Beach holidays
As soon as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, no matter what the thermometer says, most of us will head to one of our lovely English beaches. Whether it’s for bracing walks in winter, for heat-hazed holidays in the midst of summer, or for getting out in those precious fleeting moments of warmth in spring and autumn, the beaches in England are a magnet. Couples and families, dog walkers and solitary thinkers all find space by the sea. The sound of the surf soothes the soul, and days lazing on those sandy beaches in England make everything seem alright again.
Catch some waves at Woolacombe Beach
North Devon has some of the county’s most popular family beaches, including award-winning Woolacombe.
Location: Woolacombe, Devon
Action packed watersports at Camber Sands
Kite-flyers and windsurfers of all ages and abilities should head to Camber Sands - a dramatic sandy beach on the south coast, and the perfect spot to catch the waves.
Location: Camber Sands, East Sussex
Explore The Grand Pier of Weston-super-Mare
Relive happy childhood memories of eating ice creams, skimming stones and skipping along piers in Weston-super-Mare.
Location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Take a dip in Bude Sea Pool
Take the whole family to this part man-made, part natural sea pool which nestles under the cliffs at Summerleaze beach in Bude.
Location: Bude, Cornwall
Go all One Direction in North Somerset
Visit Clevedon Pier where boy band One Direction filmed their ‘You and I’ video and cruise on the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.
Location: Clevedon, North Somerset
Mermaids, dinosaurs and pirate adventure on the Yorkshire Coast
Hunt for fossils on the beach or solve the mermaid mystery and sail on a pirate ship. Go on a dinosaur walk or explore the Maritime Trail.
Location: Scarborough, North/East Yorkshire
Take time for yourself at Tinside Lido
Take a dip in the 1930s art deco outdoor Tinside Lido, where you can go for a dip or relax with a snack.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Get Your Blood pumping in Newquay
With iconic surfing beaches, this town a favourite holiday destination for fun in the sun, and anything else the weather might throw at you.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
5 of the best beaches for wildlife spotting
From fluffy seal pups, to bottlenose dolphins and soaring sea birds, England's beaches are great places to see nature at its very best.