Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

Best beaches in England

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Ah, England. One of the world’s most famous countries with bags of history, arts, culture and sport tied to its name. Beaches might not be the first thing that springs to mind, but we’re out to change that with our handpicked list of the best beaches in England.

Dotted across the country, there are representatives from north, east, south and west. Some of these have been named amongst Europe and even the world’s best beaches. A great mixture of classic seaside character with stunning scenery helped win these special beaches a place on this list. Traditional seaside towns couple with remote beauty to bring you everything needed in a potential beach holiday. And with many of our Haven parks a stone’s throw away from this selection, you won’t be far from a great place to stay overnight and lengthen your seaside staycation. 

North East

North East
Filey: close to not one, but two of our parks

The North East coast hosts household names of a Great British escape as well untouched hidden gems that lay untouched throughout the year. Here are our favourite beaches from Lincolnshire, Northumberland and Yorkshire: 

Lincolnshire 

We’re proud that our two Lincolnshire holiday parks are neighbours with some of the best beaches in England. Towards the north of the county, Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park is only a 10-minute walk from Cleethorpes beach, and Grimsby’s coastal delights are only a little further when you jump in the car. At Golden Sands holiday park, a 20-minute stroll takes you onto Mablethorpe’s marvellous beach, and the town is full of amusements, attractions and places to eat on a day out.

Northumberland 

Given the accolade of Best British Seaside Resort by Which! In 2021, the area combines historical marvel with contemporary calmness to make it one of the best beaches in England. A 25-minute drive gets you there from our Haggerston Castle holiday park. Closer to us, there’s the magical Holy Island’s beaches to explore and Spittal Beach within spitting distance of our Berwick Holiday Park. 

Yorkshire 

Stay at one of Yorkshire holiday parks and enjoy easy access to the heavenly Hunmanby Gap, an uninterrupted paradise of sand looking out on the North Sea. To the south of Hunmanby is the Flamborough and its Heritage Headland Coast, home to our Thornwick Bay Holiday Park. Reighton Sands and Primrose Valley holiday parks have two of the best beaches in England to call their own, being just steps from the sand in this awesome area. North of Filey, you’ll find our Blue Dolphin Holiday Park; brilliant for access to Filey Beach itself and the famous sands of Scarborough.

North West

North West
Silverdale: a place for a panoramic shot

The North West is one of the country’s most populated regions but that doesn’t mean it lacks any of the best beaches in England. Here is the pick of the bunch from Blackpool and the Lake District, tying in with some great Haven holiday parks close by. 

Blackpool 

Ask many people about a holiday in England and it won’t take them long to mention Blackpool. The central beach in the town is home to the iconic Pleasure Beach, Tower and memory-making attractions like SeaLife and Madame Tussauds. It’s just as well that these are all within walking distance of our Marton Mere holiday park, tying them in perfectly with a Haven holiday. To the north of the bustling town, our Cala Gran holiday park is in the quieter Cleveleys coastal stretch. A short walk from Cleveleys Beach itself, it also has great access to vibrant Fleetwood north and is still only a 20-minute drive from the heart of the action on Blackpool Beach. 

Lake District 

The Lake District combines lush inland spaces with coastal areas as crisp as they come, and both natural wonders are easily accessed from our Lakeland holiday park to the south of the National Park. Drive east around Morecambe Bay to find the serene Silverdale Beach, home to Jenny Brown’s Point, a magnificent lookout spot over this magical body of water. To the west, stop off in Newbiggin for a different perspective, before heading north to Lake Windermere and the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Discover breaks in Yorkshire

Primrose Valley self catering holidays

Primrose Valley, Yorkshire

4 nights from £49
Thornwick Bay self catering holidays

Thornwick Bay, Yorkshire

3 nights from £55
Reighton Sands

Reighton Sands, Yorkshire

4 nights from £49
Blue Dolphin self catering holidays

Blue Dolphin, Yorkshire

4 nights from £49

South East

South East
Pagham: a pretty stretch of the south coast

Essex 

Some of the best beaches in England can be found in Essex, many just a short way up the coast from Orchards holiday village. Discover one of England’s greatest seaside towns- Clacton-on-Sea by taking in a brisk walk along the coast from us or jumping in the car for a 15-minute ride to the wonderful pier. By road, you can also check out Frinton and Walton’s beaches, complete with attractions and the latter having a pier of its own.

Kent 

Kent’s used to being in the limelight as the Garden of England and there are some brilliant beaches in the county that back up its main claim to fame. Our Kent Coast holiday park sits at the top of the rural Hoo Peninsula, an area primed for exploring on two feet or jumping on a bike and taking in the Thames Estuary’s fresh sea breeze. Jump in the car and head to well-known Herne Bay and Margate for fantastic beaches a whole host of attractions.

Norfolk 

Norfolk’s coastal quarters are some of the most diverse in England, and we’ve centred our Norfolk holiday parks around what has to be the county’s best seaside town – Great Yarmouth. Head for Great Yarmouth Beach to find everything needed for a great day out, from ample sand to terrific attractions and amusements. Our holiday parks at Caister-on-Sea and Hopton also have beautifully quiet and serene beaches of their own to visit and explore.

Sussex 

Take a five-minute car journey from our holiday park at Combe Haven into Hastings for a great time on the town’s beach, or if you’re feeling energetic walk down to the shingle at St Leonards-on-Sea and sample the fresh sea breeze. Further west, our Church Farm holiday [ark is a short distance from Pagham Beach, which nicely overlooks the English Channel. Alternatively, take a 20-minute drive over to Bognor Regis and find everything needed for a fantastic time with the family.

South West

South West
Woolacombe: a wavy wonder on Devon's north coast

Thanks to its mild climate, idyllic beaches and fantastic waves, Cornwall has grown into the surfing capital of the UK. So, if you want to give the board a go, this is the place to be. Surf culture is based around Newquay, where you’ll find plenty of gorgeous beaches all packed full of beach bums surfing away during the summer, all within walking distance of one of the most buzzing seaside towns in the whole of the UK.

Devon 

If you’re looking for a bit of sun, sea and sand during your staycation, then you can do a lot worse than Devon. After all, it’s home to the English Riviera, so called since the days of Queen Victoria when visitors compared it favourably with the south of France. You’ll find all the seaside classics, from donkey rides to arcades, at Woolacombe Beach and Dawlish Warren Beach. If you want something a little more relaxed, grab a bucket and spade and head to Sandy Bay Beach and enjoy a paddle away from the crowds. 

Dorset 

Famous for the Jurassic Coast, Dorset has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Backed by cliffs that have stood since the Triassic Period, it’s hard not to feel awed as you relax on the sand. Kids will love going on a fossil hunt at Lulworth Cove. If you’re looking for something a little livelier, then you can’t miss the beaches at Weymouth and Bournemouth. Both offer a diverse selection of arcades, amusements and other seaside attractions. 

Somerset 

For the classic seaside town experience, Weston-super-Mare can’t be missed. It’s been attracting the crowds since the 1800s and remains one of the country’s best-known beach resort towns. If you want to escape the buzz and wash your worries away on a sumptuous, secluded beach, then why not try Burnham-on-Sea Beach.

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