Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside…Swimming is great when the weather is warm and where it’s safe to do it, but beaches have plenty more to offer too. Here’s a list of the top five beaches around Britain’s coastline, and the best things about them.
Britain’s Best Beaches | Best for sandcastles
Weymouth Beach in Dorset is said to have some of the best sand in Britain for building sandcastles. It even has a resident sand sculptor, whose work can be seen on the beach.
It’s minutes from the town centre and with a mix of traditional (Punch & Judy and donkey rides) and lively events (volleyball, summer firework displays), there’s something for everyone on the 3-mile stretch of sand. Lifeguards, lost child meeting point and first aid facilities are also available.
Britain’s Best Beaches | Best for rock pools
Also in Dorset is Kimmeridge Bay, which lies within the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset!
The Wild Seas Centre Centre encourages all ages to explore the bay, its ledges and rockpools or walk up to Clavell Tower for spectacular views. The bay is part of the 96-mile long Jurassic Coast, which stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorest and features on the World Heritage List. With a history that spans 185 million years, fossils can be found in the rocks, but collecting and the use of hammers is prohibited.
Britain’s Best Beaches | Best for beach combing
Camber Sands in Kent is a popular windsurfing and kite-surfing spot, so pack a windbreak for your trip to the beach, which is regarded as one of the best places for beachcombing in the UK.
Camber Sands remains largely unspoilt and for the greater part of the year there is a good chance of finding some solitude here. Even in the height of summer the crowds are bearable and there are shops, cafes and lifeguards available at the furthermost end of the beach.
Britain’s Best Beaches | Best for activities
Watergate Bay beach, about 3 miles from Newquay on the North Cornwall coast, boasts two miles of golden sand at low tide. Enormous waves coming in from the Atlantic are a spectacular sight and make this bay a popular surfing and kite-surfing location.
The beach is a European Designated beach and has achieved the highest standard for UK bathing water. Lifeguards are on watch May to September, sand chairs are available to hire and the bay hosts a number of events and sand/sea/air sports as well as the annual Polo on the Beach.
Britain’s Best Beaches | Best for nostalgia
If you’re looking for something more traditional, then Blackpool’s Golden Mile is the place to go. There’s so much to do here, you might spend more time on the prom than you do on the beach itself.
There are three piers to visit and attractions include dodgems and waltzers, penny slot arcade and a two-tier Venetian Carousel. Ice cream parlours and tea rooms offer refreshments, and the ubiquitous Blackpool Rock is available everywhere. You’ll even find a Kiss Me Quick hat if you look hard enough.
For more information on UK’s top beaches read: UK’s blue flag beaches.
