Coastal and seaside breaks
England’s coasts trim the country with gorgeous ocean views and sparkling sandy beaches. Take a traditional family seaside holiday or coastal break to Woolacombe in North Devon or St Ives in Cornwall, and let the kids build a sandcastle and lick ice cream as you relax in the sun. Wander coastline trails and stay in retro beach huts on a seaside break. Enjoy a festival weekend on the Isle of Wight, go fossil hunting on the beaches of Dorset or take a sailing course along Suffolk’s coastline.
Once you’ve had your fill of fun, fill your stomach with locally caught fish dishes prepared in regional styles. There’s the old English favourite; fish and chips, which can always be found on a coastal holiday. With piers like Brighton and Bournemouth offering rides and amusements, your seaside fun can last well into the evening too.
11 of the best seafood restaurants
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Head to Salcombe for butterscotch beaches and bright blue waters
A haven for yachties and those who prefer to keep their deck shoes firmly on dry land.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
Bask in the traditional charm of Shanklin Seafront
Shanklin Seafront is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular seaside resorts, with loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Get your vintage chic on at Dreamland Margate
Indulge in an 'old fashioned yet oh so fashionable' break in the UK's trendiest seaside resort
Location: Margate, Kent
Explore the bustling harbour at Maryport
Watch brightly-coloured trawlers unload the days’ catch, enjoy a bracing walk or coastal cycle, sample locally caught fish or go to a festival.
Location: Maryport, Cumbria
Go rugged and budget in Cornwall
Newly renovated, situated on the rugged cornish coast and cheap as chips.
Location: Boscastle, Cornwall
Enjoy jazz, art and sunsets in St Ives
Some say it’s the painterly light that makes St Ives so special. For others it’s the great swathes of golden sand.
Location: St Ives, Cornwall
Enjoy a coastal escape at Whitsand Bay Fort
Stay in your very own lodge at this premier coastal holiday resort a few miles west of Ocean city Plymouth and east of Looe.
Location: Cornwall
Channel your inner artist in the South Downs
Create your own artistic masterpiece at one of the South Downs’ most scenic locations, with stunning views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Explore Brighton and Hove’s wartime heritage
Commemorate the First World War with a cultural holiday in Brighton and Hove, roaming around the city’s lively cultural quarter.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Discover sharks, seals and summer fun in Great Yarmouth
From mysterious creatures of the deep to sandcastles and donkey rides, Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile has it all.
Location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Enjoy Hampshire’s coast from the privacy of your very own fort
Experience something different with a stay at the newly refurbished No Man’s Land Fort near Gosport.
Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Art Deco chic and coastal fun
Discover Morecambe Bay’s stunning sunsets and natural landscapes, and unearth your adventurous side with a range of exhilarating outdoor activities.
Location: Morecambe Bay, Lancashire
Relax and reconnect on a romantic Cornish coastal break
It’s all about you and your time together at Headland Hotel and Spa, where you can connect with each other, the ocean and the wild Cornish coastline.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Blow away the cobwebs along the Northumberland coast
Get your walking boots on, pack a picnic and enjoy fresh air, stunning views and beautiful wildlife along the Northumberland Coast Path.
Location: Creswell, Northumberland
Go glamping in a gypsy cabin this summer
Experience a summer holiday with a difference this year by staying in a quirky Gypsy Cabin style pod just 15 minutes away from Whitby.
Location: Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
Unwind and detox by the sea in grand five start luxury
Escape for a relaxing spa day at the UK’s only 5 star seaside hotel and revive the soul with beach-side yoga and devour wholesome vegetarian delights.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Explore the cobbled lanes of Clovelly
This ancient fishing village clings to the cliffs on the North Devon coast and tells a magical tale of living history.
Location: Clovelly, North Devon
Escape on a romantic break to Merchants Manor Hotel
Hot tubs hidden away in a secluded garden, snooze-inducing massages, and an award-winning restaurant serving sublime locally-sourced dishes; welcome to Merchants Manor.
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall