Murlough Bay Beach
ballycastle
Amenities
Summary
Remote horseshoe bay at Torr Head peninsula with dramatic cliffs and views to Rathlin Island.
About this location
Murlough Bay is a remote horseshoe bay at the northern tip of County Antrim, accessible via a single-track road through the Torr Head peninsula. The bay is sheltered by steep heather-covered hillsides and overlooks Rathlin Island across the channel. The isolation and dramatic lighting conditions have made Murlough a location for astrophotography and landscape film work. The National Trust manages the adjacent Murlough National Nature Reserve. The combination of a secluded sandy beach, dramatic cliff approaches, and views to Rathlin make this one of the most visually distinctive beach locations on the Antrim coast for productions needing remote Northern Irish coastal scenes.
The location offers broad scope for both wide landscape shooting and intimate coastal scenes. Natural light conditions vary significantly with the season and prevailing weather, giving location managers flexibility across different production requirements. Access and filming rights should be confirmed with the local authority or land manager before scheduling production days. The area has attracted increasing interest from location scouts working on features and series set along the British coastline.
Access notes
- Parking
- On-site parking available — confirm crew-vehicle capacity with the venue.
- Loading access
- Loading access not listed. Confirm access points, door widths, and lift availability with the venue before the day.
- Public transit
- ballycastle has mainline rail and regional bus connections. Check the nearest station and allow for equipment on-foot from transit.
Ask us about this location
Quick question before you enquire upstream? We often know day-rate ranges, permit lead times, or a direct-to-owner shortcut not shown on the source page.
On the map
ballycastle — drag to pan, scroll to zoom.
Access process
National Trust
The National Trust has a central commercial filming and photography team that handles enquiries across all 500+ properties. Location fees fund conservation.
- Lead time
- 8 weeks minimum; 3+ months for major interiors.
- Fees
- Day rates set per property and per shoot scale — typically £500–£5,000+ for full crew access. Student and charitable reductions available.
- Crew size capped per property. Large shoots need dedicated agreement.
- No flash photography on historic interiors. No damage to fabric of any kind.
- Standard insurance requirement: £5m public liability minimum.
FAQ
- Do I need a permit to film at Murlough Bay Beach?
- Yes — filming on or around Murlough Bay Beach typically requires a permit. Allow roughly 5–10 working days lead time for most UK councils. Interior shoots on private property may also need owner consent.
- Is parking available at Murlough Bay Beach?
- On-site parking is available at Murlough Bay Beach. Capacity varies — confirm crew-vehicle numbers with the venue before the day.
- How much does it cost to film at Murlough Bay Beach?
- Murlough Bay Beach sits in the £ band. Typical UK film-location day rates range from under £200 for simple interior shoots to well over £1,000 for period properties and landmark venues. Confirm with the venue directly.
- What crew size is suitable for Murlough Bay Beach?
- Murlough Bay Beach can take a medium-sized crew of up to around 15 — most commercial, music-video, and short-form productions fit comfortably.
- Has anything been filmed at Murlough Bay Beach before?
- Murlough Bay Beach appears on Filmshoot's UK location index because it has a documented track record or strong characteristics for film and photography. Specific production credits aren't displayed unless publicly confirmed by the venue — ask the venue directly or check ScreenSkills and IMDb Locations for verified credits.
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