Planning your next holiday? Check out our favourite beaches in England
Dreaming of your next holiday... it all starts with a beach in England
Every family is different, so it’s understandable that everyone’s idea of a holiday is different.
You don’t have to jet off somewhere half way around the world to go on holiday, there are fabulous locations all over England to enjoy, relax, have an adventure and spend time together in.
And it all starts with a beach in the UK: to help you plan your trip to the coast this summer, we have put together a list of our favourite beaches around the country.
Some are deservedly popular spots while others are hidden gems, where even at the height of summer you can find a secluded spot – that’s why for some of our destinations we have suggested somewhere to stay. Take a look…
1. Dorset, Studland Bay
Four miles of pristine white sand, milky-blue waters and a backdrop of dunes and heathland – sound delightful! The northern stretch is easily accessible by chain ferry which just adds to the excitement. Knoll Beach is most popular with families and you could tell the children it’s a dessert island adventure.
2. Isle of Wight, Compton Bay
If you’d prefer something more secluded then this spot is perfect - a rural and unspoilt stretch of coast set between the English Channel and the grassy hills of West Wight.
Take a walk south to Brook Bay at low tide to find ancient dinosaur tracks revealed on the foreshore, or spot fossils in the crumbling cliffs.
3. North Cornwall, Watergate Bay, Newquay
Two miles of golden sand backed by cliffs and caves, means there’s so much to see likes peregrine falcons, gulls and fulmars overhead. Back to the water and reliable surf means it has the perfect conditions for surfing while you can spot strawberry anemones and crabs among the rock pools. We recommend a walk along the clifftop to take in the views, and booking a surfing or traction kiting lesson during your stay.
4. South Cornwall, Porthcurno, near Land's End
We’d argue that this is the county's most beautiful bay: a funnel of white sand caught between granite cliffs. At its best at low tide, when you can walk to other beaches in the bay and sit on sandbars beneath the cliff fort Treryn Dinas, surrounded by Grecian-blue water.
5. South Devon, Blackpool Sands
Although it has fine shingle rather than sand, Blackpool Sands is popular with families and a great spot for swimming as its turquoise waters are clean and usually quite calm - you can hire kayaks and paddle boards for a family fun packed day.
6. Kent, Botany Bay
This is the most northerly of Broadstairs's beaches – a 660ft curve of sand backing onto white cliffs complete with chalk stacks, rock pools and plenty of opportunities to swim. At low tide you can walk to Joss Bay, Kent's best surf beach.
7. Yorkshire, Sandsend
Set against grassy cliffs, where the wide beach from Whitby ends is quieter and prettier than its famous neighbour – in our opinion. Children can play in the little becks that flow across the sand and there’s plenty to in the charming Sandsend village. This is a great place for fossil hunting at low tide.
8. Norfolk, Wells/Holkham
You can lay out your beach towels here or walk east on a path through the pine woods to the slightly more sheltered beach at neighbouring Wells-next-the-Sea. In high summer it's easier to park at Wells and walk the other way - in any case, take a windbreak.
9. Sussex, West Wittering
It's a long, narrow and often traffic-choked road to the Witterings from Chichester, but that's what gives this Sussex beach its ‘secret’ feel. The fine sand, overlooking the Solent and Chichester harbour, is spotlessly clean and at low tide there are pools for paddling.
From the sand you can watch acrobatic windsurfers sweep past but if you’d like to get involved there are plenty of places to hire paddle boards and everything you could need.
10. Suffolk, Walberswick
There’s so much fun to be had here - the wooden bridge leading to the beach is always crammed with children holding crabbing lines and plastic buckets. Climb over the ridge of dunes and you'll see why so many artists paint here and so many families escape here.
To book your UK stay and check out all our latest offers and discounts click here.
Brought to you by Greatest Hits Radio Escapes – happy holidays!