5 UK Beaches for your Bank Holiday Staycation

5 UK Beaches for your Bank Holiday Staycation

Published on April 20, 2018

5 min read

Our favourite UK beaches

A staycation is the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax for a few days. If you’re dreaming of escaping to coastal views and brilliant surf, the great news is that you may not have to venture very far. Here are our favourite beaches across the UK.

The UK is home to some seriously spectacular beaches! What better way to spend your bank holiday than a dip in the sea. Here are 5 of our favourite coastal spots in the UK.

Wherever you decide to go, make sure you check that any sites, events, activity centres or adventure destinations are open and accessible before travelling.

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1. Paddle in turquoise waters at Porthcurno

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Arguably the most beautiful beach in the UK and complete with white sands, high cliffs and turquoise water (on a sunny day!), Porthcurno Bay is located in the far west of Cornwall. The large stretch of beach is popular with families as the stream that flows down one side of the beach is perfect for children to play and paddle in.

For older members of the family, the Minack Theatre sits perched on the cliffs above and can entertain everyone with its selection of plays. Enjoy one of the many walks along the cliffs towards Porthgwarra and Land’s End, head to Penberth Cove, an unspoiled fishing cove belonging to the National Trust, or take a look around nearby Tanglewood wild garden.

Explore Porthcurno in OS Maps

2. See seals and dolphins at Rhossili Bay

Voted Wales’ Best Beach 2018 and sitting proudly at 3rd in the UK in the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards, Rhossili Bay in Swansea is a truly beautiful spot. With 3 miles of sandy shore, the beach lies within the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK and encompasses Worm’s Head, one of Gower’s most famous landmarks.

Not just home to breath-taking scenery, Rhossili Bay is also a hotspot for surfing and watersports, and you may even catch sight of seals basking in the sun, or dolphins playing in the surf during your stay!

Explore Rhossili Bay in OS Maps

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3. Sit between palm trees at St Brelade’s Bay Beach

Complete with palm trees and soft golden sands, St Brelade’s Bay is a stunning south-facing suntrap located on Jersey’s south-west coast and is unsurprisingly popular with visitors far and wide. Even if the sun isn’t shining at St Brelade’s, there’s still plenty to do.

With a small jetty and lots of tourist facilities on the water’s edge, there’s so much to keep every member of the family entertained, whether that be finding the Fisherman’s Chapel, visiting the nearby lavender farm, or enjoying a picnic on the golden sands of the bay.

Explore St Brelade’s Bay with OS Maps

4. Walk over the cliffs of Woolacombe Beach

A bustling seaside resort located in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Woolacombe is home to a beautiful sandy beach which has been named one of the best in Europe and boasts three miles of white sands backed by rolling dunes. The bay offers a wealth of clifftop walks, perfect for enjoying the stunning surroundings.

Even on the sunniest days, the beach is so long that it’s easy for visitors to find a patch for themselves to enjoy, whether it’s to take in the sights or play games and build sandcastles. Children can discover rock pools, and dogs are welcome, making Woolacombe an ideal spot for family trips, as well as surfers and body boarders who are drawn to the beach to enjoy the world-class surf.

Explore Woolacombe in OS Maps

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5. Explore historical Sandsend

The picturesque village of Sandsend is aptly named, sitting on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and offering miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Just along the coast from Whitby, Sandsend is a lovely getaway destination all year round, with nearby woodland to explore, historical remains to visit, and plenty of lovely places to eat and drink ranging from beach cafes to fine dining restaurants.

Spend days exploring the fine sands for rock pools and enjoying the coastal views of the bay, or follow the ‘Sandsend Trail’ from the car park which leads you through the alum and mining industries which once dominated the area in the Victorian times, whist the ‘Cleveland Way National Trail’ has everything from castles to fishing villages and tiny coves.

Explore Sandsend in OS Maps

Whilst British beaches may not guarantee the sunny weather like those further afield, the UK shoreline undoubtedly boasts some of the most beautiful spots in the country, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Our friends over at holidaycottages.co.uk have a fantastic guide to Britain’s best beaches which is split up into regions and perfect for planning your next beach holiday.