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Home > NIEA > Places to Visit > Country Parks and Countryside Centres > The Coastal Zone at Portrush

The Coastal Zone at Portrush

Last updated: 30 September 2011

The Coastal Zone at Portrush is our main centre for marine and coastal education. Located directly by the sea on Bath Road in Portrush, visitors to the center will be taken on a journey of Northern Ireland’s wildlife and heritage found under the sea and along our coasts.

The viewing platform at the back of the centre affords excellent views towards the sea where just off the coast where dolphins, seals and harbour porpoises can sometimes be seen.


The Coastal Zone at Portrush
8 Bath Road
Portrush
County Antrim
BT56 8AP

Tel: 028 7082 3600
Fax: 028 7082 3269


Opening times as follows:

Visitor Centre:

1 October - 30 March: 12.00noon to 4.00pm Sunday

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Features

  • Visitors Centre and Toilet DDA compliant
  • DDA Access to  exterior Sea Viewing Platform
  • Audio loops available within Visitor Centre

  • Marine and coastal exhibition
  • Information centre
  • An indoor rockpool with seashore life
  • 2 large fish tanks
  • Children's activity area and library
  • Model painting
  • Audio-visual marine life films
  • Small gift shop
  • Manned viewing platform with telescope
  • Toilets
  • Adjacent car / bus parking
  • Access at street level
  • Parking for 8 cycles along the wall at the back of the centre.

For a map and further details for cyclists visit the National Cycle Network websiteOpens in new window.

The Coastal Zone (formerly Portrush Countryside Centre) was once the Bath House providing hot salt-water baths. It was refurbished and opened to the public in 1977, providing a modern exhibition area and facilities. Our current exhibition 'Time and Tides' tells the story of our rich marine environment and its influence on past, present and future human activities. Many schools combine a visit here with a visit to Dunluce Castle.

  • Two large fish tanks
  • Indoor rockpool
  • Manned viewing platform
  • Rockpools visible at low tide

Resources suitable for use at this site

KS 1

 I Can Colour the Castle: Colouring in and Writing for KS1 (.PDF 663Kb)Opens in new window.
I See The Sea (.PDF 3.46Mb)Opens in new window.
I See The Sea Irish version (.PDF 3.42Mb)Opens in new window.
Sarah Seal’s Coastal Activity Booklet (.PDF 2.58Mb)Opens in new window.
Sarah Seal Irish version (.PDF 2.60Mb)Opens in new window.

 

KS 2

 Meet The Mammals (.PDF 2.33Mb)Opens in new window.
Meet The Mammals Irish version (.PDF 2.33Mb)Opens in new window.

 

KS 2 and 3

Let's Explore Life in Early Times (.PDF 3.06Mb)Opens in new window.

 

KS 3

 Meet The Earth (.PDF 663Kb)Opens in new window.
Anglo Norman’s In Ireland (.PDF 4.24Mb)Opens in new window.

 

Teachers

 Magilligan Nature Reserve Resource Material for KS3 (.PDF 1.57Mb)Opens in new window.


People visiting the Coastal Zone should remember the Coastal Code:

  • Take all litter home
  • Protect wildlife
  • Return all creatures from rock pools unharmed
  • Many coastal areas have slippery rocks and seaweed, deep water and unpredictable waves - supervise children at all times
  • Protect vulnerable habitats by staying on path where access is permitted
  • Do not use motor cycles or quads in sand dunes
  • Please leave sand, gravel and rocks on the seashore
  • Swim only in designated bathing areas - be aware of your limitations