The British Isles are home to some of the world’s bluest waters, sandiest beaches and hilliest green hills – three landscape-types that are perfect for family fun. This post looks into the top 10 beaches from TripAdvisor’s 2012 Traveller’s Choice Awards and cherry-picks the best ones with UK campsites nearby.
Sandy Stretches of Padstow – Cornwall
Padstow’s Tregirls Beach is one of the most naturalistic in Britain and has the country’s longest footpath (630 miles) running alongside it – a massive playground for families of all ages. You won’t find many shops, cafes or portaloos here but that’s the beauty of it, this is one of the few places in the UK where you can really escape.
Best thing for kids: Jumping the foamy waves at the water’s edge.
Where to stay: Perran Sands holiday park just 40 minutes away – surf school on-park is brilliant for the whole family. It is definitely one of the best campsites in Cornwall for beach access.
Double the Fun in Weymouth – Dorset
Weymouth’s beauty is twinned with the Portland peninsula and both holiday spots together really spoil our island’s south coast (in a good way). Weymouth and Chesil Beach share the surfable south tide and the softest dry sand. On top of the natural attractions here, families can visit the Sea Life Park for an unforgettable day out - throw some seaside fish ‘n’ chips into the mix and you have the perfect family holiday.
Best thing for kids: Dangling a net from the side of a bobbing fishing boat and making a catch.
Where to stay: Weymouth Bay or Littlesea – choose either because you can use the facilities of both no matter which park decide to book a holiday home at.
Beaches of Bournemouth - Dorset
Over seven miles of talcum-soft sand and warm summer winds make Bournemouth one of the big favourites for family holidays in the UK. As the spray of sea water lightly cools your face during a wave-cutting jet ski ride, that’s when you know you’re on a real holiday. Still, for more laidback holidaymakers, there’s nothing better than a fresh ‘99er and a paddle through the shallows. Bournemouth’s beaches have it all and for families looking to please everybody, it is definitely the top spot.
Best thing for kids: Playing hide and seek on the ferry ride across to Brownsea Island, where it’s all about spotting deer, peacocks and squirrels.
Where to stay: Rockley Park – just across the water from Sandbanks (home to the rich and famous), this 5-star park is right in the middle of the action. From watersports to the Bournemouth Oceanarium, there are endless days out to be had here. The best bit? Unwinding with an afternoon’s luxury spa before watching the sun go down over Poole Harbour.
This is a feature post from Haven