The 2024 guide, now in its 16th edition, includes only those beaches rated as “excellent” for water quality by national government agencies.

Ballycastle Beach in County Antrim has been named Northern Ireland’s beach of the year by Chris Haslam, the award-winning chief travel writer for The Times and Sunday Times.

In his review of Ballycastle, Haslam remarked: “Ballycastle feels like a made-up resort. There’s a river running across a beach of flat sands; the best chippy on the coast (Morton’s on the harbour); kayaking; guided wild swimming; boat trips to Rathlin Island just offshore; and a new high-speed passenger ferry service to Islay and Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, which is visible from the beach.”

Chris Haslam personally visited and inspected all 50 beaches in the guide over the past eight weeks. The guide highlights the UK’s seaside beauty, evaluated using a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist.

Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking, lifeguard presence, restroom and shower hygiene, and dog-friendliness. The guide only covers mainland beaches.

The four best beaches in Northern Ireland according to The Sunday Times are:

· Ballycastle, Co Antrim (Northern Ireland’s Beach of the Year)

· White Park Bay, Co Antrim

· Benone, Co Londonderry

· Murlough, Co Down