Glories of secret britain

20 unspoilt seaside gems you must visit by Jenny Coad

ALL this week, in a series of superb pull-outs for you to collect, the Mail is revealing 100 Glories of Secret Britain: the wonderful sights across the country too few of us know about or visit. Use them to make the most of your summer and enjoy some of Britain’s lesser-known gems — without the crowds. Today, 20 unsung glories of our coasts . . .

BOTANY BAY

BROADSTAIRS, KENT CT10 3LG Remember that BT ad promoting the Olympics and Paralympics with Jessica ennis-Hill running along the beach?

That was filmed in beautiful botany bay, once a renowned location for 18th century smugglers to bring in contraband.

between broadstairs and margate, this beach (above) with its huge chalk stacks and towering cliffs, is an atmospheric and impressive backdrop to a day at the sea- side. It’s also a blue Flag beach, with clean (if chilly) sea swimming, making it ideal for families. When the tide is out, it’s also a good spot for fossil hunting and rock pool dipping. At the top of the cliff, you can have a pot of tea and homemade cake in botany bay Tea Gardens.

WHERE TO EAT: Walk to broadstairs (roughly 20 minutes) and try a meal at Osteria Posillipo, a traditional and buzzy Italian (01843 601133, posillipo.co.uk). Further afield is the michelin- starred pub, The Sportsman at Seasalter, ( 01227 273370, thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk)

WHERE TO STAY: The elegant Reading Rooms in margate where a comfortable double will cost from £ 150 b& b ( 01843 225166, thereadingroomsmargate.co.uk).

WHAT’S NEARBY? Lots of wonderful coastal walks — try Dumpton Gap beach, with its parade of jaunty beach huts, to Ramsgate (when the tide is out).

LITTLEHAMPTON

WEST SUSSEX, BN17 5GB THIS attractive harbour town boasts the UK’s longest beach — east beach — as well as, perhaps, one of its most unusual looking cafes on the same stretch.

The steel structure designed by Thomas Heatherwick who created the Olympic Cauldron, was inspired by a piece of driftwood and its sinuous shape emulates waves, sand and shells.

For a relaxed day on the sand, take the ferry over to West beach, a nature reserve and Area of Special Scientific Interest, with its sand flats, shingle, dunes and varied birdlife. Noisier fun can be had at Harbour Park, a fun fair next to Littlehampton marina.

WHERE TO EAT: On Littlehampton east beach at east beach Cafe, as described above, which offers fresh seafood and expansive sea views, ( 01903 731903,

eastbeachcafe.co.uk).

WHERE TO STAY: Pretty Seabeach House, which is on the South Downs and within easy reach of Chichester and Arundel, (01243 537944, bandbatseabeachhouse.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The market town Arundel, with its restored 12th century castle overlooking the river Arun, (01903 882173, arundelcastle.org)

SHEPHERD’S CHINE

ISLE OF WIGHT, PO38 WEST of popular Ventnor, visited by Dickens and known for its alluring microclimate, are more secluded beaches. Pass Chale to Shepherd’s Chine and Whale’s Chine — both of which are only accessible on foot from military Road — and you’ll find sand backed by daunting cliffs.

both beaches are good spots for fossil hunting in the cliffs and, at low tide, you might even spot dinosaur footprints.

even on a squally day, this coastal stretch will enthral. Take a picnic and enjoy the sunset. For those who want to make waves, brook beach, further west, is good for kite and wind-surfing.

At low tide, a fossilised forest appears at Hanover Point, beyond which you can see more evidence of the time when dinosaurs

roamed. Scrabble about at the cliffs and you might even find three-toed casts belonging to the Iguanodon.

WHERE TO EAT: About half a mile’s walk along the cliffs from Ventnor is Steephill Cove beach shack, offering a Thai twist on classic beach food, New Forest ice- creams and homemade cakes. (thebeachshack-ventnor.co.uk)

WHERE TO STAY: The campsite at Chine Farm is convenient for the beach — it overlooks Shepherd’s Chine. Pitch fee, £7. ( 01983 740901, chine-farm.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The Isle of Wight Coastal path is 67 miles long and the stretch from Tennyson Down, west of Shepherd’s Chine, to the Needles is one of the best loved routes. The poet Alfred Tennyson moved to Farringford House near Freshwater in 1854 and strode out from here.

PLEMONT BEACH

JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS, JE3 2BD THIS beautiful sandy cove on Jersey’s most northern tip is known for its rock pools, caves (all of which appear at low tide) and protective cliffs. Access is via steep stairs, which keeps it crowd-free.

Surfing and swimming are both popular sports here, depending on the sea conditions.

WHERE TO EAT: Plemont Beach cafe on the cliff above the beach which serves Jersey crab, cream teas and Jersey’s Liberation Ale.

WHERE TO STAY: The Atlantic in St Brelade has a Michelin-starred restaurant and is the only Atlantic-facing hotel on Jersey with views over St Ouen’s Bay and the wildlife conservation area. Rooms from £100 per night, including breakfast. (01534 744101, theatlantichotel.com)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The eerie War Tunnels and the underground hospital in St Lawrence tell the chilling story of the island’s occupation during World War II. (01534 860808, Jerseywartunnels.com)

PORTHCURNICK BEACH

ROSELAND PENINSULAR, CORNWALL, TR2 5EW UNDER a mile north of the attractive little fishing village, Portscatho, with its whitewashed cottages, harbour and 13th century church, you’ll find southeast-facing Porthcurnick Beach.

It’s not just an appealing stretch of sand, it’s the site of a pre- historic submerged forest.

You might even uncover fossilised roots, stumps and acorns. Archaeologists have also found iron-age pottery, dating from around 2nd century BC. At low tide, rock pools appear and small adjacent beaches are accessible nearby.

WHERE TO EAT: Hidden Hut, a shed on Porthcurnick beach, is open from March to October for locally-sourced snacks and lunch (it closes at 5pm). Hidden Hut hosts feast nights throughout the summer where you bring your own cutlery and wine and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere. ( hiddenhut.co.uk) Tickets for feast nights at seetickets.com.

WHERE TO STAY: Channel New England charm at the Driftwood Hotel, Rosevine, Portscatho, which has a Michelin-starred restaurant. Rooms from £205 a night b&b. (01872 580644, driftwoodhotel.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, plus the South West Coast Path for some seriously scenic walks.

PORTHCHAPEL BEACH

CORNWALL: TR19 6JS SKIP well known and often crowded Porthcurno beach and head to sheltered Porthchapel next door.

This sandy stretch is under a mile from the small village of Porthgwarra and buttressed by granite cliffs. It’s popular among locals and rarely full, as access is via a slim cliff path and you have to scramble over rocks to reach the sand. Visitors might be lucky enough to see seals, which swim offshore.

WHERE TO EAT: At the Minack Theatre Cafe above Porthcurno beach, which offers Cornish cream teas, light snacks and far- reaching sea views. ( minack.com)

WHERE TO STAY: Unique Home Stays offers luxury self-catering cottages along this stretch of coast, like Seasalt near Sennen Cove, around a ten minute drive from Porthchapel Beach. Seasalt costs from £695 for a three-night weekend stay. (01637 881183, uniquehomestays.com).

WHAT’S NEARBY? The staggering Minack Theatre conceived and built in the 1930s by Rowena Cade — who lived in Minack House — and her gardener in the cliffs above Porthcurno. The first performance was Shakespeare’s The Tempest. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is on this summer with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

PENTLE BAY

TRESCO, SCILLY ISLES, TR24 WHITE sand, clear turquoise water, a gently scooping shoreline — Pentle Bay on well-manicured Tresco, 30 miles south west of Land’s End, has all the romance of a Caribbean beach but without the accompanying jetlag.

The island’s warm climate makes for pleasurable sea-swimming and this is the perfect place to spend the day loafing on the sand. It’s also a Site of Special Scietific Interest because of the unusual combination of dunes and heathland.

WHERE TO EAT: Ruin Beach cafe, so called because it was built around a ruinedsmuggler’s cottage, has a wood-fired pizza oven delivering roasts, fish and bread as well as pizzas. (01720 424 849 tresco.co.uk)

WHERE TO STAY: Sea Garden Cottages

overlooking Old Grimsby beach offer sea views and there’s an indoor swimming pool for guests. Larger cottages which sleep six to ten are available from £1,615 per week. (01720 422 849,

tresco.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The 19th century Abbey Gardens, visited by Prince Charles and Princess Diana when she was pregnant with Prince William, with its collection of ships’ figureheads and over 20,000 exotic plants. The wilder Isle of Bryher, is an inter-island boat ride away.

MERSEA ISLAND

COLCHESTER, ESSEX, CO58 DIMINUTIVE mersea Island (it’s only eight miles square), Britain’s most easterly inhabited island, between the Colne and Blackwater rivers is accessible from the mainland via The Strood causeway. It is sometimes cut off by high tides.

Come here for crabbing, estuary views, mudflats, shell-filled beaches like mersea Stone, delicious fresh oysters and old world charm.

There are several boatyards here too and sailing is a common pastime — there is a regatta, which has been running since 1838, in West mersea in August. Stay on the island and after the day trippers have left, you will feel you have it to yourself.

WHERE TO EAT: The Company Shed, West mersea, which is renowned for its sublime seafood and locally- sourced alcohol — they serve mersea Island beer and wine. (01206 382 700, thecompanyshed.co)

WHERE TO STAY: monkey Beach Cottage, a 300-year-old grade II listed house and one of the oldest on the island, has sea views and lovely monkey Beach is on the doorstep. Prices start from £600 for a week’s stay. ( 07973 741 148,

monkeybeachcottage.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? West of mersea Island is Blackwater estuary national nature Reserve, home to thousands of wetland and migratory birds. Look out for the red-beaked oyster-catchers.

FRESHWATER WEST

PEMBROKESHIRE, SA71 5AH You might recognise Fresh Water West Beach from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — it was the backdrop to Dobby’s intricate shell cottage, which was built on the beach.

It is no longer here but the beach is still a scene stealer. This is an excellent surf spot (some say the best in Wales) and the venue for the Welsh national Surf Championships.

There are dangerous rip tides, so these are not waves for beginners.

The beach is backed by dunes and has rock pools plus acres of sand for castle building. The northern end offers quieter bays and there’s a rocky reef at the other end.

WHERE TO EAT: Cafe mor offers fresh lobster and crab rolls as well as burgers from its jaunty trailer in the car park at Freshwater West. Open until October. ( www.beachfood.co.uk)

WHERE TO STAY: Historic monkton Old Hall, which overlooks Pembroke Castle and has an edwardian open fireplace. A three night stay in September costs from £1,038 and it sleeps seven. (01628 825925,

landmarktrust.org.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? Pembroke castle, built on an imposing spot on the river Cleddau. It was the birthplace of Henry VII.

BLAKENEY

NORFOLK, NR25 7NW The pretty village of Blakeney with its flint houses and pleasure craft presides over swathes of soothing marshland, mudflats, creeks and channels all of which make for wonderful walks whatever the weather.

even in the height of summer you can forge out and not see another soul. Blakeney harbour is livelier and the place to go crabbing. Blakeney Point (accessed from Cley Beach) is home to a colony of seals, an old lifeboat house and offers sweeping views back to the village.

WHERE TO EAT: The newly refurbished Hoste Arms in swanky Burnham market, which has an airy Garden Room

and offers afternoon tea. (01328 738777,

thehoste.com)

WHERE TO STAY: Quayside Blakeney Hotel has views across the estuary and salt marshes plus extensive facilities — swimming pool, sun terrace and gym. Rooms cost from £95 a night, b&b. (01263 740797,

blakeney-hotel.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? Wild Holme Dunes, where The Wash meets the sea, attracts migrating birds and will entrance twitchers. Follow the Norfolk Coast Path alongside Stiffkey marshes towards Blakeney for magical views.

ANDERBY CREEK

ANDERBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, PE24

ANDeRBy Creek isn’t just a wide, wild stretch of sand and dunes on the east coast between Mablethorpe and Skegness, it’s also home to the world’s first cloudspotting area — the Cloud Bar, where you can identify different formations and buy cloud- themed products from its shop. ( cloudappreciationsociety.org).

WHERE TO EAT: The cafe at Claythorpe Watermill serves sandwiches and snacks and there’s a Lincolnshire tea room above the mill race, where the old water wheel would have turned. Open to visitors of the Watermill. ( claythorpewatermill.com)

WHERE TO STAY: Quaint Orchard Cottage, near Skegness, is located in the grounds of grand 18th century Gunby Hall and Gardens and costs from £261 for a two nights stay. (0344 335 1287, nationaltrustholidays.org.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The lovely Lincolnshire Wolds, much of which is designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as the rolling landscape, it has a full-sized steam railway, working watermill on the edge of Alford, 13th century castle, Bolingbroke, and plenty of trails for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. See lincswolds.org.uk for details.

CLOUGHTON WYKE

CLOUGHTON, YORKSHIRE, YO13 OAP

NORTH of Scarborough, along this verdant, craggy stretch of coastline is the small village of Cloughton and the secluded bay of Hayburn Wykes.

you can follow the Cleveland Way National Trail above the cliffs, between the two.

Cloughton is good for scrambling and hunting for fossils, while Hayburn has a wider bay accessed through ferny woodland and a double waterfall, where you can pause to rinse off salt and sand.

WHERE TO EAT: The Pie Parlour on Chapel Street in Robin Hood’s Bay for classic pie, mash and mushy peas. you can take a picnic pie away from here too.

WHERE TO STAY: The Old Coastguard Station in the 17th century fishing village Robin Hood’s Bay is right above the sand and costs from £242 for a three-night stay. (0344 335 1287, nationaltrustholidays.org.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The spectacular North yorks Moors National Park is on your doorstep and Whitby, with its haunting abbey, is around five miles north of Robin Hood’s Bay.

SANDWOOD BAY KINLOCHBERVIE, SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND, IV27 4RU

ACCESS to this beach on Scotland’s northwest coast is for the committed — it’s a four mile walk from the car park at the hamlet of Blairmore (IV27 4RU) through flat moorland.

Once there, it offers over a mile of dunes, pink tinged sand, a fresh water loch, Sandwood and its ruined cottage, towering cliffs and an imposing seastack called Am Buachaille.

WHERE TO EAT: The restaurant at Mackay’s which features locally- sourced food, some from the owner’s own farm. Details as below.

WHERE TO STAY: Mackay’s offers a variety of accommodation in North West Scotland — from the eco croft, Shore cottage (£1,500 for a week’s stay) to boutique hotel Mackay’s (rooms from £110 per night, b&b). (01971511 202, visitdurness.com)

WHAT’S NEARBY? Durness, which also boasts gorgeous beaches, strutting cliffs and is a good place from which to explore the lovely surrounding landscape.

TALISKER BAY

ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND

ON the west coast of Skye, at the foot of Glen Oraid, this dramatic beach with its grey rocks, daunting cliffs, sea stacks and a natural waterfall is a thrill.

It’s about a 20 minute walk from the car park at the head of a single track road — under five miles from the village of Carbost. On your way to the beach, look out for 18th century Talisker house, visited by Boswell and Johnson on their tour of the Hebrides. Be sure to visit the beach when the tide is out.

WHERE TO EAT: The main attraction of the Three Chimneys is its Michelin- starred restaurant, where you can dine at the kitchen table. Details as below.

WHERE TO STAY: The peacefully located Three Chimneys in Colbost, Dunvegan, which has sea views and rooms at £345 per night including full Scottish breakfast and afternoon tea. ( 01470 511 258,

threechimneys.co.uk)

WHAT’S NEARBY? The village of Carbost where famous Talisker whisky is distilled, plus the Fairy Pools, with their waterfalls and clear, bracing depths.

WHITEROCKS BEACH

PORTRUSH, N. IRELAND, BT56

THIS expansive Blue Flag beach, within walking distance of the seaside resort of Portrush, is backed by limestone cliffs that stand sentinel from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. The serious swell attracts surfers and sea kayakers, but there’s plenty of room for everyone.

The coast has been eroded by wind and sea into all sorts of intriguing caves and arches, Shelagh’s Head, the Wishing Arc, elephant Rock and Lion’s Paw among them.

WHERE TO EAT: Bushmills Inn also has an award-winning restaurant and you can sing along to music in the Gas Bar. Details as below.

WHERE TO STAY: Rustic Bushmills Inn Hotel, a 17th century coaching inn. Rooms cost from £128 per night, b&b. (028 2073 3000,

bushmillsinn.com)

WHAT’S NEARBY? Medieval Dunluce castle and the famously inspiring basalt columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway further along the Causeway Coast.