England’s coasts trim the country with gorgeous ocean views and sparkling sandy beaches. Take a traditional family seaside holiday or coastal break to Woolacombe in North Devon or St Ives in Cornwall, and let the kids build a sandcastle and lick ice cream as you relax in the sun. Wander coastline trails and stay in retro beach huts on a seaside break. Enjoy a festival weekend on the Isle of Wight, go fossil hunting on the beaches of Dorset or take a sailing course along Suffolk’s coastline. Once you’ve had your fill of fun, fill your stomach with locally caught fish dishes prepared in regional styles. There’s the old English favourite; fish and chips, which can always be found on a coastal holiday. With piers like Brighton and Bournemouth offering rides and amusements, your seaside fun can last well into the evening too.
Coastal and seaside breaks
Enjoy Hampshire’s coast from the privacy of your very own fort
Experience something different with a stay at the newly refurbished No Man’s Land Fort near Gosport.
Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Blow away the cobwebs along the Northumberland coast
Get your walking boots on, pack a picnic and enjoy fresh air, stunning views and beautiful wildlife along the Northumberland Coast Path.
Location: Creswell, Northumberland
Romantic weekend breaks in Robin Hood’s Bay
How lovely darling, you’ve booked us a romantic summer break by the sea. Hang on, what do you mean, it’s a pigsty?
Location: Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
Go rugged and budget in Cornwall
Newly renovated, situated on the rugged cornish coast and cheap as chips.
Location: Boscastle, Cornwall
Enjoy shopping and culture on a city break by the sea
Whether you’re looking for top notch restaurants or bohemian independent shopping, Brighton offers urban glamour by the bucket load.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Have a retro holiday at Butlins
At Butlins in Skegness you can have a good ol’ fashioned seaside holiday with a Blue Flag sandy beach on your doorstep.
Location: Skegness, Lincolnshire
Discover spectacular Lundy Island
A rare experience is to be found on the beautiful and wild Lundy Island just 12 miles off the North Devon Coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
Location: Lundy, Devon
Relax and reconnect on a romantic Cornish coastal break
It’s all about you and your time together at Headland Hotel and Spa, where you can connect with each other, the ocean and the wild Cornish coastline.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Remind yourself of life’s simple pleasures on a budget break
Contrary to popular belief, you can visit Scilly on a budget. Sail over on the ferry and camp with your family – the beaches and views are free!
Location: Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
Explore Lancashire's great coastline
With its stunning sunsets, wonderful wildlife and infinite skies, Morecambe Bay is a photographer’s dream.
Location: Fleetwood, Lancashire
Enjoy a day out at Bridlington
Bridlington for fantastic beaches, award winning promenades, attractions, ice cream and fish and chips. Come and see why generations return yearly.
Location: Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire
Building sandcastles and rock-pooling at Seaburn beach
Experience the natural beauty, dramatic sky and bracing sea air, and indulge in fish and chips and ice-creams from the cafes along the seafront.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Be seduced by ritzy Blackpool and its mighty Tower
Soar to dizzying heights at Blackpool Tower, whirl around on its famous dance floor and be dazzled by ‘the greatest free light show on earth’.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
A beach hut seaside break for all the family
Celebrate or relax with friends and family in one of St Anne’s Beach Huts’ chic and stylish seaside abodes in Lancashire.
Location: St Annes, Lancashire
Treat yourself to a stay at boutique bolthole The Cary Arms
Enjoy chic seaside life at ‘the Inn on the beach’ and a warm welcome at boutique hotel The Cary Arms in Babbacombe.
Location: Babbacombe, Devon
Soak up the sights along Kent’s award-winning sandy beaches
Come and enjoy the laid-back vibe, breathtaking sandy beaches and classic seaside heritage of three of England’s best-loved seaside resorts.
Location: Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, Kent
Enjoy a coastal escape at Whitsand Bay Fort
Stay in your very own lodge at this premier coastal holiday resort a few miles west of Ocean city Plymouth and east of Looe.
Location: Cornwall
Discover the quirky side of Robin Hood’s Bay
Enjoy a traditional seaside break with a twist at this old smuggling and fishing village on the North York Moors National Park coast.
Location: Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby
Take a modern day pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Skim over the sands and causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and prepare to enter a world where a wealth of history and stunning views await.
Location: Lindisfarne, Northumberland
On yer bike and explore Brighton and Hove’s great outdoors
MAMILs (‘middle-aged men in lycra’) and all other cyclists will enjoy exploring Brighton & Hove on an active holiday along the south east coast.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Be the first to hear about our offers and competitions.
The latest travel news, events and ideas for holidays and breaks in England
Customer survey …
VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website.
It should take no more than a couple of minutes.