Sometimes there is nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoying some bracing sea air, rolling sand dunes and copious amounts of ice cream. Treat yourself to some traditional fish and chips, paddle in the refreshing sea, or have some fun building a sandcastle.
Many of our biggest cities are excellently connected to some of the best coastlines in the country, so we have done the hard work for you and rounded up some of the best seaside sanctuaries within close proximity to our marvellous coastal holiday cottages. Whether you are looking for a family day out or a romantic stroll along the shore, you don’t have to wander far from the big smoke to find an idyllic slice of paradise in the UK.
So read on to discover the closest beaches to London, and the nearest beaches to Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield and many more in our helpful guide to leaving the skyscrapers of the cities in your rearview mirror. And for some more inspiration, we've also got a great guide to the top 10 UK beach holidays if you don't mind travelling a little further out of the city.
Coastal cottages in the UK
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Beaches closest to London
Camber Sands - distance from London: 87 miles, journey takes 2 hours
Feel soft, golden sand beneath your toes in no time with a visit to Camber Sands, home to an impressive dune system. One of the top beaches in Sussex as well as one of the best places for beachcombing in the UK, it's one of the nearest beaches to London. This wide expanse of sand is also popular for wind and kite surfing. Alternatively, swim in sandbar-sheltered tidal lagoons at West Wittering Beach, a favourite bucket-and-spade day out for generations, or try some water sports in the calm, shallow waters of Mersea Island, a must-visit for seafood fans.
If you'd like to explore some of the best beaches in Kent, Dungeness Beach is perfect to spot some wildlife on what could be described (inaccurately) as ‘Britain’s only desert’, whilst West Beach in Whitstable offers some quintessential English charm with its wooden beach shacks and oyster restaurants.
For a real treat, head to Botany Bay, near Broadstairs, one of the most photographed bays in England. This hidden gem backed by the longest continuous stretch of chalk cliffs in Britain is a tranquil place to relax. It is also a great location for fossil hunting and exploring rock pools for natural wildlife when the tide is out.
Nearest beaches to London:
South Coast cottages
Beaches closest to Birmingham
Berrow Beach - distance from Birmingham: 115 miles, journey takes 2 hours and 6 mins
The closest beach to the vibrant city of Birmingham is at Weston-super-Mare. One of the best beaches in Somerset, it's also one of the longest beaches in the UK - its miles of golden sands are perfect to make the most spectacular sandcastles. Just a little further down the coast is the stretch of sand running from Brean to Berrow to Burnham-on-Sea.
Birdwatchers will be in their element at Berrow Beach where the secluded sand dunes, famous shipwreck and marshland attracts a plethora of seabirds. Burnham-on-Sea is one of the top family beaches in the UK, with donkey rides and a wealth of kids’ entertainment in the summer.
Nearest beaches to Birmingham
Somerset coastal cottages
Beaches closest to Manchester
Morecambe Beach - distance from Manchester: 59 miles, journey takes 1 hour 15 mins
Visit the charming seaside resort of Morecambe, one of the nearest beaches to Manchester, and relax on the sandy beach or take a stroll along the bustling promenade with an ice cream. Take a dip in the sea at the Blue Flag beach in Blackpool, a resort boasting three fabulous piers with fun entertainment for the whole family, and where you can experience the famous Golden Mile.
For the adventure seekers, head to the sands of Talacre, Rhyl or Prestatyn, some of the best beaches in North Wales, where there are all kinds of water sports available for both the experienced and novice thrill seeker.
Or admire dramatic sand dunes surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods at the National Trust’s Formby Sands near Liverpool. The high dunes afford spectacular views across the Irish Sea and the tides often reveal prehistoric mud layers, some of which contain human and animal footprints.
Nearest beaches to Manchester
North West of England cottages
Beaches closest to Glasgow
Troon Beach - distance from Glasgow: 34 miles, journey takes 44 mins
Drive just under an hour from the sparkling lights of the best beaches in Scotland on which to spend some well-earned time in the sunshine. Lunderston Bay is the nearest beach to Glasgow and is part of the Clyde Muirshel Regional Park, home to an abounding array of wildlife. With plenty of events and courses running throughout the year, there are lots of opportunities to get closer to nature. Boasting magnificent views across to the Isle of Arran, the long sweeping stretch of sand at Troon Beach is popular with families and is great for making a sandcastle or two.
Offering several walking trails, speedboat trips and breathtaking views towards Ben Lomond is the picturesque Luss Beach. Situated beside the quaint village of Luss, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts and water sports fans alike with activities including sailing, water skiing and canoeing amongst many others.
Nearest beaches to Glasgow
Scottish coastal cottages
Beaches closest to Sheffield
Cleethorpes Beach - distance from Sheffield: 72 miles, journey takes 2 hours and 27 mins
Enjoy beach life relaxing on a deckchair, amble along the promenade, or indulge in an invigorating dip in the sea at the traditional seaside resort of Cleethorpes, the nearest beach to Sheffield. Slightly further afield, grab a beach ball and appreciate the golden sand backed by grassy dunes at Mablethorpe Beach.
Or for some of the best beaches in Yorkshire, head to Bridlington Beach and nearby Flamborough Head where gannets can be glimpsed nesting in the impressive chalk cliffs; both are very beautiful coastal destinations that can be easily reached from Sheffield.
Nearest beaches to Sheffield
East Coast cottages
Beaches closest to Leeds
Staithes Beach - distance from Leeds: 82 miles, journey takes 1 hour and 44 mins
Grab your bucket and spade and take a trip to the small sandy beach in the pretty fishing village of Staithes. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Dinosaur Coast’, this is a popular spot for fossil hunters and photographers drawn to the beauty of the towering, rugged cliffs in the distance. Discover Runswick Bay, another one of the Yorkshire coast’s most attractive destinations, and make the most of the beautiful coastal walks.
Fly a kite or enjoy horse riding at the water’s edge of Filey Beach, a wonderful 5-mile stretch of soft, golden sand and the nearest beach to Leeds. The seaside resorts of Whitby, with its colourful beach huts, and Scarborough, overlooked by the majestic ruins of Scarborough Castle, are also within easy driving distance.
Yorkshire Coast cottages
Map to the nearest beaches to the UK's biggest cities
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