Mountains from Beach, County Down © Chris Hill Photographic Image courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

While the beach is occasionally affected by the wake from high-speed ferries, it's still a must-visit destination for beach lovers. In fact, it's part of the Belfast Lough ASSI and SAC, which was established for the populations of wading birds that spend the winter at the beach. Look out for Eider Ducks and terns in the summer months.

If you're looking to extend your trip, there's plenty to do in the surrounding area. Crawfordsburn Country Park offers excellent facilities, including a visitor centre and café with wheelchair access. And just a short drive away is the seaside town of Bangor, which boasts plenty of shops, restaurants, and attractions, such as the Bangor Castle Walled Garden and Pickie Funpark.

So, whether you're looking to relax on the beach or explore the surrounding area, Helen's Bay Beach is a beautiful oasis that should not be missed.