With Spring fast approaching and the Easter holidays on the horizon we have compiled a list of some of the UK’s best beaches. Although beaches are usually associated with summer, these examples prove that they certainly aren’t just for sunny weather and who doesn’t love a traditionally British seaside resort?

So, in no particular order, here is a list of some of the best.

1. Lyme Regis, Dorset

This little gem is one of the most picturesque places you could visit in the UK and it hasn’t changed an awful lot over the years. It is one of the most famous beaches on the Jurassic coast and, although much of the beach is pebbly, the harbour end has a beautiful stretch of sand. There is a handy car park right next-door and a great walk around the harbour wall. As well as that, there are plenty of places to go rock-pooling together with the traditional arcades and crazy golf along the prom. Be sure to visit the fab pasty shop for a tasty (if unusual) chocolate and banana pasty!

2. Weymouth, Dorset

This wonderful beach has a huge expanse of sand with so much potential for castles, hole-digging and the like. But, if you don’t want to build sandcastles or paddle in the sea, there are plenty of other things to keep you busy including the traditional donkey ride, sand sculptures and trampolines. The penny arcade there is great! You can collect tickets which pour out of the penny waterfall machines and use them in exchange for gifts. 

3. Camber Sands, East Sussex

It isn’t really any wonder that Camber is often used as a film location. Lined with dunes, there are around 7 miles of blue flag beach to be enjoyed. There’s no need for overcrowding as everyone can have their own patch of beach. It is very clean and there are great facilities including plenty of amusements, a cafe and a pub where you can sit and watch the kite surfers. A word of advice – bring a windbreak!

4. Woolacoombe Bay, North Devon

It is easy to see why this particular area features on almost all of these types of list! A multi-award winning beach, it is a 3 mile stretch of golden sand, clean water and great facilities. It is also one of the original surfing beaches in the UK as well as being home to the sand castle building championships.

5. West Wittering, West Sussex

The water quality of the sea at West Wittering is among some of the best in the UK and the wide, sandy beach has welcomed generations of people over the years. Another blue flag, award-winning area makes this a safe place for families, together with it’s natural beauty and unspoilt views. The tide stretches out far and wide, leaving little pools for old and young alike to paddle in.

7. Central Beach, Skegness

Yet another blue flag beach, this holds all the traditions of a British holiday beach. You will find donkey rides, a fabulous pier and amusements by the bucket load. There’s a lifeguard on duty from June until September, swimming is good here as well as bodyboarding and surfing.

8. Morecambe Bay

A  beach worthy of a visit with it’s beautiful views of the Lake District, Morecambe Bay is sometimes branded a ‘mini Blackpool’. There’s a long stretch of promenade along which you’ll find many family-run hotels. It is also home to the Eric Morecambe statue and a wonderful stone jetty which holds artwork of various birds commissioned by the Tern Project.

9.Saltburn, North Yorkshire

Retaining much of it’s Victorian charm, Saltburn was originally famed for its status as a smuggler’s paradise. There’s an Italian Garden linked to the beach by a miniature railway as well as a fully-operational beach lift which has been in place since 1884. It provides visitors with a fantastic panoramic view and its gentle descent takes you down to the newly-created pier and beach where you can try your hand at crabbing.

10. Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, Wales

If an adventure is what you want then this is the beach to experience one. With views across to West Wales and North Devon from the top of Rhossili Down, you can take a cliff-top walk from the National Trust shop across to the Old Coastguard look-out. You’ll see the wreck of the ship Helvetia, dating from 1887, showing at low tide. For the really adventurous how about a walk across the causeway to the tidal island of Worms Head to see the grey seals? There really is something for everyone.

11. Bamburgh, Northumberland

It is easy to see why this beach is part of Northumberland’s areas of outstanding beauty. This is one for the history lovers as the stretch of golden sand and dunes is overlooked by the magnificent Bamburgh castle. Once holding the seat for the Kings of Northumbria, the castle is now open to visitors all year round. Thousands of families enjoy the views across to the Farne Islands and the lighthouse on Inner Farne.

12. Brighton, West Sussex

A fabulous seaside resort both on and off the beach, this place holds years of great history. The shops, lanes and restaurants are exciting and varied with lots of family-friendly places, the pebbled beach is a hive of activity and, with a fantastic atmosphere, the pier is somewhere you could spend the whole day finding something to keep you amused.

Have you got a favourite UK beach that’s not on our list? Share it with us in the comments.

[Photo credits: Shutterstock]