Not all seaside towns come with a generous and beautiful slice of beach – harbours, retro piers and traditional fun (think arcades and fun fairs) may be the appeal of some resorts.
But then there are those coastal communities that thrive on the wares of their sandy or pebbly shores and have year-round appeal. From stand-out sea views in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Aldeburgh) to a “white isle” base from which you can explore a selection of beaches (Ventnor), here are seven of Britain’s beach town options that are ideal as the weather heats up. The guides are part of i Travel’s Seaside Break series.
Ventnor
This Isle of Wight town offers a high chance of clear skies – it’s one of the UK’s sunniest coastal resorts. A southerly microclimate means it is always few degrees warmer than many other parts of the country.
When the sun comes out, head for Ventnor beach – the southernmost on the island. It is tucked in a bay and has a mix of sandy and red shingle areas. The beach is backed by the tiers of Ventnor, a resort became a Victorian favourite by the second half of the 19th century.
Keen gardeners will be inspired by a more unusual attraction for a seaside – “Britain’s hottest” botanical gardens. Head here for a subtropical plant fix – there are 30,000 of them – arranged in native communities, including a South African terrace, palm and arid garden, writes Simon Christophers.
The town has a bohemian edge – “Keep Ventnor Weird” is a local saying and a slogan of its annual Ventnor Fridge Festival, which runs every July. This week-long event comprises free and ticketed options, as well as workshops. The latter might revolve around ukuleles, sound baths or improv – alternative arts are a theme of the Fringe.
To reach Ventnor from the English mainland, take a train to Portsmouth Harbour. Next, hop on a FastCat catamaran to Ryde, followed by a train from Ryde Esplanade to Shanklin – a bus or taxi will cover the final stretch.
Morecambe
There are plenty of beaches around Lancashire’s not-so-faded resort – they stretch across the whole length of the town. The wide sweep of Morecambe Bay is framed by the Lakeland fells in the distance. For active days of kite-flying, ball games and frisbee, it’s an ideal base with its acres of sand. Should you wish to explore the wider bay in summer, sign up for a specially guided walk Arnside to Grange-over-Sands or Sandgate to Chapel Island. Never attempt the walk without a guide.
Beyond the beach, Morecambe is a resort on the up, with the restoration of The Midland Hotel a symbol of its confidence in the future, writes William Stewart.
Meanwhile, building work is expected to start on Eden Project Morecambe. The project is being overseen by the team behind the first Eden Project in Cornwall and local partners. It is set to feature a natural observatory, an area stacked with art exhibits and a series of theatrical expereinces.
Yet Morecambe already offers plenty of seaside fun – visitors should stop for a picture with the Eric Morecambe statue on the sea front, which was unveiled by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1999. The sculpture recreates the comedian – who used his hometown’s name – in his “bring me sunshine” stance.
Other nostalgia-inducing attractions include amusements, The Morecambe Winter Gardens, and Harry Mount Park.
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh’s expansive coastline is one of the best known in Suffolk, writes Kasia Delgado. The drama surrounding the long pebble beach even inspired composer Benjamin Britten.
The town has a distinctive look, with pastel buildings and fisherman’s huts adding to its appeal for a weekend break. Aldeburgh’s popularity is fortified by its collection of annual events, including the Aldeburgh Literary Festival (usually in March, sometimes in May), the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts (running from 9–25 June this year), the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival in September and November’s Documentary Film Festival.
Independent shops run along Aldeburgh’s high street, including the 72-year-old Aldeburgh Bookshop, which has a broad selection and friendly staff.
For a tipple, visitors should try Fisher’s Gin Distillery, where you can mix your own botanicals, or The White Hart Inn – the traditional pub has a wood-fired pizza oven in its beer garden.
Margate
Over the past decade, this Kent seaside community has seen a resurgence that began with the opening of the Turner Contemporary. The adopted home of Tracey Emin has gone from a shabby has-been to an emerging cultural destination, according to Lesley Gillilan.
Margate’s main beach has summer deck chairs for hire and children’s rides. The are 15 other beaches on the Isle of Thanet and all can be reached on foot from Margate, via the coastal path.
The Sam Mendes film Empire of Light and the television series Dreamland, starring Lily Allen, are among the recent productions that were inspired by, and filmed in, Margate. The Dreamland cinema is a star of Mendes’s movie – the 1930s-built attraction is still a grand sight that’s decorated by strips of neon lighting.
Margate retains many examples of its classic seaside heritage, such as fluorescent arcades, funfairs and stripey deck chairs. Also within its bounds are the UK’s oldest rollercoaster, smallest theatre and largest saltwater tidal pool. Victorian terraces and Georgian squares sit atop old chalk mines and shell-covered tunnels.
The Old Town has an old-fashioned portion in which you’ll find independent shops selling clothing, books, homeware and art. More retro fun is on offer at the Dreamland theme park, which has a Grade-II* listed scenic railway.
Llandudno
Spectacular scenery, good old-fashioned seaside fun and well-preserved heritage can be found in Llandudno, reports Aasama Day.
She writes of its beaches: “The principal option (North Shore) has a Victorian pier and wide promenade.”
Then there’s West Shore, which has views across to Anglesey and as far as Snowdonia.
Wales’s longest pier was originally 242ft long when it opened in 1858. Now measuring 2,295ft, it is Grade II-listed. The pier’s accessories include a ferris wheel and stalls. Along its length are food, entertainment, gifts and crafts.
Llandudno also has its own mini-mountain, the Great Orme. This can be reached on the Great Orme Tramway, which is Britain’s only cabled-hauled public road tramway and has carried passengers to the summit since 1898.
It is said that Llandudno, which was visited by the real life Alice in Wonderland, Alice Liddell, inspired the Lewis Carroll book. More recent celebrity visitors to Llandudno include Kashmiri goats – they made headlines while wandering the town’s streets during Covid lockdowns, but are now mostly found on the Great Orme.
