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
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.
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
Sharks, seals and summer fun in Great Yarmouth
From terrifying monsters of the deep to sandcastles and donkey rides, Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile has it all.
Location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Discover the Witterings on a coastal break
Enjoy multi-coloured sailing boats, fudge shops and cosy pubs on a visit to The Witterings.
Location: Witterings, West Sussex
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
Deckchairs, pirates and runaway trains at Shanklin seafront
Shanklin seafront has loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
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
Go glamping near the White Cliffs of Dover
Cosy up together in a tipi under the stars on a romantic glamping holiday on Kent’s iconic seaside coast.
Location: Dover, Kent
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
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
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
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
Explore the bustling harbour at Maryport
Watch brightly-coloured trawlers unload the days’ catch, enjoy a bracing walk or coastal cycle, sample locally caught fish or go to a festival.
Location: Maryport, Cumbria
Discover the seaside charm of South Shields
The picturesque coastal resort of South Shields is full of quintessentially English seaside experiences, gorgeous sea views and good food.
Location: South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Catch some sun on a royal beach
Queen Victoria chose the Isle of Wight as her favourite holiday destination, and now you can see why with a trip to her private beach.
Location: East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Get your vintage chic on at Dreamland Margate
Indulge in an 'old fashioned yet oh so fashionable' break in the UK's trendiest seaside resort
Location: Margate, Kent
Fun for all the family in Scarborough
Explore Scarborough’s North Bay with its glorious sandy beach and wealth of seaside attractions.
Location: North Bay, Scarborough, North/East Yorkshire
Witness Northumberland’s violent history at its coastal castles
The Northumberland coastline is strewn with castles and time-ravaged ruins, providing great insight into the county's turbulent past.
Location: Craster and Warkworth, Northumberland
A coastal break with a unique twist
Swap a standard double for a balancing barn or geometric house, both are worthy of spot on Grand Designs.
Location: Thorrington & Thorpeness, Suffolk
Holiday amongst the clouds
For a fairytale holiday on the Suffolk Coast, drop your bags off at The House in the Clouds, a weird and wonderful holiday home.
Location: Thorpeness, Suffolk
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
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