Explore top family beaches in UK

By Andrew Campbell

Pack the buckets, spades and picnic gear and head to one of these gorgeous beaches for an old-fashioned family day out. Each of the beaches in our list received a 2022 Blue Flag Award, international recognition of excellent water quality and safety and have seasonal lifeguard services alongside parking, toilets and food outlets.

Woolacombe, North Devon

The three mile sandy beach is popular with families looking for a traditional seaside experience. There’s a surf school, kayaking, kitesurfing and walking trails. Rockpools, burrows, a fun theme park, ice-cream kiosks, eateries and public toilets are nearby. Three large car parks offer space for three thousand cars.

A Victorian seaside resort with an iconic pier and a mix of sand and shingle, the town maintains much of its original charm. Popular activities include building sandcastles, swimming, water sports and rock pooling at low tide. Beach facilities include toilets, shops, food stands and a cliff top car park with beach access.

Cromer, Norfolk Scarborough North Bay, Yorkshire

Despite its popularity, this quintessential British seaside resort has retained much of its charm. The North Bay beach is quieter than neighbouring South Bay. The long, sandy beach is backed by sea defences, an esplanade, hills and cliffs. Brightly coloured beach huts are available to hire with crazy golf, surfing and toilets on offer. Parking is a short walk from the beach.

Burntisland Beach, Fife

Southwold, Suffolk

With its colourful beach huts, pier, lighthouse, model boating pond, shingle beach and beach groynes, Southwold offers plenty of old-fashioned seaside charm. The recently refurbished pier has loads of attractions and amenities including toilets. The beach is a quick walk to the town centre and a short promenade to the harbour area. A large car park is nearby.

Llangrannog Beach, Wales

A family-friendly ‘village beach,’ this sheltered sandy bay offers a great selection of traditional pub food, cafes or homemade ice cream at the beach cafe. As well as being ideal for all the usual seaside activities, the beach is popular for water sports, including surfing and for viewing dolphins out at sea. Parking and ‘park and ride’ available and toilets in the village.

St Ives, Cornwall

St Ives boasts six sandy beaches close to its bustling centre but Porthmeor is arguably the premier for older children who can enjoy the waves, alongside a beachside cafe and toilets. For younger children, Porthgwidden offers a sheltered sun trap with calmer waters, cafe and toilets but has no lifeguard service. Limited parking is available for both. Consider parking in St Erth and taking the short and spectacular train ride to St Ives.

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

A traditional seaside holiday resort with long, firm, flat golden sand beaches and donkey rides, funfair, paddle boating, crazy golf, bicycle hire and more. Events are held regularly on the beach, including sandcastle contests, fireworks, bike racing and illuminations switch-on. The promenade has cafés, toilets and beach supplies. Car park runs parallel to the beach.

The stretch of sand and rock beach overlooking the Firth of Forth has loads to appeal to families. When you tire of sandcastle building, there are rockpools to explore; and a short stroll away, the Seaside Park has crazy golf, bouncy castle and an annual summer fairground. Amenities include toilets and picnic tables, with parking for five hundred cars.