INDEX OF THIS PAGE
KENT
- BROADSTAIRS & MARGATE
NORFOLK
- CROMER
- HUNSTANTON OLD BEACH
SUSSEX
- BRIGHTON PALACE PIER BEACH
- CAMBER SANDS
CORNWALL
- BUDE SANDYMOUTH BEACH
- ST IVES PORTHMINSTER BEACH
- NEWQUAY (WATERGATE BAY)
- THE STRANGLES CRACKINGTON HAVEN
- SWANPOOL BEACH
DEVON
- BLACKPOOL SANDS
- CROYDE BAY
- NESS COVE
DORSET
- BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHBOURNE
So now we are heading to the bottom half of the United Kingdom.
Because there is so much coastline in Britain, particularly the southern half, Beach Baby has been a bit pressed for space and had to omit a few places. So it’s commiserations to South Wales and Suffolk, to name but two places that didn’t quite get into the list this time.
Whereas the north may be beautiful and bracing …there is particularly a lot of unexplored coast in Scotland, before you even mention the islands… at least in the South of England you should be able to get the views WITHOUT double pneumonia. At least, theoretically anyway!
Depending on when you go, it may even be possible to get sunburned (yes, really, this can and does happen in Britain, catching many people unawares every year). Be sure to take sunscreen, a hat and some loose fitting clothes with you just in case!
KENT
BROADSTAIRS and MARGATE
Out of the seven available bays in Broadstairs, Kent, we only had room for one proper visit, and that was East Cliff, located slightly north of the more famous Viking Bay.
Whereas bathing was available in other bays, Beach Baby was unsure of the water quality there, so advises you to check daily.
However, should you wish to see the scene of John Buchan’s famous novel The 39 Steps, then Stone Bay is the place to head. You’ll see why he picked that title, when you try to access the beach!
Known best for its activities such as rock pooling, Broadstairs is a charming coastal town on the south coast of England, with the more well known Margate just up the road.
Margate has had something of a facelift in recent years, hitherto one of the long line of faded seaside icons, which had become a casualty to tourism in sunnier climes.
With the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery to satisfy cultural needs, and Dreamland amusements to take care of boredom, both mature visitors and the younger generation are catered to.
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: YES BUT RESTRICTED CHECK FOR DETAILS
GOOD FOR: ROCK POOLING, WALKING
BATHING: UNTESTED
CIVILIZATION: SOME
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: BROADSTAIRS
POSTCODE: CT10 1EE
NORFOLK
If you’ve never been to Norfolk, then you owe it to yourself to get out there Be warned, that it is a bit off the beaten track for most of the UK to locate easily, which probably lends it some of its charm.
Once again, a fishing village that grew into the archetypal English Victorian seaside resort, Cromer boasts a pier and notable cliffs over 200 meters high.
Hunstanton is another treat with its red cliffs. The town of today used to be known as ‘New Hunstanton’ which grew up, side by side with the village of ‘Old Hunstanton’, which it now completely dwarfs. Old Hunstanton village is thought to be prehistoric in origins.
Either way, Hunstanton (“Sunny Hunny” to locals) beaches will not disappoint!
CROMER
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SAND AND SHINGLE
DOGS: RESTRICTIONS APPLY
GOOD FOR: SURFING BATHING KAYAKING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: CROMER
POSTCODE: NR27 9HP
HUNSTANTON OLD BEACH
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SAND
DOGS: YES
GOOD FOR: KITE FLYING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: HUNSTANTON
POSTCODE: PE36 6JJ
SUSSEX
Only two hours away from the bustle of London, by train, come and discover the beauty of Camber Sands and the introspection that comes with it!
There are some great sand dunes and a huge miles long stretch of beach, perfect for surfing.
Also only about an hour by rail from the capital is Brighton, which offers something for everyone. Popular with surfers,and bathers, there is plenty more to the beach at Brighton, but it is still a good place to start!
BRIGHTON PALACE PIER BEACH
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SHINGLE AND SAND
DOGS: RESTRICTIONS
GOOD FOR: BATHING AND SURFING
BATHING: YES THREE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: BRIGHTON
POSTCODE: BN2 1TW
CAMBER SANDS
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY, SHINGLE AND SAND DUNES
DOGS: RESTRICTIONS APPLY
GOOD FOR: BATHING, SURFING, PEACE AND QUIET
BATHING: YES THREE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: RYE
POSTCODE: TN31 7RT
CORNWALL
With its clean waters, postcard beaches and more to the point, some temperate weather, Cornwall can offer what so much of the UK cannot – the complete package in terms of sea, sand and SUN!
Porthminster has half a mile of golden sands in a sheltered bay, but also plenty of civilization and level access for wheelchairs and buggies.
Sandymouth at Bude has the views, with cliffs and rocks and shingle, as well as a wide sweep of sandy beach at low tide. Venture further to discover more hidden little coves.
Not far is another great beach at Crackington Haven, where you can sunbathe in the nip if you should wish to without contracting frostbite!
Perhaps Bude’s bigger sister resort can be found in Newquay. Rich in history, Newquay is another star of the Victorian era, and remains a popular destination for holiday makers to this day.
Further afield in Falmouth, visit the delightful beach of Swanpool, a big hit with watersport enthusiasts of all sorts.
BUDE SANDYMOUTH BEACH
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: NOT BETWEEN APRIL AND SEPTEMBER
GOOD FOR: BATHING SURFING AND FISHING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: BUDE
POSTCODE: EX23 9EG
ST IVES PORTHMINSTER BEACH
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: NOT IN HIGH SEASON
GOOD FOR: BATHING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: ST IVES
POSTCODE: TR26 2EB
NEWQUAY (WATERGATE BAY)
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: YES
GOOD FOR: SWIMMING AND SURFING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: NEWQUAY
POSTCODE: TR8 4AA
THE STRANGLES CRACKINGTON HAVEN
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: YES
GOOD FOR: NUDE SUNBATHING
BATHING: NO
CIVILIZATION: NO
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: BUDE
POSTCODE: EX23 0LQ
TALKING POINT: NATURIST BEACH
SWANPOOL BEACH
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: PEBBLY AND SANDY
DOGS: NOT IN SUMMER
GOOD FOR: FISHING, BATHING
BATHING: YES FOUR STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: FALMOUTH
POSTCODE: TR11 4EJ
TALKING POINT: DISABLED ACCESS
DEVON
Another top holiday destination, we must not forget Devon, full of smugglers coves and other places of adventurous interest..one of which is Ness Cove, a beautiful and secluded cove surrounded by red colored cliffs.
One adorable hideaway is Blackpool Sands, which despite its name, has little in common with its brassier northern cousin! You may not believe you are even in England, when you see the gorgeous turquoise sea wash into the bay.
With sand dunes, rolling clean beaches and a rural location, Croyde Bay is the perfect mix of isolation and civilization, and popular with locals and holidaymakers alike.
BLACKPOOL SANDS
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: NOT IN SUMMER
GOOD FOR: DIVING AND BATHING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: DARTMOUTH
POSTCODE: TQ6 0RG
CROYDE BAY
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: NOT IN SUMMER
GOOD FOR: FISHING, BATHING, SURFING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: NORTHAM
POSTCODE: EX33 1FF
NESS COVE
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SANDY
DOGS: YES
GOOD FOR: SWIMMING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS BUT KEEP TO DESIGNATED AREA
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: NO
TOWN: TEIGNMOUTH
POSTCODE: TQ14 0HP
DORSET
Finally, Beach Baby only had room for one visit in Dorset and that was to Southborne Beach, in the resort of Bournemouth. With plenty of beaches to choose from, we picked Southborne because the pace was a little quieter here and it was recommended by locals.
All the same, it is still well within the reach of civilization with an impressive range of facilities, as well as offering the possibility for a wide range of activities.
BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHBOURNE
BEACH BABY MINI FACTS
BEACH TYPE: SAND AND SHINGLE
DOGS: YES
GOOD FOR: SKIING SURFING SAILING FISHING SWIMMING
BATHING: YES FIVE STARS
CIVILIZATION: YES
LIFEGUARD: YES
TOWN: CHRISTCHURCH
POSTCODE: BH6 4AY
