Each year we book members on beach holidays across the globe, but the UK's coastline offers powdery sand, turquoise waters and rugged cliffs that can rival anything in warmer climes: alongside plenty of entertainment for wet weather. Here are some of our favourite beaches in Britain - call us for more suggestions on coastal areas near you.
Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
Located between Freshwater and Brook, this golden sandy beach is well loved by surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers alike. It's also a haven for budding archaeologists as the footprints of dinosaurs can be seen on the rocks when the tide is low. Dogs are prohibited. Our travel expert Rob Arrow says: ‘There's a wealth of accommodation available on the Isle of Wight, from boutique hotels to family-friendly B&Bs. Call us for tips or to arrange access to events such as Cowes Week as part of your stay.'
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Often described as the crown jewel in the beaches of Pembrokeshire, Barafundle Bay features steep limestone cliffs that overlook a gorgeous golden sandy beach. In recent years this beach has beaten Royal Ascot and Glyndebourne for the title of best picnic spot in the country, and its waters are suitable for the whole family to paddle and bath in, being gentle and clean. The bay also lies on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, one of our favourite walking routes in the UK. Call us to arrange a walking holiday on the coast and discuss accommodation options, or for more suggestions on where to picnic by the sea.
Littlehampton, East Sussex
‘This beach is perfect for families planning a fun week at the seaside,' Rob says. There are numerous attractions scattered around Littlehampton, including a miniature railway, boating lakes, crazy golf and watersports, and its cafés have won various awards for their innovative architecture. We can recommend hotels to stay in and find you places to dine, so call a lifestyle manager if this beach sounds like the place for you.
Blackpool Beach, Lancashire
When considering a seaside holiday, no one should overlook the country's most famous resort. Its rollercoasters rival some of our best theme parks, and its other attractions provide a nostalgic reflection on British society, with candy floss, raunchy postcards and sticks of rock all on offer. These are the reasons Blackpool is still the beach that sets the standard for the rest, and the sand is wonderful too.
Cambo Sands, Fife
Scotland's remote beaches, from the grand sweep of Sandwood Bay south of Cape Wrath to the vast dunes of Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, are magnificent in their isolation. But the very isolation that gives them their other-worldly beauty means that, in practice, they're not the easiest places to get to for a long weekend. Cambo Sands in Fife, however, is a short drive from St Andrews, yet it still offers a dose of the windswept solitude of its more remote counterparts. Call us to arrange accommodation, golfing breaks and restaurant bookings in St Andrews, or to charter a yacht for a tour of Scotland's distant shores.
