As we all start to think about our precious summer holidays and what Covid will bring this year, many of us are thinking about booking a beach holiday in the UK. We can have long hot summers in the UK and most of us live within an easy drive of some part of the coastline. We are also fortunate that we have a lot of excellent beach resorts which cater for all sorts of holiday makers.
From Blackpool and Great Yarmouth for those who like traditional resorts with amusement arcades and rollercoasters to more sophisticated and unspoilt resorts with tea rooms and promenades like Southwold and Broadstairs. For those that like messing about on the water and doing activities such as kayaking and windsurfing there are plenty of excellent locations for watersports enthusiasts. As an island we are actually spoilt for choice for fantastic beaches and I have outlined a few of my favourite below.
Tenby, Wales – a lovely family resort famous for its ice-cream coloured houses and beautiful sandy bays with a rocky headland between the two. Great for watersports, swimming and family holidays with plenty of campsites, hotels and self-catering cottages available.
Holkham, Norfolk – miles and miles of flat sand surrounded by sand dunes and pine trees, this place feels miles from anywhere. It is actually a fantastic place to visit out of season for a long walk rather than a traditional summer holiday as it can be a long walk out to the water. Also famous for its long row of brightly painted beach huts. There are other amazing beaches in Norfolk too, often overlooked. If you have a dog then visit Happisburgh beach, famous for its long history and dramatic landscapes.
Brighton, East Sussex – a popular pebbly beach right in the middle of the vibrant and exciting town of Brighton. There is a huge amount to do in Brighton so it is a great place to stay if the weather isn’t perfect. With a range of indepent shops and restaurants, bars and cafes it is easy to while away a long weekend here all year round. It is a great place for Londoners to escape to as getting the train to Brighton is so easy
Bamburgh, Northumberland – this place stands out for its miles of sandy beaches and sand dunes overlooked by the imperious castle which stands right on the shoreline. There is also a sweet little village with pubs, a hotel, cafes and a fabulour cricket pitch right at the foot of the castle.
Abersoch, Wales – another family favourite this lovely town has some high end boutiques and restaurants and there are some fabulous self catering properties in the town. Found on the south side of the Llyn Peninsula Abersoch has golden sandy beaches, a row of cheerful beach huts, and lots of watersports available. On a clear day the view across Cardigan Bay are unbeatable.
Broadstairs, Kent – a traditional little beach resort which has been around since the time of Charles Dickens. It is a proper horse-shoe bay curving round a small sandy beach and offers all the joys of a traditional beach resort with ice cream parlours and bucket and spade shops. It is also a popular place for weekenders down from London and is quite chi-chi these days.
St Andrews, Scotland – if you can face the Scottish climate then St Andrews makes a lovely holiday destination. A very unspoilt historic town to the north of Edinburgh, St Andrews is a hidden gem with great sandy beaches and a pretty town with great shops and cafes. Small enough to wander around easily and also on the doorstep of some fabulous coastal scenery you have the best of both worlds. Famous for its ancient golf course as well as its history there is plenty to do here if the beach is a bit too chilly for more than a bracing walk.
