Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
Use the small free National Trust car park at White Park Bay. If it is full, the National Trust asks visitors to return at another time rather than parking unsafely on the road.
Do not drive or park on Bregagh Road at the Dark Hedges. The road through the trees is pedestrian-only/no vehicles; use the nearby parking associated with the Dark Hedges Estate/Hedges Hotel and walk to the avenue.
Use Ballintoy Harbour’s own council car park. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council lists it as a free car park with 46 spaces; Portaneevy is another free public car park nearby on the coastal route.
Use the National Trust parking at Portstewart Strand, including beach parking when open. As checked in September 2026, non-members pay £8.50 per car; National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free.
Use the free Whiterocks Beach car park on Dunluce Road. The council provides main and overflow parking adjacent to the beach, so there is no need to park on the A2.
For Castlerock beach and village, the promenade provides free car parking. Cars are also permitted on the eastern portion of the beach, but soft wind-blown sand can make vehicle access difficult.
Benone Strand has free parking at the beach entrance and allows beach parking where conditions permit. Accessible parking is available; use the entrance parking if you are unsure about sand conditions.
Downhill Beach has free parking, including on-beach parking when conditions allow. There is also disabled parking at the beach entrance. Check the tide and soft-sand conditions before driving onto the strand.
Use the National Trust Lion’s Gate car park for Downhill Demesne. It is the main parking area for the estate; Bishop’s Gate has more limited provision.
Use the National Trust Lion’s Gate car park for the main Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne visit. As checked in September 2026, non-members pay £10 for all-day parking; National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free.
Use the signed visitor parking at Dunluce Castle on Dunluce Road. If the small castle-side parking is full, Magheracross is a useful official council fallback nearby and also has a coastal viewpoint.
For Coleraine town centre, use one of the council car parks such as Abbey Street, Long Commons, the Mall, Railway Place or Railway Road. Railway Road has high capacity; pick the car park on the side of town you need rather than crossing the centre by car.
For Ballycastle town centre, Ann Street is a useful council car park. For the seafront, harbour or Rathlin ferry, use the harbour/marina/seafront parking and allow extra time at peak ferry and summer periods.
Use Dundarave car park in Bushmills for a straightforward village visit. It is a council car park and is also used as the Giant’s Causeway Park & Ride point, so it is a practical base if you are combining the village with the Causeway.
For Portstewart town and promenade, use the council’s free public car parks such as Harbour Hill, the Diamond, Lever Road or the Pits Area. For Portstewart Strand itself, use the separate National Trust beach parking instead.
For Portrush town centre, Dunluce Avenue is a useful large central car park. For East Strand use East Strand car park; for West Strand use the West Strand car park. Free options include Landsdowne Road and Sandhill Drive, but they may be less convenient for your exact destination.
Use the National Trust on-site car park at Carrick-a-Rede. Parking is included with the booked visitor experience; spaces are limited and Larrybane is used as overflow when required.
If you are using the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience, use the National Trust on-site car park and pre-book. If you only need parking for the coastal path, the National Trust also lists its Causeway Coast Way car park at Innisfree Farm; Bushmills Park & Ride is another official option.
For the central Waterside, use a proper Waterside car park such as Spencer Road, Ebrington or St Columb’s Park depending on your destination. If you are heading to the Peace Bridge/Ebrington area, parking at Ebrington or St Columb’s Park is usually the most useful.
William Street car park is the most useful general choice for the Bogside. It is the public car park specifically recommended by the Museum of Free Derry and keeps you on the correct side of the city centre for Glenfada Park and the murals.
Use the free car parking within St Columb’s Park off St Columb’s Road. Visit Derry also confirms free on-road parking on St Columb’s Road and additional parking at nearby Ebrington Square.
Brooke Park has only limited parking. Visit Derry says parking is available at Rosemount Avenue and off Creggan Hill, so arrive early at busy times rather than expecting a large park car park.
Bishop Street car park is one of the most practical choices for St Columb’s Cathedral because it puts you on the same side of the walled city as the cathedral and Bishop’s Gate.
Use the Ebrington car park on the Waterside side. The Executive Office identifies a 214-space car park at King Street; Ebrington is also close to St Columb’s Park parking.
The Tower Museum is in Union Hall Place beside the Guildhall/Quayside side of central Derry. Use Quayside, Foyleside or a nearby council car park such as Victoria Market rather than looking for museum parking at the entrance.
Use William Street car park. The Museum of Free Derry specifically identifies public parking in nearby William Street, with other city-centre car parks also within walking distance.
For the city-centre end of Peace Bridge, park around Queens Quay, Strand Road, Quayside or another central lot. For the Waterside/Ebrington end, use Ebrington or St Columb’s Park parking.
For the southern/Diamond side of Derry’s Walls, Bishop Street car park is a strong choice. For the Guildhall/Tower Museum side, Quayside, Foyleside or Victoria Market can be more convenient.
For the Guildhall, use a central car park such as Quayside, Foyleside, Victoria Market or Strand Road. The Guildhall’s own visitor information lists these as nearby parking options.
For Derry city centre, choose a council or shopping-centre car park on the side you need. Bishop Street is useful for the Walls/Diamond side; William Street suits the Bogside; Foyleside and Quayside provide larger private multi-storeys for central shopping and attractions.
