Sandy UK Beaches
Posted by Jill Bowen on Mon 23rd July 2007 at 03:01 AM, Filed in Europe
This article lists 10 of the best UK sandy beaches and was written primarily with kids in mind.
Weymouth Beach – Dorset
Weymouth is a wonderful safe sandy beach, with a couple of low key, traditional children’s rides at the ‘town end’, the beach is perfect for kids of all ages. Fantastic sand sculptures –different each year. An old fashioned feel to the resort. Very attractive harbour area – will be hosting some of the 2012 Olympic water events. Plenty to keep the family occupied on rainy days, including the Sea Life Park, Brewers Quay with it’s shopping and leisure centre with crafts, ten-pin bowling, science centre and small brewery. Deep Sea Adventure – underwater exploration, shipwrecks, large play area, the Weymouth Museum and Timewalk showing the history of the area.
Blackpool Sands, South Devon
The most picturesque beach in South Devon framed by magnificent pines, awarded a blue flag, with superb swimming in clear water. The beach has a ‘no dog policy’ and is cleaned daily in the main season. Plenty to keep the kids busy; a giant sand pit, natural pools to explore. During August there are theatrical performances and an open air cinema. Kayaks, wet suits and snorkels can be hired, as can boogie boards. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. An old fashioned, unspoilt family resort.
Tenby – South Wales
One of the best seaside resorts in Wales. A medieval walled town with lots of old fashioned charm. The North beach around the harbour is picturesque; the beautiful South beach has a huge stretch of safe golden sands (I had a fantastic holiday with my three children many years ago). Castle beach is smaller and sheltered. During the summer months all the roads are closed creating a real continental atmosphere. There are delightful boat trip to take, including one to Caldey Island. Kids will love the nearby Dinosaur Park, and the Silent World Aquarium and Reptile house. Nearby Heatherton Leisure Park with attractions such as Golf, Paintball, Karting is worth a visit.
Sandbanks – Dorset
A family friendly beach with a safe swimming zone, and has flown the blue flag for a record 20 years. Activities include crazy golf, a road train, and kite surfing. Older children will enjoy the inflatable ‘Ringos’ and ‘Broncos’, let of steam playing volleyball, there are several windsurfing and sailing schools for teenagers. Plus a beach party held every Thursday with live music, paintballing and a firework display.
Cromer Beach – Norfolk
Cromer is a classic Norfolk seaside town, situated on a cliff-top overlooking fine, sandy beaches. Steps and a ramp take you down to the lovely vast expanse of sand that is perfect for swimming. For younger children there is a small fun fair with rides and slides. Kids of all ages will spend hours searching for crabs in the myriad of pools left by the retreating tide. The Victorian pier is still in good order and always a firm favourite with visitors, and is a calling point for the Cromer road train that runs around the town.
Barafundle Bay – Pembrokeshire
You don’t visit Barafundle Bay if you’re looking for thrills and spills. It’s an isolated delightful beach, accessible only by cliff paths, so only suitable for older children (difficult to negotiate with buggies). But it’s worth the hike - clean, golden sand and unpolluted water make it a gem very much worth a visit. It’s actually been voted one of the 12 most beautiful beaches in the world. You won’t find ice cream vans or shops, just small café’s, natural beauty surrounded by dunes and trees.
Sandown – Isle of White
Sandown or Shanklin, both superb resorts for families. Sandown is the larger of the two, with gently sloping beaches ideal for children. There is always a mass of room on the beach as the miles of sand run right round the bay. It still has its pier that kids love, there are amusements, and fairground rides. Not forgetting the pitch and putt course, the nearby Zoo with a tiger Sanctuary, and even a Dinosaur museum. For a more low key resort with equally good beaches head for Shanklin.
Filey Beach – Yorkshire
Families return to Filey year after year. It’s a bygone old school Victorian resort oozing with charm. With its 5-mile stretch of safe golden sands – perfect for children, and plenty to occupy them no wonder it’s so popular. An old-fashioned Punch and Judy show, pony rides on the beach, rock pools to explore. It does have the odd amusement arcade, stroll through its lovely garden – complete with a bandstand, and visit the local museum. Visit Filey in late June and you will see the Filey Edwardian Festival – a sure fire hit for all the family.
St Brelade’s Bay – Jersey
One of the most beautiful beaches in the UK – but it does get very busy. A vast stretch of golden sand, very safe at all times – so perfect for children of all ages. Super sand for making sand castles! Very picturesque, a few beach café’s, volleyball, trampolines, pedalos and canoes for hire. Do get there early as there is limited car parking and they fill up quickly…well worth going to, my kids loved it when young.
Ainsdale Beach – Southport
A popular beach, but still remains fairly quiet and tranquil. Miles of beautiful golden sands, the sand dunes form part of a local nature reserve which is also a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ and home to the rare Natterjack toads. It has a blue flag award and is a family friendly paradise. Young children will love the beach, while older siblings will enjoy the Discovery Centre, finding out about the local coastal flora and fauna. With its botanic gardens, red squirrel reserve, splash world, open topped buses, model railway village…..plus many more attractions, young and old will love Southport.
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