One of the best things about living on an island is the unlimited number of beautiful coastal destinations where you can spend weekends and bathe in the sunlight. There is really no shortage of coastal areas in the United Kingdom. From Wales to Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, visiting the coastal areas is always a rewarding experience.
Being home to thousands of castles, lochs, architecture and thrilling attractions, coastal areas are often overlooked among tourists. In reality, sandy beaches and seaside landmarks are what make the United Kingdom culturally strong and memorable in the long run. Not just visuals, but these seaside destinations also offer insights into the food culture, coastal vacation activities and cultural extravaganza to enjoy together with a group.
With various coastal areas to admire, settling for a few destinations for your tourism can often feel stressful. But do not worry as we will help you by listing down the most appealing and breathtaking visuals of the coastal areas you can visit this year. Here are some of the best coastal towns you can visit with your family and friends in the UK.
Herne Bay, Kent
If you are visiting Kent, for starters, Herne Bay is the ideal destination for those who seek a calm coastal area. Being the centre of serenity and a seaside town, Herne Bay is a small yet exciting town with a variety of activities happening at every nook and corner. Just two miles east of Canterbury, Herne Bay welcomes tourists by offering a seaside museum, a pier and a sandy beach to enjoy together with friends and family.
For an even more beautiful experience, you can also plan a stay or wedding at one of the quirky huts available on the beach. Or we recommend trying out some of Kent’s delicacies at any coastal restaurants nearby.
Whitby, Yorkshire
Another famous coastal town in our list is Whitby in Yorkshire which is known for its sunshine beaches and beautiful neighbourhood that shares breathtaking views. From seaside activities to delish restaurants to try with your friends and Gothic charm, Whitby stands out for offering diverse tourism experiences to individual preferences.
The town also hosts yearly festivals to offer a unique experience for the new visitors as well as the existing residents. After a good time spent at a festival, there are various food stalls or restaurants spread across the town to enjoy the local recipes.
St. Ives, Cornwall
Think of beautiful turquoise waters and sandy beaches on a sunny day. That is exactly what the town of St. Ives offers to the visitors. Meanwhile, first-time visitors often describe the destination as an otherworldly experience with stretching mountains, greenery, and sandy shoreline at the same time.
In short, St. Ives is a sanctuary for nature lovers with an attention to detail for sandy beaches and surfing hotspots. That is right, the town offers an adventurous experience for teens to surf in the blue water. Or if you are with a family, then we recommend going down on a guided tour of the cliffs, and caves or a mini golf at the leisure centre.
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
If there is one destination that you must visit, no questions asked, then that would be Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. A rather small town in the heart of Scotland, Rothesay is not short of admirable attractions. Even a small walk in the park will allow you to experience the breathtaking visuals of coastal areas, stretching skyline and range of mountains across the Firth of Clyde.
After arriving in the town, the first thing we recommend is to hit up the Rothesay Castle to enjoy the historical architecture perched on a river. Plus, you also should not miss out on the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre and Cinema. Apart from relaxing at the beach with your friends and family, you can also visit the Rothesay Esplanade to enjoy exotic greenery together with a group.
You can opt for our private minibus with a driver to travel anywhere at any time of the day in Rothesay. Instead of wasting time and increasing the hassle of public transport in Rothesay, our minibus will allow all of the group members to travel together at a personalised quote.
North Berwick
North Berwick is another Scottish town with an immense appeal for sharing visuals of expanding shorelines and turquoise water that dance in the sunshine. The town is located just 25.1 miles away from the capital, Edinburgh, making it an easy-to-access destination for all types of travellers. Whether you are visiting the capital for a short time or planning a long-term stay, you will mostly hear North Berwick top in the list of recommendations.
North Berwick is best suited for its cultural theatres and cult following for various musical bands that are accurate to the tradition of Scotland. Not just that but you must also visit the town for just some peaceful walk across the shoreline to absorb the natural beauty and escape from the busy life.
Hunstanton, Norfolk
After a trip to Scotland, now is the time to return to England and visit the famous town of Hunstanton to go back into the natural and village feel instead of cluttered modernization. In the northeast of London, Hunstanton is a cultural phenomenon and breathtaking natural landscape that offers the opportunity to escape the busy life and just relax in tranquillity. Thanks to the mountainous region, sandy golden beaches and roaring seaside, Hunstanton is a wonderful experience together with friends and family.
If you are after an historical tourism experience then you should surely visit the St. Mary Church to learn about the history that shaped the town. There is also a seaside attraction known as Sealife Hunstanton to enjoy various exhibitions with your family and friends. Or there is always time to enjoy the seaside tours in Hunstanton.
All in all, the diversity of attractions and beautiful landscapes make Hunstanton the best town to visit and stay.
Portstewart, County Derry
With the approach of Spring season on the horizon, Portestewart is the ultimate destination to spend time together with family on the seashore. The outstanding views of the sandy shoreline combined with greenery reward the visitors with an immense beauty to admire on each visit. Upon your arrival, you just can not help but sit calmly to absorb the views from the surrounding areas.
There are several key attractions that travellers can enjoy upon their visit to Portstewart. One of the attractions that has been an attention for many over the years is Portstwart Strand. It is a two-mile-long beach with greenery, sandy shores and beautiful water to ranks among the top seaside destinations in the UK.
Apart from the beach, you can also visit the Old’Hara’s Castle to learn about the rich history and influence of the landmark on the sea. About 3.6 miles away from Portsteward, you can reach the Portrush beach for sea tours that are suited for all age groups.
Appledore, Devon
Appledore is known for its long beaches and calm town with various smart destinations to enjoy with a group. Initially a fishing village, Appledore also welcomes tourists for cultural activities and smart tours. On top of that, Appledore is also an economic hub for various businesses all within the best coastal town in England.
Appledore hosts various attractions and events for all kinds of travellers to enjoy every time they visit. An Appledore-Instow Ferry is running every season in the town for a tour of the sandy beach. Plus, travellers also have the choice of enjoying a visit and activities like Skern Lodge, Sea Green Appledore, and The Big Sheep.
Brighton, East Sussex
Known as one of the vibrant and most active coastal towns in England, Brighton is a beautiful sanctuary of sunny beaches, smart houses and beautiful views from the pier. It is affordable, active and exotic at the same time to offer everyone a sense of conformity upon arrival.
Various attractions like the Royal Pavillion, Seaside Brighton and RHS Garden Wisley are ideal for family-friendly tourism. Meanwhile, if you are up for an adventure with friends, you can not miss out on the Pier Pressure, The Brighton Treasure Trail, Paradox Place and various leisure destinations all across the town.
Cromarty, Highlands
Scottish Highlands is dearest to many and can not be missed while discussing the best coastal towns in the UK. While the Highlands are mostly famous for the mountainous region in Scotland, Cromarty surprisingly comes under the region as one of the diverse sightseeing destinations in the United Kingdom.
The town is a well-preserved destination for providing insights beautiful landscape of wet and roaring shoreline with cold weather most of the year. Cromarty allows visitors to enjoy various types of activities like engaging with the natural landscape of the beach, enjoying the views of Cawdor Castle, spending time at Cromarty Museum and much more related to your preferences.
What Is Your Favourite Coastal Destination In UK?
In the end, the choice for visiting the coastal towns in the UK depends purely on your preferences and group comfort. Some people prefer easily accessible destinations that do not require a lengthy journey, while some can hit the road whenever they please. Rest assured, no matter where you are travelling and how long your distance is, hiring our minibus can always be a mindful decision in your travel plans.
