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A man and a woman strolling by the beach by Muhammadh Saamy – Unsplash
10 Best Beach Resorts in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is an island nation in northwestern Europe. The coastline of the United Kingdom is formed by a variety of natural features including islands, bays, headlands, and peninsulas. It consists of the coastline of the island of Great Britain and the northeast coast of the island of Ireland, as well as many much smaller islands.
Improvements to Britain’s transport system, particularly the railways, contributed significantly to the growth of the British seaside resort. From the 1840s onwards, expansion of the railways to the coast often transformed small fishing villages into popular resorts. This made access quicker and cheaper, the railways brought working-class and middle-class citizens to the coasts of England and Wales.
The resorts in the United Kingdom continue to attract holidaymakers and day-trippers to spend their time and money at beach resorts. In this article, we look at the 10 best beach resorts in the United Kingdom.
1. The Old Course Hotel
The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort, and Spa is located at Old Station Rd, St Andrews. In addition to the resort being the home of golf, St Andrews also presents breathtaking views of West Sands Beach and the North Sea with memories of the movie Chariots of Fire.
The resort is known for its phenomenal golf courses, and guests at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa can play at a few of the country’s best, including the hotel’s championship course, The Duke’s.
The Penthouse is the epitome of five-star luxury. A swanky fourth-floor suite with its own elevator and staircase, it features a fireplace, furnished balcony, dining area, and freestanding bath in the bedroom, not to mention breathtaking views. Visit their website to explore more of their facilities and book a stay with them.
2. The Headland Cornwall
Sunrise by the beach by Nathalie Buss – Unsplash
The Headland Hotel is located at Fistral Beach, Headland Road, Newquay, Cornwall, England. It serves as a a stunningly romantic spot to enjoy a seaside getaway.
The resort is a mix of a little swank with a lot of luxury, to fit the proverbial bill. It is perched dramatically atop a cliff, offering unsurpassable views of the Atlantic Ocean and Fistral Beach below. For years, The Headland has been a favorite for visiting royals and celebrities.
The Headland is also home to a massive wellness center. Named the Aqua Club, it boasts six pools. The inside of the hotel as seen on the website has been upgraded to cater to modern guests who prefer to stay in a high-class establishment. There are 95 chic rooms, a gym, luxe holiday cottages, a spa, and two phenomenal restaurants: the Samphire and Terrace.
3. Slieve Donard Resort and Spa
The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa is located at Downs Road, Newcastle, Northern Ireland. The resort is so serene, you’ll relax the moment you step through the front door. It’s set behind a sliver of golden, sandy beach and nestled at the base of the Mourne Mountains.
The resort’s staff are pleasant and offer first-rate service which extends throughout each stay. Their rooms are clean, bright, comfortable, and cheerful. The six luxury suites are just as glam but offer guests more space, and the larger family rooms are a great option for those traveling with kids. Visit their website to book a stay with them.
Some of their other amenities also include, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, double treatment room, and private relaxation room. They have two restaurants, the Oak and Percy French which serve sumptuous dishes in impressive surroundings. The Lighthouse Lounge offers light bites, and a truly enjoyable Bridgerton-Inspired Afternoon Tea will quell those late-in-the-day hunger pangs.
4. Poole and Sandbanks
A fruit and cheese board by Marc Babin – Unsplash
The resort is located in Dorset, England this famously beautiful large seaside town has a natural harbour, cross-channel ferries, 3 miles of Blue Flag beaches, along Quay on the seafront lined with pubs and restaurants, large urban parks, many historic buildings, and the largest arts complex in the UK outside of London.
The classic beach resort has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. Other highlights include the chocolate-box pretty Old Town, the water sports facilities, following the cockle Trail along the town’s interactive heritage trail, and the large Tower Park Leisure Entertainment Complex which will keep the kids happy.
5. Woolacombe Beach resort
Woolacombe is a seaside resort on the coast of North Devon, England, which lies at the mouth of a valley in the parish of Mortehoe. The resort is ideal for family vacations as seen in the activities they offer on their website.
This popular North Devon resort has many accolades to its name it came first in the best family resort category in the VisitEngland awards for Excellence. It also gained a place on Mail of Sunday’s list of Best British Beaches.
Woolacombe has three miles of award-winning sandy beaches, which are used for water-sports, surfing and swimming. The village is laid back and friendly with facilities and activities for the whole family. From here you can take a cruise out to Lundy Island or charter a boat to explore the clear blue unspoiled waters.
6. Brighton East Sussex
A beach resort by Aman – Unsplash
Brighton is a large seaside city with a small-town feel. As far back as the 18th century, day-trippers from London have enjoyed the chance to bath in the waters which wash up on Brighton’s pebble beaches. The lively British resort has a seafront lined with restaurants and cafes, a historic pier with attractions and eateries, and a broad promenade above the beaches.
The city is geared towards visitors of all tastes with a range of accommodation options, restaurants, and attractions. There is a thriving nightlife scene, several great museums, and regular festivals and special events.
7. Compton Bay
Compton Bay is a bay located on the southwest section of the Isle of Wight, England. Its northwestern edge is defined by the distinctive white chalk cliff of Freshwater Cliff, named after adjacent Freshwater Bay, which forms a small cove with the village of Freshwater situated just behind.
It has been a popular haunt for locals, seasoned surfers and kite surfers due to its incredible year-round conditions: good breaks and large waves stirred up by the strong south-westerly wind.
Compton resembles the Californian coast – providing you with all of the best bits without the hassle of travel and the added bonus of this inspiring location being just a hop, skip and a swift ferry ride away.
8. Newquay, North Cornwall
A platter of red lobster by Chamindu Perera – Unsplash
Newquay is perched across Cornwall’s Atlantic Cliffs there are eleven gorgeous beaches within easy reach. Fistral beach being one of the best with a fantastic calendar of events and festivals.
Attracting both a family-orientated and a youthful crowd Newquay is one of the most beautiful beach resorts in the UK. It’s also one of the most popular resorts as thousands of visitors head to Newquay each summer to make the most of the 7 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches and the vibrant town.
9. St Ives, South Cornwall
This is another of the United Kingdom’s finest and most beautiful award-winning resorts which experiences an unusually mild climate. It enjoys a position at the end of the Gulf stream, close to the tip of Cornwall which means it enjoys much milder weather than the rest of the UK.
Its beaches are beautiful too with fine golden sands, natural green vegetation, and bright light which turns into spectacular sunsets. It’s this unspoiled natural beauty that has attracted the world’s greatest painters, ceramists, and sculptors to St.Ives for decades. You can expect excellent galleries, alfresco cafes, top-notch eateries, and a picturesque working harbor.
10. West Wittering
An aerial view of the ocean by Jarek Ceborski – Unsplash
West Wittering is a quiet beach destination in the UK. It has a population of fewer than 3,000 people. the beach is popular because the water is clean and cool and the sand is gorgeous. If you love natural history, you’ll love this area of the UK because there is a special protection area and a conservation area that protects all of the wild birds in the area.
There is a salt marsh, various sand dunes, and some beautiful scenery whether you’re on or off the beach, and it is such a popular area that Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and actress Kate Winslet have both lived here.
