The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Find your ideal British beach
CLASSIC RESORTS
Fistral is well known to surfers and there are plenty of opportunities to learn how to join them. Fistral Beach Surf School runs lessons for kids and adults (from £40 for two hours, 01637 850737; fistralbeachsurfschool.co.uk), or you can just kick back and watch the experts. If a child-free few days appeals, then check into Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, which operates an adult-only policy and has stunning beach views from the restaurant and some of the bedrooms (rooms from £105; 01637 852221; fistralbeachhotel.co.uk).
NORTH BAY
Scarborough
Britain’s original seaside resort still attracts thousands of holidaymakers each year, but while 17th-century visitors came to Scarborough to take the North Yorkshire town’s mineral waters, today’s visitors are more interested in its clean golden sands, amusement arcades and charming, twisting old-town lanes. North Bay beach is slightly less commercialised than South Bay, but still comes with a vast sweep of sand. Opened in 2020, the
Bike and Boot Hotel (doubles from £71; 01723 655555; bikeandboot.com/ scarborough) is dog-friendly and affordable, with a guaranteed warm welcome for muddy boots and sandy surfboards.
SAUNDERSFOOT
Pembrokeshire
The postcard-perfect beaches and villages of South Pembrokeshire may get busy, but they are brimming with oldworld character and Saundersfoot is no exception. Its wide, sandy beach has everything for a perfect sunny day, with lifeguards from June to September and even an ice-cream van. You can also pick up windbreaks, buckets, spades and beach toys in the lovely harbour village, where there’s a good selection of pubs and shops to break up the day. For a room with a view, check into St Brides Spa Hotel (doubles from £200 B&B; 01570 470785; rarebits.co.uk).
PORTSTEWART STRAND
Antrim
Backed by 6,000-year-old sand dunes and with a shoreline stretching for two miles, the town of Portstewart has long been a popular spot for Northern Irish residents to descend on for the weekend. Looked after by the National Trust, its beach has Blue Flag status and offers views of the clifftop Mussenden Temple to the west and Inishowen peninsula beyond, making it a great place for a summer’s walk or picnic. At the eastern end of the beach, Harry’s Shack serves locally-brewed beer and fresh seafood. Stay at Me & Mrs Jones (doubles from £212; meandmrsjonesportstewart.com).
WEST WITTERING
West Sussex
Generations of families have visited the uspoiled sands of West Wittering to enjoy views of the South Downs and Chichester Harbour. Its popularity means a belt and braces approach is advised, however: don’t visit by car unless you’ve booked a parking space. Consider taking the Salterns Way cycle path from Chichester town centre. Or rent a beach house: you can book the one-bed Surfer’s Retreat in nearby Bracklesham (from £130 through Boutique Beach; boutiquebeach.co.uk).