The beach is often the cheapest yet the most fun way to spend holidays for families on a budget. There are plenty of activities for the kids, and the beachside scenery will rejuvenate all tired parents. 

Before scratching your head to find the perfect seaside retreat for your family, we have compiled a helpful list to do the work for you. Read on for more details about the various family-friendly beaches across the country and why they should be o your travel list.

1. Blackpool Sands, Devon

This little piece of paradise is located on the south coast of Devon. Boasting clear turquoise waters that beckon for a swim and are surrounded by towering pine trees, this beach is a must for families.

The beach also has lifeguards from July to September and has steady tides making it the perfect place for kids to go swimming. If you are over for the summer vacation, you will be able to enjoy various summer activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, music festivals as well as rock pool rambles.

With a cafe serving local food and a seasonal shop to rent beach equipment, this beach has everything to offer and more. 

For families over for summer vacation, there are many coastal resorts in the UK to spend the night during your stay.

2. Porthminster, Cornwall

The feature that makes this crescent beach so popular is the mild climate. The majestic Godrevy Lighthouse provides a lovely beach view while your kids play in the sand. The St. Ives train station is only a three-minute walk away, which is a blessing for families with small kids and luggage that you need to carry especially extra clothes and toys.

You can hire anything you need, like windbreaks, spades, and buckets, and enjoy great seafood at the renowned cafes near the beach. 

3. Joss Bay, Kent

Unknown to many, this 200m long beach owes its name to the 19th-century smuggler, Joss Bay. Surrounded by chalk cliffs, this beach boasts idyllic cafes that parents and teens will enjoy and bouncy castles in the kid’s corner that will get the kids squealing in joy. 

If you are into surfing, you can join the longest-running surf school in Kent in Joss Bay.

4. West Wittering, West Sussex

You have found the right place if you love white, sandy beaches. The wildlife-rich salt marsh and low tide lagoon allow kids to learn watersports through the local schools offering lessons. Don’t worry about getting your surfboards or paddle boards; everything is available for hire.

5. Ballycastle, County Antrim

One of the pet-friendly beaches on the list, Ballycastle beach provides a stunning view that should not be missed. So if you are a fan of beach games and boat trips with the whole family, come to this magnetic beach on Rathlin Island. 

6. Benllech, Anglesey

Clear waters, rockpools with ramps for pushchair accessibility, and delicious ice cream have made the golden bay the family favorite for years.

The sand can stretch out for long distances at low tide, making it the perfect time to enjoy some kite-running with your kids.

7. Frinton-on-Sea, Essex

Sandcastles are an essential part of a beach day with your little tots, and what better place than Frinton to make the castle of their dreams? The endless supply of spotless, firm sand is perfectly equipped to make sandcastles. 

Colorful huts line this peaceful beach which is also great for safe paddling. There is also free parking and toilets, but the lack of outlets means you will need to carry supplies yourself.

8. North Berwick, East Lothian

This Scottish scenic beach is located only a 30 minutes train ride away from Edinburgh and is home to a large population of puffins.

The tide-filled pool in the sandy Milsey Bay provides a great opportunity for paddling, and the Scottish Seabird Center is a great place to explore wildlife up close.

9. Druridge Bay, Northumberland

You don’t need to travel to Bali to enjoy the sea. The beauty of the North East, Northumberland boasts the most scenic beaches in the country. One of these natural wonders is Druridge Bay. This seven-mile-long sandy paradise has many activities to keep the kids busy. 

The Coquet Shorebase Trust is a charitable organization that arranges various courses and events for various ages during the summer holidays in Druridge Bay which is also a part of a country park.

From canoeing and windsurfing to sailing and surfing, there are plenty of activities to be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Cafes, gift shops, and children’s play are also available for a complete family holiday package. 

Abersoch, Caemarfonshire, Troon Beach, South Ayrshire, St. Ives Bay, and Cornwall are other beaches that provide watersports and other activities.

10. Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall

Cornwall is a staple for British beachgoers, with Treyarnon Bay topping the list. Its sandy beaches have low waters, and sandy dunes surrounded by cliffs are the dream for avid rock poolers.

The shallow rock pools are teeming with wildlife like crabs and small fish with clear, sparkling water forming natural swimming pools. 

With trained guards from May through September, your kids can safely enjoy the beach while the parents spend quality time sunbathing. 

11. Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire

For families with pets, finding dog-friendly beaches can be quite challenging. However, the summer fun is incomplete without your four-legged friends for company. So bring out your entire family to one of the most scenic beaches Yorkshire has to offer.

Let the kids loose to build sandcastles and play beach games from the scattered rocks and heaps of sand. Encourage them to go on a fossil hunt at low tide or simply stroll the cliffside for a surprise seal sighting. 

Once everyone is tired and hungry from the fun day at the beach, head over to the dog-friendly Runswick Bay Hotel for a hearty meal.

12. Weymouth Beach, Dorset

The Weymouth Beach in Dorset is an award-winning one with good reason. There are plenty of activities for the young ones starting from pedalos to donkey rides. You can also visit the Fantasy Island fairground, which is open all year round. 

Given the purity of the sand, not only can you make sandcastles but also full-fledged sand sculptures. The beaches are also kid-friendly, with shallow waters, a gradual sloping seabed, and a sheltered bay. There are also lifeguards posted from May to September, so parents can rest assured regarding their children’s safety. 

13. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

If you are looking for a place to have a picnic, then look no further. This iconic beach has been nominated as the ‘Best Place for a Picnic’ for several years and is a must on your summer travel bucket list. 

The spacious beach with soft sand and gentle waves lapping your feet on low tides make it the ideal swimming destination. Fun fact, this beach is also dog-friendly, which, coupled with the excellent beach features, more than makes up for the slightly long trek and difficult accessibility of the beach. 

Haverigg Beach, Lake District in Cumbria, West Wittering in West Sussex, and Studland Bay, Dorset, are other great picnic benches.

14. Blackpool South Beach, Lancashire

Famous for the Golden Mile, beaches, and three piers, Blackpool has been attracting massive crowds for years. But if you aren’t a fan of crowded beaches, you may want to try out the South Beach instead of its more popular Blackpool counterpart for double the fun and half the crowd.

The pristine water and endless sand stretch are bliss for swimmers and paddlers alike. Build sandcastles, relax and sunbathe or just take a casual stroll about the beach and contemplate life; the choice is up to you.

Moreover, walk down to South Pier to visit the various amusement parks offering both rides for kids and adults. Alternatively, you can cruise through the famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach to enjoy more attractions.

Scarborough South Bay Beach, Brighton Beach, Gorleston-on-sea Beach, and other beaches with amusements within reach. 

15. Nairn Beach, Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are gifted with the most scenic landscapes in nature throughout the country. This sandy beach with low dunes, grass planes, and rock pools with views stretching from Moray Firth to Black Isles is something out of a painting. Children’s play areas and food stalls offering everything from fish and chips to ice cream complete the ensemble of the perfect seaside resort. 

In the afternoon, talk a walk along the coastal walk to enjoy the breathtaking Nairn sunset, natural reservoirs, or even some dolphin sightings if you are lucky. If you are here in the winter, you may be able to witness the majestic Northern Lights. 

Wrapping up

Britain’s beaches each have a unique experience to offer, and many of them are family-friendly.

This way, the kids will have a new place to look forward to every summer and keep up their spirits for their upcoming vacation. If you are looking for more kid-friendly activities, check out the various National Parks.