Sundowners with a view, North Yorkshire
Saltburn-by-the-Sea boasts a beautiful beach and an abundance of ice cream, coffee shops and a thriving arts scene. Highlights will definitely include a walk along the Grade II listed pier and hopefully a ride on Britain’s oldest water-balanced cliff tram (still closed at the time of writing after a fire in January, but being repaired). Have lunch at the excellent Seaview seafood restaurant, with views over the bay. Finish your meal wandering the beautiful Valley Gardens for flora and fauna and 18th century smuggling history. Later, perhaps visit the Ship Inn, an 18th-century pub right on the beach, for a sunset with a view.
David Cowling
A genteel summer on the Essex coast
Frinton-on-Sea looks like the archetypal bucket and spade holiday resort, but take a second look and you’ll realize that the beach huts are largely private and not available for rent. There are no vendors on the seafront (take a picnic or walk to Connaught Avenue for supplies and ice cream) and the pier is in the adjacent town of Walton-on-the-Naze. That said, it has amazing golden sand, blue sea and elegant summer events. Visit Great Danes for quirky souvenirs, enjoy a beer in the Lock & Barrel (the only pub in town) and enjoy a meal in one of the excellent bistro restaurants (or queue up for fish and chips at Young’s Other Plaice) before you go home. A major advantage is the town’s rail service, with the local station connecting to London via Thorpe-le-Soken and Colchester North.
Lynn
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
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Seaweed baths are a must in County Antrim
Bally Castle is a beautiful seaside town with a friendly community. Beautiful, long sandy beaches border the wild Atlantic Ocean, and there’s fantastic fish and chips at Morton’s and two great ice cream parlors. Seaweed baths in the harbor are a must, and a small ferry takes you to the beautiful island of Rathlin, with puffins and golden hares. In 1898, George Kemp and Edward Glanville, working under Guglielmo Marconi, sent some of the first radio signals between Ballycastle and Rathlin. Traditional Irish music can be heard in many pubs, and there is an award-winning bakery called Ursa Minor. Beautiful coastal walks abound.
Bridget Mellor
A favorable impression, North Yorkshire
One of my favorite under-the-radar coastal towns in Britain is Staithes. With its picturesque harbour, colorful fishermen’s cottages and winding cobbled streets, Staithes oozes charm at every turn. It offers breathtaking views of the North Sea, ideal for relaxing walks along the rugged coastline. Its artistic heritage – it was once home to the famous Impressionist-inspired artist group Staithes – adds to its appeal. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood in quaint cafes, explore fossil-rich beaches, or immerse themselves in the city’s maritime history. Staithes is a tranquil retreat for those seeking authentic coastal beauty in Britain.
Matthias
Modernism on the beach in East Sussex
Bexhill-on-Sea is overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. But it has its own growing arts community and culture with the impressive Grade II listed modernist De La Warr Pavilion right on the seafront and miles of pebble beaches stretching either side. Wander through quirky local gift shops and art studios in the small town, and be sure to stop at Marinos, one of the town’s traditional fish and chip shops, which is as gourmet (with gluten-free batter) and wallet-friendly as you’ll find on the south coast .
Lucy Barr
Good atmosphere on the Firth of Clyde
If you absolutely love sandy beaches and a good atmosphere, Ayr is your ticket to bliss. Picture this: golden sand, a putting green to test your aim, a lovely playground for the kids and some wild miniature golf action. And the view? Oh, it’s a stunner: look across the sparkling waters to see Ailsa Craig and the enchanting Isle of Arran. Plus, it’s just a matter of hopping, skipping and jumping from Glasgow. So pack your sunglasses, grab a bucket and shovel, and let’s head to the beach.
Stuart McIntyre
Cakes and beer in Kent, with memories of Van Gogh
Ramsgate is my unsung hero. It is located a little further along the coast than popular Margate, but has much quieter beaches. There are lots of independent cafes and bakeries – my favorites are Crusties, the Modern Boulangerie and the Falstaff, good for vegan food and where you can get a reasonable harborside room from £90 a night. The town also has Britain’s largest Wetherspoon and is right on the beach, so you can listen to the waves while enjoying a pint. There’s also plenty of interesting history to encounter, including exploring the Ramsgate Tunnels (the largest network of civilian war tunnels in Britain) and a nod to Vincent van Gogh’s stay in the city in the spring of 1876.
Millie
Steam to the Somerset coast
My head lies at the northern end of the 630 mile South West Coast Path. As there are few large hotels, more reasonably priced B&Bs cost around £60 per night. The West Somerset Railway, one of Britain’s best established heritage railways, terminates here at the restored station. On some days you can travel the 20 miles to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton, usually by steam. There are few tacky beach bars and you can stroll along the fossil-strewn coast to beautiful Watchet. Once my friends and I had finished the coastal path, we enjoyed lavish food and drink in the Old Ship Aground, a lovingly renovated Edwardian pub, with fantastic rooms.
Sara Williams
A walk along the Belgian Promenade on Anglesey
The small town Menai Bridge (Porthaethwy) on the Isle of Anglesey overlooks the Menai Strait and has spectacular views of the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains. Stay in the newly renovated Victoria hotel, with elevated views from the garden terrace over the water and city. It has a small beach area and easy access to the coastal path. See the history of the Belgian Promenade – it was built by Belgian refugees displaced by the German invasion of 1914 – and visit Church Island to see the medieval St. Tysilio’s Church. Then take a short walk to Dylan’s to enjoy the patio view and seafood linguine.
Louise
Winning tip: long beaches, gin and donkeys, Lancashire
Lytham St Anne is a traditional seaside resort with extensive beaches, sand dunes, donkeys and a pier. The city center has more and more interesting food and drink options. Lytham has a picturesque promenade; a historic windmill; a high street full of excellent independent shops, bars and restaurants; a small stately home, Lytham Hall, with acres of grounds to stroll around; its own highly regarded gin brand and the annual Lytham festival.
Samantha Pilgrim