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
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.
These five beaches really are in England!
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Whisk yourself away to a warmer, sunnier climate without leaving the country at one of these stunning English beaches.
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
Art Deco chic and coastal fun
Discover Morecambe Bay’s stunning sunsets and natural landscapes, and unearth your adventurous side with a range of exhilarating outdoor activities.
Location: Morecambe Bay, Lancashire
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
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
Channel your inner artist in the South Downs
Create your own artistic masterpiece at one of the South Downs’ most scenic locations, with stunning views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Trip-trap along the Red Squirrel Trail
This family-friendly cycle and walking path encompasses an exciting trail of artwork, sculpture and trolls under bridges.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Go glamping in a gypsy cabin this summer
Experience a summer holiday with a difference this year by staying in a quirky Gypsy Cabin style pod just 15 minutes away from Whitby.
Location: Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
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
Bask in the traditional charm of Shanklin Seafront
Shanklin Seafront is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular seaside resorts, with loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Discover sharks, seals and summer fun in Great Yarmouth
From mysterious creatures of the deep to sandcastles and donkey rides, Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile has it all.
Location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Head to Salcombe for butterscotch beaches and electric blue water
A haven for yachties and those who prefer to keep their deck shoes firmly on dry land.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
Peel away the layers of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Trace a history that goes back millions of years as you meander Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast, England’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
Location: Dorset
Mix heritage with designer chic by the sea in Portsmouth
Treat yourself to a waterfront break where you can delve into history while still enjoying a spot of designer retail therapy.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Go rugged and budget in Cornwall
Newly renovated, situated on the rugged cornish coast and cheap as chips.
Location: Boscastle, Cornwall
Try Plymouth's Historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour
An essential first port of call, a bustling community of specialist shops, restaurants, and world-class attractions, all in a picturesque harbourside.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Discover why artists and chefs alike love Hastings’ fishing fleet
Explore East Sussex’s maritime heritage on Hastings Stade, home to fishermen for over 1000 years, inspiration to J. M. W. Turner and Rick Stein.
Location: Hastings, East Sussex
Discover the Witterings on a coastal break
Spot multi-coloured sailing boats, follow your nose in fudge shops and snuggle down in cosy pubs on a visit to The Witterings.
Location: Witterings, West Sussex
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
Discover Aldeburgh's maritime past and cultural links
A favourite holiday destination since Victorian times, Aldeburgh on Suffolk’s Heritage Coast is also a magnet for musicians, artists and writers.
Location: Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Get active on the Isles of Scilly
Don't let Scilly's tranquility fool you – there is a huge range of outdoor activities to keep every member of the family occupied.
Location: Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
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