Intensive sandy seashores backed by boardwalks and memento retailers and quieter, rougher seashores await between these 5 resort cities. See which one most accurately fits your subsequent automobile or practice journey with classic leisure, watersports and fish and chips on supply while you arrive.
Every vacation spot under has a Blue Flag seashore, as acknowledged by the 2023 listing. These are seashores designated as “assembly the very best environmental requirements” and “worldwide bathing water high quality requirements”. Begin planning for a sunny day.
Weymouth, Dorset, England
This Dorset resort on the Jurassic Coast has loads of seashores close by, however the apparent alternative is the three-mile Blue Flag Weymouth Seashore.
The sandy bend is missed by a Georgian seafront promenade, proper within the metropolis centre. It is so massive and lengthy which you can at all times discover a spacious spot and the water is definitely accessible – making it supreme for swimming (when it is heat sufficient), writes Amy Burns.
There are many old style pastimes to take pleasure in in Weymouth, together with paddle boats and a land practice. Choose up buckets and spades and items of stone from the various retailers alongside the promenade, or head to Cove Gallery on Trinity Road for unique work, prints and glassware from native artists and makers.
Southwold, Suffolk, England
Head to Southwold’s Blue Flag seashore for mounds of sentimental sand, writes Sarah Baxter. She suggests beginning your day on the 190-foot pier after which strolling previous the seashore huts. Another choice is Denes Seashore, a rougher stretch that pulls windsurfers.
If the ocean air has whetted your urge for food, head to Sole Bay Fish Firm. It serves an area catch of tacos, seafood platters, lobster and oysters.
The fishmongers and takeaways are situated within the harbor from the place you’ll be able to take the rowing boat to Walberswick, a seaside village on the mouth of the River Blyth. Right here you can find cottages painted in pastel colours in addition to a robust assortment of cafes and pubs. As well as, the Blyth River Estuary has a nature protect that spans over 1,000 acres and offers a habitat for otters, deer, and plenty of species of birds.
Whitby, Yorkshire, England
Whitby is one other Blue Flag winner. The principle stretch is West Cliff Seashore, which is 2 miles lengthy. The smaller, sheltered choice is Tate Hills Seashore.
Collectively, Whitby and the close by village of Robin Hood’s Bay declare a few of the most dramatic cliffs in England, writes Molly Blackall.
There are centuries of historical past to find within the metropolis, and a contact of fantasy; as soon as residence to monks who inhabited the traditional Whitby Abbey, it was additionally the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland
The seaside resort of Dunbar on the North Sea deserves the highlight. It enjoys extra solar (and fewer rain) than elsewhere in Scotland and in line with analysis from iis the UK’s most reasonably priced seashore resort.
Fiona Laing suggests beginning a day right here with a cliff stroll west from the coated Dunbar Leisure Pool in direction of Belhaven Bay. Cease on the coast to take pleasure in one other Blue Flag seashore.
Belhaven Bay lures surfers and classes can be found for newcomers. A session with Coast to Coast Surf Faculty contains all needed tools. Hikers can strive the “bridge to nowhere” that leads you to an expanse of sand. Watch forward for the tides as it’s inaccessible at instances.
For extra sand, rock swimming pools and a boardwalk, strive East Seashore. It’s a 5 minute stroll from Dunbar’s Excessive Road and was additionally chosen as a Blue Flag seashore this yr.
Margate, Kent, England
Tracey Emin’s adopted hometown has grow to be an rising cultural vacation spot within the decade since Turner Modern opened, writes Lesley Gillian.
Primary Sands seashore has a Blue Flag, in addition to solar lounger rent in the summertime and kids’s rides. There are one other 15 seashores to pattern on Thanet Island. Take the coastal path to achieve Botany Bay for chalk cliffs or Walpole Bay for the Tidal Pool.
It is also the season to go to Dreamland, the retro theme park with a monumental railway*.
One other historic attraction is the Shell Grotto – over 4 million native shells adorn the partitions. Close to right here you can find Margate Caves. The previous chalk quarry has additionally had previous lives as a Nineteenth-century manor cave, wine cellar and, later, wartime hideout.
