Strand Road Park-Up, Coleraine – The WiFi Works (but the Locals Rev)

There’s something incredibly grounding about parking beside a river that literally symbolises decades of political and economic neglect. The River Bann, for those blissfully unaware of Northern Irish geography, is that invisible-but-very-real line that divides East from West — or, in funding terms: “Gets Everything” vs. “Wait Your Turn”.

So, here we are. Strand Road, Coleraine. We first found this spot a few weeks ago and only stayed for a few hours — a quick reset stop before heading home. It was quiet, unassuming, and didn’t scream “tulip field influencer content,” which was part of the appeal. But after a few signal-starved days over at Magilligan, we were in need of something with actual internet and a nearby B&Q. Because, yes, porridge-related emergencies are a thing in our van.

Back for a Bit Longer (with a Signal That Actually Works)

The idea was simple: get closer to town, boost the WiFi, and buy a bowl big enough to stop Kathy’s morning oats from turning into a microwave monster.

So we tried another spot just outside Coleraine first, slightly more rural, more scenic, and absolutely useless in terms of mobile signal. EE was doing its best impression of a smoke signal. We gave it 20 minutes, sighed loudly, and pointed the van toward Strand Road. Again.

Parking Right Beside the Bann

This park-up runs parallel to the river, with long bays that are perfect if your motorhome is the size of a mid-range yacht (ours is just shy of 7m). We tucked ourselves under a small tree, which in hindsight was probably a rookie move — birds and sap being what they are — but it meant we could actually drive straight out without needing to perform a multi-point shuffle while swearing.

Facilities? Surprisingly solid for a free public car park:

• Toilets (with baby change station — 10/10 for inclusivity)

• Bins that aren’t overflowing or home to a rat family reunion

• A coffee pod that doesn’t drone on with a generator all day. Silent, clean, and actually makes a decent brew.

The Great Northern Irish Weather Lottery

We’ve moved less than 10 miles from Magilligan, and somehow found ourselves on the wrong side of a weather tantrum. While Magilligan was mostly dry and breezy, our first night here gave us torrential rain, sideways. The van rattled like it was caught in a petty domestic with the wind. The only upside? At least we weren’t parked on sand.

The Nightlife Nobody Asked For

Now, we’re no strangers to occasional park-up weirdness, but our second night brought the classic boy-racer energy. One of the local lads decided to treat his significant other to a 3-hour silent date with the engine running the whole time. They didn’t talk. They didn’t leave the car. Just sat there. Rumbling. It’s like ASMR for mechanics.

Why? Who knows. Maybe the heater only works if the car’s idling. Maybe he needed to recharge his awkwardness. Maybe petrol is free in Coleraine if you drive a Vauxhall Corsa from 2007. Either way, he left at 3am and the peace was immediate.

What We Actually Got Done

Aside from eavesdropping on human behaviour, we:

• Picked up the B&Q order (including The Porridge Bowl)

• Caught up on admin (the thrilling digital nomad life)

• Washed dishes that weren’t even dirty just to justify standing at the sink

• Sat in full 4G signal while our Starlink order continues to not arrive

Side note on Starlink: I tried cancelling it when I found out you can literally walk into Currys and buy one. But of course, they said it was “already in the packing stage” — which apparently is code for “We haven’t even looked at your order yet, but no, you can’t cancel it.” They did say I could return it once it arrives. Great. Because paying for it twice seems like a sound financial move, right?

Locals, Lunchtime Visitors, and Dogs

This spot has a lovely ebb and flow of visitors throughout the day. We’ve seen:

• Dog walkers in full reflective gear

• Builders pulling in with sausage rolls and a flask

• Folks making emergency coffee runs

• And the occasional “I just need to use the loo” drop-in

It feels safe, it’s clean, and no one’s banging on your van window at 11pm asking questions. That’s a win in my book.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for somewhere unremarkably brilliant, this is it.

It’s not flashy. It’s not remote. It’s functional, central, reliable, and quiet enough most of the time to get work done.

Sure, the town itself feels like someone unplugged it in 2012 and forgot to restart it, but that’s true of most town centres these days. Still, this park-up does what it says on the tin: a safe place to stop, rest, catch up on work, and access a proper coffee without hearing a petrol generator humming through your fillings.