By Parkdean Resorts on 26/03/2018
When it comes to natural beauty, Britain is abundant with lush green landscapes, mountainous backdrops and elusive valleys - and for self-confessed sun worshippers in search of beautiful beaches, the UK is home to some of the very best.
If you’re on the hunt for a beach break that doesn’t require you to cross oceans to find stunning sights and sounds galore, Britain is blessed with a huge selection of holiday hotspots - meaning you can enjoy plenty of sunshine and golden sands without ever having to board a plane.
Looking to escape the daily grind and enjoying a relaxing holiday with the whole family? Here are 10 of our favourite UK beach holiday destinations, perfect for anyone eager to book their next seaside break.
1. Small Hope Beach, Isle of Wight
Visitors to our excellent Lower Hyde, Nodes Point, Thorness Bay and Landguard holiday parks can take advantage of this picturesque beach, just a stone's throw away from the main seafront of Shanklin. Home to golden beaches, sky blue seas and quaint sun loungers, this beach is always a big hit with families looking to spend a summer’s day splashing in the surf. In fact, it’s so popular that hundreds of people even brave the freezing cold waters every year for the annual Boxing Day Swim!
With a dramatic cliff face overlooking the seafront, and colourful beach huts scattered along the sea wall, visitors will be guaranteed beautiful views at every turn. The beach huts are available for hire, and there are traditional amusement arcades along the Shanklin Esplanade - which is ideal if you’re planning to spend an entire day down by the beach.
2. Ryde Beach, Isle of Wight
Video courtesy of Marlborough Hotel
Also located on the Isle of Wight, Ryde Beach is perfect for holidaymakers, thanks to miles and miles of shore lined with pristine, near-white sands! As well as offering ample opportunities for sunbathing and sandcastle-building, there's also plenty of fun to be had in the surrounding town - where you’ll find promenades, a boating lake and water sports options aplenty.
The pier here splits the beach, and there are a wide range of exciting activities for all ages to be found in this area - not to mention incredible views of Portsmouth’s Emirates Spinnaker Tower. When it’s time for a break from the sun, you’ll find plenty of food and entertainment options nearby - including a bowling alley, an amusement arcade and a wide range of restaurants serving scrumptious local cuisine.
3. Camber Sands, East Sussex
Video Courtesy of BEMI
Right on the doorstep of Camber Sands Holiday Park is one of the best and most famous beaches in the country. Backed by wild dune landscapes, the many miles of soft, bright sands make this the perfect place for a holiday that guarantees tranquility. Over the years, Camber Sands has proven to be a popular filming location, seeing many famous faces appearing on this beautiful stretch - with the beach most notably appearing in The Monuments Men, The Invisible Woman, and The Theory of Everything.
Stretching on for miles, the sands here are perfect for family beach holidays, with everyone from adventurous windsurfers to keen sandcastle-makers pitching up here for the day in the summer months. For treasure-seekers, Camber Sands is known to be one of the best beachcombing spots in the UK. So, whether it’s a morning of adrenaline-fuelled adventure or an afternoon spent bathing on the sands, this place has it all!
4. Druridge Bay, Northumberland
One of the North's most dramatic seaside locations is Druridge Bay, which can be enjoyed by holidaymakers visiting our Cresswell Towers Holiday Park. Great for water sports, sunbathing or simply stretching your legs as you soak up the scenery, visitors to this area of Northumberland will find themselves blown away by the surrounding views.
This dog friendly spot is perfect for those holidaying with their pets, thanks to a seven-mile stretch of sand that combines a beach and picturesque, rolling dunes. Whether you’re birdwatching, trying your hand at a new water sport or taking a hike with your dog, Druridge Bay is a great day out guaranteed.
5. Fraisthorpe Beach, North Humberside
Video Courtesy of Alan Brice
Taking a holiday at our family-friendly Barmston Beach or Skipsea Sands holiday parks? You’ll want to make sure the idyllic Fraisthorpe Beach is on your itinerary to visit during your stay! A little-known wonder featuring a huge, sandy stretch, this spot is great for dog walking, kite flying and taking in the local sights - making it the last word in coastal relaxation.
For history lovers, worn pillboxes from the Second World War can be seen scattered across the landscape, slowly being swallowed by the sea. There are also stunning cliff-top views, making this a perfect photography opportunity. With the village of Fraisthorpe located about a mile from the beach, visitors can enjoy all that the seaside has to offer before taking a leisurely stroll inland to enjoy some shopping and local dining.
6. Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
Down the coast from the winding streets of Whitby is Robin Hood's Bay, now one of the UK's prettiest seaside villages, but once a haven for pirates and smugglers! Situated near our Cayton Bay Holiday Park, here, you can let the kids enjoy their freedom, running along the stretch of beach, building sandcastles, swimming, and even enjoying a spot of fossil hunting.
With sparkling blue seas at the base of stunning cliffs, this holiday haven is blessed with immense natural beauty. As if the sights themselves weren’t enough, visitors can also choose from any number of nearby activities - which makes this a perfect destination for school holidays with the kids. From museums and riding centres to tea gardens and local eateries, your toughest decision will be choosing where to visit first!
7. Woolacombe Beach, Devon
An hour's drive from our Bideford Bay Holiday Park, you’ll find the award-winning Woolacombe Beach. A three-mile stretch of sand, the beach is known for being family-friendly, thanks to its cleanliness and broad range of facilities.
The beach is situated in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it’s not hard to see why. With a range of water sports available - including surfing, sailing, kayaking and jet skiing - Woolacombe Beach is an adventure lover’s paradise, providing spectacular views from both land and sea. Thanks to a variety of activities and entertainment options in Woolacombe, this is a dream holiday destination for visitors of all ages.
8. Hengistbury Head, Dorset
Easily accessible from any of our Isle of Wight holiday parks, Hengistbury Head beach offers visitors beautiful scenic walks, and white sands that are reminiscent of far warmer climes! For those looking to take a look back at this area through the ages, they’ll be interested to learn that the headland is steeped in history - with the beach featuring archaeological remains that date back around 12,000 years. About 4,000 years ago, this spot also played host to ritual ceremonies.
The pebble beach is ideal for a stroll on a summer’s day, and visitors will find plenty of facilities nearby, including a car park and café - perfect for resting and refuelling in the shade. The seaside resort of Bournemouth is around 30 minutes away from Hengistbury Head beach by car, so there’s plenty to see and do if you’re staying locally.
9. Gorleston Beach, Norfolk
Video courtesy of s34nVideos
If you’re searching for perfect picnic spots during your beach holiday, look no further than Gorleston Beach. Located close to our Kessingland Beach Holiday Park, this is a must-visit - just be sure to pack your beach ball and bucket and spade! For visitors with children, this is the ultimate way to spend a sunny day, enjoying all that this great location has to offer.
With deck chairs and windbreakers available for hire, you can while away the hours here. If you’re happy to venture slightly further afield, nearby Great Yarmouth is also perfect for a day out. Although often busier, you’ll find a pleasure beach, museum and much more here.
10. Westward Ho! Beach, Devon
This small seaside town’s quirky name comes from the title of a novel which was written in 1855 by Charles Kingsley and partially set in nearby Bideford. Home to a two-mile stretch of sand, the beach at Westward Ho! has everything you could want from a classic British beach. Soft sand, rock pools and - for the more intrepid among us - kitesurfing can all be enjoyed by visitors to our Bideford Bay Holiday Park!
Surfing is popular with both locals and visitors here, and the North Devon Surf School, located on the beach, means you can arrange lessons or hire any equipment you might need - making this an ideal spot for both keen surfers and those looking to learn.
So, there you have our 10 favourite British beaches. Do you have a favourite of your own? Or have you visited any of these beaches while staying at one of our holiday parks? Why not tell us about your best British beach trips over on our Facebook and Twitter pages? We’d love to hear from you!