The best beaches and coastal breaks in England
Plan your break to England’s best seaside towns and beaches with our expertly curated itineraries exploring some of England’s best coastal getaways. England’s coastline is packed with surprises, from dramatic ruins and remote nature reserves to music festivals and beach saunas. Soak up the bright lights of Blackpool, uncover layers of history in Northumberland, tick off Cornwall’s surf spots and make a mid-week dash to the coolest seaside towns near London. Discover some of the UK’s best beaches with our expert guides to the English coast.
The Creative Coast: Arty seaside towns and cool cuisine in South East England
Explore seaside towns and beaches near London
More cultural experiences in England
Featured event: Broadstairs Food Festival
Celebrate local food at this free autumn event on the Kent coast. Indulge in Canterbury cheeses, Thai street food, artisan pastries and many more tasty treats from 3rd to the 5th of October,
The Nature Coast: Seaside escapes and wildlife encounters in the East of England
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More nature and wildlife experiences in England
Unique coastal experiences
The Historic Coast: Castles and fishing villages on the North East coast
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More historical places to visit in England
Local recommendations
The Outdoor Coast: Walking, cycling and sea safaris in South West England
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More outdoor adventures in England
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The Classic Coast: Seaside resorts and fairground thrills in North West England
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More classic coastal attractions in England
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FAQs
There are hundreds of coastal walks across England, including the 630-mile South West Coast Path, from Poole in Dorset to Minehead in Somerset. One of the most unforgettable coastline walks, however, is the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, a three-mile crossing from mainland Northumberland to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. What makes this walk so special is that it is only possible during times of low tide, which means it’s essential to only make the crossing when it is safe to do so. For more beach walk inspiration, check out the National Trust and the King Charles III England Coast Path websites.
Whilst there’s not many better ways to spend a day on England’s coast than walking your dog on the beach, it is important to remember that not all of the beaches in the country are dog-friendly all year-round.
Some of the best beaches for dogs in the country are on the southwest coast. Top dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall include Mexico Towans Beach in Hayle and Harlyn Bay Beach near Padstow. Whilst the best beaches suitable for dogs in Devon include Saunton Sands in Saunton and Ness Cove Beach near Shaldon.
Elsewhere in the country, Holkham Beach in Norfolk is a great place to take your four-legged friends, and Bamburgh Castle Beach in Northumberland is a favourite for dog walkers.
There are so many great beaches in Cornwall. Places like Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay are particularly popular and often crowded in peak season, but luckily there are plenty of lesser-known beaches and coastal areas to explore.
The beaches in and around Porthleven on Cornwall’s south west coast are a great example. Much of the coastline here is part of Cornwall’s National Landscape, including the fine white sands of Praa Beach.
Elsewhere in Cornwall, Coverack Beach, Kennack Sands Beach, and Mullion and Polurrian Cove in The Lizard Peninsula are all incredible beaches waiting to be explored.
The twin villages of Cawsand and Kingsand are picture-perfect. In the Rame Peninsula, the golden sands of Whitsand Bay and Tregonhawke Beach are breathtaking, and a visit to Rame Head is a must. Make time to discover the historic maritime village of Charlestown, which you might recognise from Poldark, Doctor Who, or Alice in Wonderland.
England is blessed with so many coastal towns and seaside resorts. If you’re wanting a classic English seaside experience, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Blackpool, Skegness in Lincolnshire, or Weymouth in Dorset.
If you’re after a coastal break full of culture and character, then look no further than Whitby in North Yorkshire, Brighton, Hastings in East Sussex, Southport in the Liverpool City Region, Southwold in Suffolk, or Madonna’s personal favourite – Margate.
Some hidden gems on England’s coast include Seahouses in Northumberland, Dungeness in Kent, Formby in the Liverpool City Region, West Mersea in Essex, Salcombe in Devon, Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire and Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria.
Fishing is firmly anchored in England’s maritime heritage, and our fishing villages – with their bobbing boats and harbourside cottages – keep this tradition alive today. Get reeled in by fishing villages such as Seahouses and Alnmouth in Northumberland, or wander Staithes’ charming cobbled streets on the North Yorkshire coast. Cornwall’s peaceful fishing villages like Cadgwith and Portloe bring the drama with their steep valley setting, while the fishing town of Brixham in South Devon buzzes with pirate festivals and trawler racing. For fishing villages in Norfolk, head to Cley next the Sea and Brancaster Staithe for fresh seafood and coastal views that’ll have you hooked (line and sinker!).
Useful coastal resources
Learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe at the coast and in the water with advice from the RNLI
England’s Coast is an easy-to-use travel website that helps you discover, plan and book memorable trips to England’s beautiful seaside destinations.
Around 2,700 miles long, The King Charles III England Coast Path is a new National Trail that, once complete, will be an almost continuous walking route around the entire English coastline, linking beaches, cliffs, harbours and seaside towns into one of the world’s longest managed coastal walks.
England’s diverse coastline is home to many different habitats. Discover more about them with the Wildlife Trust, along with information on how you can help protect these special places for future generations.
Historic England’s Seaside Stories invites you to share photos, memories and information about cherished historic coastal places as part of the Missing Pieces project, helping to build a richer picture of England’s seaside heritage.
The National Trust cares for more than 890 miles of the UK’s coastline, inviting you to explore sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and scenic seaside walks with plenty of ideas for days out along the shore.
HM Coastguard is the UK’s national maritime emergency service - offering 24/7 help to those in distress around our coastline or at sea, 365 days a year. Explore their helpful tips on coastal safety.
