Monitored bathing water

Crawfordsburn

Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Water qualityExcellent NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Crawfordsburn

Crawfordsburn is a sheltered sandy beach within Crawfordsburn Country Park on the North Down coast of Belfast Lough. A DAERA-identified bathing water rated Excellent, it sits at the foot of a wooded glen with a waterfall, reached by paths through one of Northern Ireland's most popular country parks. Good facilities, easy access and calm water make it a favourite family beach, and the North Down Coastal Path runs right along the shore towards Helen's Bay and Bangor. With the glen, the beach and the parkland all in one place, it is an easy and lovely day out within a short drive of Belfast.

Get directions to the car park

This searches for the named car park on Google Maps — a place-name match, not yet a GPS-confirmed pin.

📍 Find Crawfordsburn Country Park car park, Helen's Bay on Google Maps

Named from official sources but not yet pin-verified — always confirm on arrival.

Map

Approximate location, auto-geocoded from a named car park — not yet a GPS-verified pin. Always verify on arrival.

Activity suitability

Surfing — No surf
Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
Lifeguard (summer) — No
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Toilets — Yes
Car park — Free
Disabled access — Yes
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from the local council and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Discover Northern Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at nidirect.gov.uk. Always check nidirect.gov.uk and local signage at the beach before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall. IrishBeaches.ie accepts no liability for water quality conditions at the time of your visit.

NIEA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check nidirect.gov.uk for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Crawfordsburn

Verified local listings for Down are coming as we build out our accommodation guide.

Nearby golf

From the GolfIreland.ie network. Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), not driving distance.