A stunning coastal location - situated 8 miles north-west of Coleraine - unique habitats of special conservation value and many distinctive species make this nature reserve a real gem. An undisturbed sand dune complex - approximately 45ha in size - with dune grasslands, wetter dune slacks and a small hazel copse, the site nestles between Benone complex and Downhill Beach. One of the chief attractions is the summer display of flowering plants in the meadows and sand dunes, and these in turn support an incredible diversity of insect life - butterflies, moths and bees being the easiest to observe.
Access: The nature reserve is open to UWT members only.
Getting There: The nature reserve can be accessed off the A2 Seacoast Road between Downhill and Benone. Park on the roadside and enter the reserve through the gates beside the house next to the level crossing.
Look out for: pyramidal orchid, grass-of-parnassus, dark green fritillary
butterfly, 6-spot burnet moth, skylark, autumn fungi.
