10 great seaside resorts
ST IVES Cornwall
St Ives is a quintessential beach town which has both charm and character. Often referred to as ‘the jewel in Cornwall’s crown’, it is easy to see why as you wander around the narrow cobbled streets and take in the picturesque harbour with its fishermen’s cottages. There are four superb beaches to choose from and on a sunny day, with the beaches looking golden and the sea an azure blue colour, you can easily believe you are on France's south coast not the southwest corner of England! Add to this the art galleries, interesting shops and great food and you have all you need for a great family camping holiday.
WESTON-SUPER-MARE Somerset
Weston-super-Mare is a bustling and vibrant beach location. The views over to Wales and of nearby Exmoor are enhanced by the long sweep of Weston Bay and the broad, flat sandy beach has as much open space as any youngster could wish for. Weston has everything you would expect of a seaside resort. There are three piers, and if you are looking for somewhere to occupy the kids for a long time, visit the Grand Pier.
TENBY Pembrokeshire
Generations of holidaymakers have loved visiting Tenby. The town is charming and great fun to explore and the harbour is colourful and pretty. You have a choice of three lovely beaches, each with its own character. Water sports are very popular here and you can hire kayaks and motorboats and even go on a jet ski safari! Mackerel fishing boat trips leave from the harbour regularly. Tenby may be bustling and busy on hot summer days but it has a captivating genteel feel to it as well.
BLACKPOOL Lancashire
Blackpool is still the daddy of Britain’s seaside resorts. It’s big, brash and bustling and attracts millions of holidaymakers every year who come to savour the traditional (and very busy) attractions the town has to offer. The iconic tower dominates the seafront, along with three piers jammed full of fun things to do and, of course, the wonderful Pleasure Beach theme park at the south end of the front. At the end of summer, the famous illuminations are switched on, making it just
as popular to visit out of season. If you really have never been to Blackpool you just have to go – but take plenty of money as there is so much to do you’ll need it!
WHITBY Yorkshire
Sitting on the Yorkshire coast, Whitby is a traditional seaside town but not in the arcade and fairground sense. It takes a far more genteel approach. The town is split in two by the River Esk and has a pretty working harbour and plenty of shops. Whitby always makes a grand seaside day out; West Cliff Beach is a favourite with families and is backed by traditional beach huts. Captain
Cook was born nearby and lived in a house in the town which is now the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and the Church of St
Mary sits atop the East Cliff and is reached by a climb up the famous 199 steps. Also on the East Cliff, you will find the ruins of Gothic Whitby Abbey, which was part of the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s legendary horror novel, Dracula.
SKEGNESS Lincolnshire
Skeggy might not be the most fashionable seaside resort, but it’s still a massively popular holiday destination. It’s the largest resort town on the Lincolnshire coast and boasts awardwinning sandy beaches where parents can sit in deck chairs while the kids dig in the sand. There is a promenade and a great seafront, plus a pier and fairground attractions. Near the centre you'll find the famous clock tower and Jolly Fisherman sculpture and there are plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Skegness can get very busy on summer days and the beach very crowded but it has all the ingredients for a great seaside experience.
GREAT YARMOUTH Norfolk
Great Yarmouth is every bit a traditional seaside resort but is close to the famous Norfolk Broads too. The town has been a recognised seaside resort since 1760 and is well versed in looking after its many visitors. The town has a superb and large sandy beach where you can soak in the sun and let the kids play to their hearts' content. There are two piers to enjoy: Britannia (which is a Grade II listed building) and Wellington, and both are worth a look. Great Yarmouth front is known as the Golden Mile and has arcades and fairground rides as well as numerous other holiday attractions, including the Merrivale Model Village.
BRIGHTON East Sussex
Brighton is one of the south coast’s most famous seaside resort towns. It is in fact a city as it joined with neighbouring Hove in 2000 to form the City of Brighton and Hove. Despite its size it still retains the charm and excitement of a traditional beach resort and as it is due south of London (and only an hour or so’s car journey away), it is a very popular destination for summer daytrippers and longer-term holidaymakers. On hot days the long pebble beach is simply stuffed full of sunseekers and families enjoying the sea air. There is even a nudist beach east of the resort! At one time, Brighton had two piers but only the Palace Pier remains now. Here you will find fairground rides and arcades. The resort has a lovely seafront walk and an excellent shopping area.
WEYMOUTH Dorset
In many ways, Weymouth is the quintessential English holiday town with a pleasing, slight
tackiness alongside the considerable charm of its Georgian architecture and seafront attractions. The town was a very early holiday resort, made fashionable by King George III who came here bathing – his chalk figure is on a hill on the approach to the town. The sandy beach is very gently shelving, making it ideal for young children, though it can take quite a while to get deep enough for grown-ups to have a swim!
NEWQUAY Cornwall
Despite its reputation as a hedonistic haven for stag and hen parties, Newquay hasn’t lost its family appeal. It boasts a really friendly zoo, that makes up in atmosphere for being relatively small in size and its numerous beaches are always popular. Fistral is the Wembley Stadium of surfing so make sure you bring a board. Other water-based attractions include Blue Reef Aquarium and the Waterworld swim park.