Beach Blog

There’s something uniquely freeing about a beach holiday where you can leave the car behind. No traffic jams, no road rage, no fuel or parking stress, no planning routes or recalculating GPS, no cramped kids, no toilet stops, no carbon footprint… just window seat scenery, a book, or movie and then you step outside and you’re on the sand.

Planning a family beach holiday sounds like heaven… until you realise your “family” includes a baby who eats sand, a teenager who refuses sunlight, and a relative who’s just announced they’re “not really a beach person.”

There’s a raw magic to the British seaside when it’s experienced without the crowds. Strip away the busy promenades, the queues for ice cream and the tightly packed beaches, and you get the tranquility, the natural beauty, and those restorative seaside elements that soothe your soul. The big open horizon, the rhythm of the waves, the sea breeze through the dunes and that salty air.

Cornwall’s coastline is famous not only for its beautiful beaches and historic fishing harbours but also for the extraordinary restaurants perched above them. It offers everything from clifftop fine dining overlooking the ocean, to beach cafés serving fish n chips on the sand, each delivering the catch of the day in their own fabulous way. Read on to discover Cornwall’s most unforgettable foodie escapes, organised by region to help you plan your trip.

There’s a particular kind of morning feeling that only comes with being by the sea. You open the curtains, the light floods in, and somewhere in the distance you can hear the sea moving with the tide. On the Norfolk coast, that feeling is heightened thanks to the wide beaches, open skies and generally relaxed pace of life.

South East England offers a wonderfully varied stretch of coastline. From the white cliffs and traditional resorts of Kent to the colourful character of Sussex and the gentler shores of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, this corner of the country delivers classic seaside charm with its own distinct flavour.

The Isle of Wight packs extraordinary variety into a 70 mile coastline that is not only ringed with magnificent beaches but literally brimming with unexpected treasures: Fossil rich coves, Dinosaur foot prints, huge chalk cliffs, a medieval light house, a Roman villa, fun-fairs and amusement parks, art festivals and foodie scenes!

Devon is one of those counties that feels made for dog walks. Wide beaches, cliff-top paths, estuaries and open countryside mean there’s space to roam in almost every direction. And when the sea’s involved, most dogs are even happier.

Newquay has always had a bit of a reputation. For some, it’s all about surfing. For others, it’s sandy beaches, ice creams on the headland, and long summer evenings by the sea. Spend a little time here, though, and you realise it’s much more than a surf town. It’s a place where the coastline does the talking — wide Atlantic views, rolling waves, and beaches tucked into every curve of the cliffs.

Summer by the sea is not only fun for kids but also educational, with so many activities on offer - many that are free! Mornings start slowly, sandy feet are unavoidable, and the biggest decision of the day is often which beach to visit. Whether you’re staying in St Ives, Whitby, Tenby or Wells-next-the-Sea, the British coastline makes it surprisingly easy to keep children entertained without loads of pre-planning.