Ballyholme Beach & Yacht Club

📍 Bank's Lane, Down

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 28 April 2026

Overview

Ballyholme Beach lies on the north‑east coast of Bangor, County Down, forming a gentle arc of golden sand backed by a sturdy seawall and a wide promenade. The beach, about 1.3 km long, is flanked by rocky outcrops at each end and a privately owned woodland fringe to the east. Just a short walk inland, Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC) sits on the tranquil waters of Ballyholme Bay at the entrance to Belfast Lough, offering a vibrant nautical centre for sailors, wind‑surfers and families.

History & Heritage

During the Second World War Ballyholme Bay became a hive of activity for the United States Navy. Large vessels anchored in Belfast Lough and troops rehearsed amphibious landings for D‑Day, with Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower observing from the USS Texas in May 1944. The area hosted several air‑raid shelters; their red‑brick remnants now form part of the sea‑wall protecting the beach.

A local shipyard, Slater’s Shipyard, operated on the edge of the bay. Run by Scottish‑born Robert N “Bertie” Slater, the yard carried out Admiralty work throughout the war, constructing and repairing craft for the Allied effort.

The yacht club itself traces its roots to 1900 when local enthusiasts formed Ballyholme Sailing Club, launching races in 1901 from a modest wooden clubhouse that still stands as the Kingsland Tennis Pavilion. After a wartime hiatus, the club re‑emerged in 1920 as Ballyholme Yacht Club. Over the decades it expanded with a Cadet Room (1956), a two‑storey building (1963), a North Dinghy Park (1970s) and a Rescue and Training Building (1996). A notable legacy is the Ballyholme One‑Design (later Ballyholme Bay) class, a fleet of nine boats built in 1938, seven of which still race today.

World War II legacy

In April 1944 the American Landing Ship Tank LST 393 beached in Ballyholme Bay for rehearsals ahead of the Normandy invasion. After successful trials it returned to Belfast Lough and later sailed to Dundrum Bay before joining the convoy that set out for the D‑Day landings. The vessel is now preserved as a museum ship in Muskegon, Michigan, and its brief stay in Ballyholme Bay is commemorated by local history displays.

Recent Developments & Future Plans

In 2026 the first phase of a £73 million Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment was approved, targeting the BYC site. The project will create a state‑of‑the‑art BYC Watersports Centre, with a new clubhouse, larger slipway and upgraded facilities designed to boost participation and attract international events. Construction is slated to begin shortly and finish by 2028. The upgrade follows the successful hosting of the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, which saw 368 sailors from around 45 countries compete at the club.

Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment – Phase One

The £73 million scheme is funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, Ards and North Down Council and the Department for Communities. Phase One focuses on the BYC Watersports Centre, delivering a modern clubhouse, expanded boat‑park, improved slipway and enhanced accessibility. The development is expected to create hundreds of jobs, increase visitor numbers by up to 100 000 annually and position the site as a premier venue for national and international sailing competitions.

Activities & Events

  • Water sports – The sheltered Belfast Lough waters are popular for canoeing, wind‑surfing, kite‑surfing, paddle‑boarding, sea‑swimming and casual kayaking. BYC provides a fleet of dinghies, catamarans and high‑performance skiffs for hire or club sessions.
  • Sailing & training – As an RYA‑recognised centre, BYC runs courses from beginner dinghy lessons to advanced offshore certifications, plus powerboating and race‑management workshops.
  • Cadet programme – A dedicated Cadet Room supports junior sailors with races, social events and hands‑on learning, reinforcing the club’s family‑friendly ethos.
  • Fishing – The bay offers good shore‑based fishing for species such as mackerel and bass, especially in the early evening.
  • Seasonal bathing – Safety signage and water‑quality information are displayed from June to September; there is no lifeguard service.
  • Events – The club regularly hosts local regattas and, following the redevelopment, aims to attract larger national and international sailing competitions.
  • Promenade strolls – The continuous esplanade offers uninterrupted sea views, lined with handsome terraced houses and easy access to public toilets and picnic spots.
  • Family play – Two children’s play areas sit at the eastern and western ends of the beach, adjacent to picnic zones.
  • Dog‑friendly walks – Dogs are welcome on the promenade and sand.
  • Ballymacormick Point – A short detour eastward leads to this rocky outcrop, covered in gorse and ideal for spotting seabirds, wildflowers and occasional foxes at low tide. (Ballymacormick Point)

Facilities & Practical Information

Opening hours

  • Beach access: open 24 h, all year.
  • Car park: 05:00 – 23:00 (closes at 23:00, re‑opens at 05:00).
  • Public toilets: daylight hours.

Admission

  • General entry: free.
  • Parking: free, though charges may apply for special events.

Facilities

  • On‑site parking (including disabled spaces) at both the beach and BYC.
  • Disabled toilets and wheelchair‑friendly promenade.
  • Public toilets and children’s play areas.
  • BYC building: lounge, bar, galley, changing rooms, dedicated cadet room, Rescue and Training Building, and on‑site camping.
  • No lifeguard service; bathing safety information posted seasonally.
  • The beach is backed by a sea‑wall with several wooden groynes.
  • Water quality is rated “Good” by the Environmental Agency.

Getting there

  • By car – Main car park on Bank’s Lane (eastern end) and a smaller lot north of BYC (western side). The A2 links Bangor to Belfast in about 30 minutes.
  • Public transport – Regular buses and trains run between Belfast and Bangor; Bus 302A stops near the promenade. Bangor railway station is a 1 km walk away.
  • Cycling & walking – Flat routes connect the beach to Bangor town centre and the 16‑mile coastal path linking Holywood to Orlock Point.

Nearby attractions

  • Bangor Marina, the Bradley Gallery, Ward Park and the historic town centre.
  • Bangor Abbey – a 6th‑century monastic site a short walk inland.
  • Groomsport Beach – reachable at low tide from the eastern end of the promenade.

Enjoy a day of sun, sea and sailing at Ballyholme Beach and Yacht Club – a seamless blend of natural beauty, historic charm and active waterfront recreation.