See Britain’s coastline at its glorious best
IT MAY not be bikini weather just yet, but the mercury is rising and the summertime crowds are still ages away. In other words, it’s the perfect time to hit the beach.
JAMEY BERGMAN looks at some of England’s finest…
PEDN VOUNDER BEACH, CORNWALL
IF YOU’RE really looking to get away from it all but don’t want to leave England’s mainland, Pedn Vounder beach is a good choice. The beach sits below the clifftop South West Coast Path and is about a mile from the nearest towns of Porthcurno and Treen. It’s also an unofficial naturist beach if you’re brave enough to bare all. Take a (skinny) dip, then stroll to Porthcurno for an evening’s entertainment at the village’s open-air Minack Theatre.
WOOLACOMBE, DEVON
ON THE other hand, if you’re more concerned about the family facilities on offer than the remoteness of the place, make your way to the ever-popular Woolacombe in Devon. The beach is gently-sloping and broad, with plenty of room for the kiddies to run wild. With its position facing the Atlantic, the beach’s rolling swells attract a surfer crowd, too. The facilities here are plentiful, and the region offers all kinds of exploration options including the nearby Exmoor National Park.
ISLE OF WIGHT
FOR an island adventure close to home, head for the Isle of Wight, just a short ferry ride across the Solent. England’s largest island has about 60 miles of coastline to explore and nearly half of the isle is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s great for families and a paradise for watersports enthusiasts, with a rich nautical tradition, a huge sailing community and beaches popular with surfers, kite-surfers and canoeists. Late spring sees the arrival of the famed Isle of Wight music festival.
CROMER BEACH, NORTH NORFOLK
PIERS and arcades are some of the most enduring attractions associated with English seaside towns, and one excellent example is Norfolk’s Cromer pier. The handsome Victorian-era structure still features traditional puppet shows and numerous theatrical productions at its Pavilion Theatre. There are funfair rides for the kids, and when the tide goes out, you can find the delicious Cromer crabs, which are in peak season from March to June, in tidepools on the beach.
FILEY BRIGG, NORTH YORKSHIRE
NOT far from the better-known beaches lining the coast of the North York Moors National Park, the steep cliffs of Filey Brigg jut out into the North Sea. The geology of the Carr Naze peninsula creates a biologically rich area full of rock pools loved by adventurous children and hungry birds alike. Keep your eyes peeled for marine creatures as well as oystercatchers, redshanks and purple sandpipers. There’s a sculpture trail, fish and chip shop, and colourful chalets with sea views to rent.
The variety and beauty of England’s beaches is truly remarkable. Go to VisitEngland.com to help you find the right one for your spring holiday.