BRANDS

Posted 13 Jul 2015

The UK is bursting with beach treasures awaiting your discovery. Whether traveling as a family to immerse in rock pools, sand castles, and watersports, or embarking on a tranquil romantic getaway to nestle away into a secluded beach, we’ve collected together a few of our top UK beach holidays to soak up the sun- explore below and start planning a summer trip!

Devon

 

SalcombeSalcombe by Becks / CCBY (must indicate if changes are made)

Devon is bursting with beautiful coastal landscapes from heritage coasts to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Amongst the breathtaking views of the southern coast are a variety of fantastic beaches and ‘beach holiday’ hotspots. We’ve picked three of our top Devon beach towns, all within an hour from both our hotel in Exeter and Plymouth.

Salcombe

Salcombe offers a few picturesque beaches and coves surrounded by lush green countryside and quaint villages.

North Sands is a small beach situated next to the ruins of Fort Charles and offers fine golden sand, as well as a shop and café.

South Sands and Splat Cove offers one of the ‘most unspoilt beaches in south Devon’, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The cove part of the beach protects the area from sea winds, ideal for sunbathers, and there are watersports available for those feeling a little adventurous. The beach also offers a shop, café, pub and a ferry service to the beaches on the other side of the bay.

East Portlemouth is made up of multiple smaller beaches: Fishermans Cove, Smalls Cove and Mill Bay. As one of the quieter beaches of the area, there are lots of secluded spots to set up camp for the day, as well as shallow rock pools for explorers.

 

Northumberland Coast

 

AlnmouthBeach at Alnmouth by s9-4pr / Creative Commons(image size has been modified)

The Northumberland Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers an array of great beaches, breath-taking views, and fantastic coastal walks. We’ve picked two of our top Northumberland beaches within an hour of our Newcastle hotel.

Alnmouth Beach

A large sandy beach offering ‘three sections’ within the bay, Alnmouth beach is perfectly suited to all visitors. The main section is ideal for bathers and families, the section north of Marden rocks is ideal for walkers and stretches to Seaton Point, while a more secluded section can be found south of the River Aln with sand dunes backing the beach. There are toilets by the beach, and cafes and shops are available in the town, just a ten-minute walk from the beach.

Warkworth Beach

Offering fantastic views from the high sand dunes, this ‘off the beaten track’ beach is perfect for those who want to escape along the coast for a more tranquil beach experience. Providing a long stretch, the sandy bay is great for walkers and sea anglers.

Warkworth beach is accessible by a ten to fifteen minute walk from Warkworth Village, where there is also the popular English Heritage Warkworth Castle to explore.


Bournemouth

 

BournemouthBournemouth Beach by Manuel Martín/ Creative Commons(image size has been modified)

One of the UK’s more popular beaches, Bournemouth Beach offers an exciting hub of activity as well as a beautiful sandy bay and breathtaking views! The beach boasts its own micro-climate and some of the warmest sea temperatures of the south coast. There are plenty of facilities from restaurants and cafes to watersports and traditional seaside piers to explore. There is also a range of events and walking/cycling trails available, making a trip to Bournemouth a ‘must-see’, and all a stone’s throw away from Southampton, the New Forest, and the Isle of Wight!


Brighton

SalcombeDeckchairs Brighton Beach by NOLA Focal/ Creative Commons (image size has been modified)

Another hotspot for UK beach holidays, Brighton is a must- visit. Bursting with seaside charm, attractions, an iconic pier and pebble beach, this city’s seafront offers something for everyone. There are plenty of facilities with cafes and bars along the promenade, as well as watersports and sailing activities for the adventurous.

Our Brighton hotel sits in the heart of the city and just an eighteen minute walk to the beach, ideal for weekend getaways or family holidays!


Liverpool

Crosby BeachCrosby Beach by Ruaraidh Gillies/ CCBY (image size has been modified)

Liverpool offers a wonderful city overflowing with music, culture, history, and even beaches! There are a few popular beaches in the area, we’ve selected our top two, all within an hour of our hotel in Liverpool.

Crosby Beach

Home to Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’, Crosby Beach offers a unique experience. The art installation consists of 100 life sized cast iron sculptures of men by the ‘Angel of the North’ artist. In addition to this unique attraction, the sandy beach offers beautiful views and a coastal cycle and footpath, however, due to the soft sand, mud, and risk of changing tides, the beach is not a bathing area and visitors must stay within 50 metres of the promenade at all tides.

Moreton Beach

A popular beach within the North Wirral Coastal Park, Moreton Beach offers a fantastic seaside location just a stone’s throw away from Liverpool. An area of dunes offers a picnic site, local shops and cafes are available for refreshments and food, and public toilet facilities can be found close to the beach.

If beaches aren’t really your cup of tea, why not take a look at the Leonardo Hotel’s Guide to…Birmingham Canals?

If you’re looking for holiday inspiration this summer, Leonardo Hotels have 28 city centre hotels – explore our locations, browse each city’s attractions, and plan a trip today!

Discover what Brighton has to offer and book a city break.

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