In the UK, there’s no shortage of coasts to choose from. But some beaches are family hotspots – with classic arcades, sandy verges, and hot doughnuts galore. Luckily for you, we know where they are!
So pack your beach essentials, gather the kids, and let’s explore the 21 best UK beaches that guarantee endless fun, relaxation, and unforgettable moments for the whole family.
Related Article: 10 Best Family Friendly Campsites in Cornwall
Here are our top picks of the best UK beaches for families looking to enjoy an ideal day trip to the seaside.
1. Alum Chine Beach, Bournemouth
The exceptionally clean sandy and shingle beach at Alum Chine is a beautiful site lined with colourful beach huts. Located to the west of Bournemouth and slightly away from the bustle of the town centre, this kid-friendly beach in the UK blesses its visitors with spectacular views of the Isle of Wight over the Solent.
The pirate-themed adventure playground right on the beachfront is a huge attraction. As is the land train that rides the promenade heading to Bournemouth Pier that the kids can wave at. You can enjoy a picnic on the sandy beach, a homecooked meal at the family-friendly pubs or even a BBQ since disposable grills are permitted! With a gentle slope heading into the sea and lifeguard patrols in summer, you can rest assured that the kids will be safe to splash around in the cool waters.
Read Alum Chine beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
2. West Wittering Beach, West Sussex
The beautiful beach of West Wittering is the ideal family spot to avoid the crowds. The pre-booking system prevents overcrowding and means you and the kids will have enough space to sunbathe and play in the sand.
The sandy coast features a local café, clean toilets on-site and a reasonably priced car park. Swimming is perfectly safe here, with on-site lifeguards and a flagged system showing the best areas for paddling. This family-friendly UK beach takes the top spot for a relaxing, budget-friendly trip.
Read West Wittering beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
3. Brighton Beach
Brighton is one of the best beaches for families in the UK. There are a ton of activities to do with the kids – from water sports to arcades on the pier. The beach is not a place for building sandcastles, but it’s perfect for relaxing on deckchairs or skimming pebbles into the sea.
Although lifeguards patrol the seafront in summer, the tide can be temperamental and the water extremely cold. Kids might be best dipping their toes in the lapping waves and playing frisbee on the beach, rather than heading in for a swim.
For even more fun, the grand theme park is a stone’s throw away. If you take a stroll along the pier, the kids can enjoy amusements galore while soaking in the sea views. Nearby, the lanes provide ample toilet facilities and places to grab a bite when you’re all sunned out.
Read Brighton beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
4. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
The notorious mini theme park on Pleasure Beach is the reason this Lancashire spot is one of our best beaches for families in the UK. From gripping rides for thrill-seeking teenagers to Nickelodeon-themed amusements for younger kids, Pleasure Beach has something for youngsters of all ages.
If spending the day high on adrenaline from exotic rides isn’t the dream, then the sandy beach just outside the amusement park stretches for seven miles and is the perfect spot for paddling in the shallow waves or relaxing with a picnic. Amenities are everywhere and there’s no shortage of parking, toilets, or places to snack.
Read Blackpool Pleasure beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
5. Filey Beach, Yorkshire
The five-mile stretch of golden, sandy beaches at Filey is a family hotspot. It’s a quieter beach that flaunts serenity and solace while being full of kids laughing and playing.
Free of commercialism, the kids can play in the sand, walk the stretch of the coast with you and explore an abundance of natural rock pools. The seawater is shallow and great for relaxed paddling, with on-site lifeguards keeping tabs.
When you get peckish, Filey Beach has a selection of traditional seaside must-haves. The kids can enjoy fresh doughnuts, ice cream, chips and holiday memorabilia.
Read Filey beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
6. Southwold Pier Beach, Suffolk
Full of history, art and shops galore, the famous pier at Southwold is a wonderful place for an entertaining family day out. This sand and shingle beach lined with coloured beach huts is a beautiful spot. It holds a Blue Flag status as one of the cleanest beaches in the UK with top-rated amenities.
Out on the pier (where you’ll find fun-loving arcades), you can enjoy views of the historic lighthouse and icy blue water that stretches for miles. The kids can enjoy safe paddling in the shallow waters with the security of a beach lifeguard.
Read Southwold Pier beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
7. Woolacombe Beach, Devon
The popular private beach of Woolacombe surrounded by sandy dunes is a favoured spot for family swimming, kayaking, and surfing. The laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect place to enjoy the sand and a dunk in the clean blue sea.
Even though the lifeguarded beach is a popular one, its sheer length means you can usually find a space no matter how busy it gets. For lunch, the nearby village is bursting with great pubs and quaint cafés.
Read Woolacombe beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
8. Frinton Beach, Essex
Notable for its clean, sandy surroundings and safe swimming, the beach at Frinton is a relaxed and tranquil escape for family breaks. With the town centre just a leisurely stroll away, here you’ll have access to a coastal footpath, beach huts, ample toilet facilities and accessible entry for buggies.
The tides can change quickly, and crosswinds mean you should take extra care. But the sea is superb for swimming on calm days. At high tide, the beach disappears altogether, so it’s best to check before you travel that your beach isn’t underwater for the day!
Read Frinton beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
9. Charmouth Beach, Dorset
At low tide, Charmouth Beach boasts more than enough space for sunbathing and sandcastles. It’s famous for its fossils and Jurassic Coast status, but it’s also popular with families for its soft sand and paddling prospects.
The east is ideal for families to enjoy softer footing and safe swimming. The west features slightly larger pebbles, but it does include rock pools where you can spot a few crabs.
If sandy toes aren’t your style, you can get the best of both worlds by picnicking on the grass area on the cliff verge. Within reach is a plethora of food and beverage facilities.
Read Charmouth beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
10. Weymouth Beach, Dorset
Another sheltered bay at the heart of the Jurassic Coast is the sandy beach of Weymouth. This family-friendly UK beach offers all of the traditional essentials to keep young kids entertained – from Punch and Judy to rides and pedalos.
With lifeguards, toilets and ample parking, this seaside destination is the ideal spot for relaxing and playing. Just a stroll away, you’ll find a high street filled with cafes, craft shops and restaurants.
Read Weymouth beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
11. Ventnor Beach, Isle of Wight
The sun trap at Ventnor beach is a sandy seaside haven. There’s no need to fill up the car boot when travelling to this sand and shingle destination. On-site you’ll find deckchairs, sun loungers and windbreaker hire.
Relaxing on the cosy beach is not all you can do here. There’s an array of amusement arcades, decked terraces, and tapas restaurants to make a fun-filled day of your trip to the beach. Swimming in the clean sea is perfectly enjoyable, but younger kids can enjoy the security of a beach paddling pool if preferred.
It’s also known as one of the most accessible beaches on the Isle.
Read Ventnor beach reviews and see photos on TripAdvisor.
12. Traeth Llanddwyn, Anglesey – Wales
Llanddwyn beach is also known as Newborough beach. This sandy stretch of beach with gorgeously clear waters is located in Anglesey, surrounded by the forests and dunes of Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve. This Blue Flag beach is great for kids to play on as the sand is soft, and the waters are shallow enough to paddle in.
There are no any other facilities here, so consider bringing food, drinks, and things for the little ones to play with.
Dog restrictions apply in the summer months (May-September.) It can get windy here, so there are plenty of outdoor activities to make the most of the wind, such as kite-surfing and wind-surfing. Spend the afternoon exploring the rock pools and dunes, or grab some binoculars and try and spot some local creatures in the nature reserve.
13. Colwyn Bay Beach, Wales
Colwyn Bay beach (also known as Rhos-on-Sea beach) is a sand and shingle Blue Flag beach situated in north Wales. The area of Colwyn Bay is a Victorian seaside town featuring a promenade, with parking and toilets, and plenty of seaside amenities such as arcades, cafes, and shops.
The main beach is a popular spot for kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing, and is a fabulous spot for swimming. You can cycle and walk along the coastal path which is a great activity for the family. There’s also a pier to wander along with an ice cream in hand taking in the wonderful sea air.
There are dog restrictions during the summer months (May to September), plenty of family-friendly restaurants, and shops for those all-important forgotten buckets and spades.
14. Aberavon Beach, Wales
One of the longest beaches in Wales, Aberavon beach is popular with surfers and water sport enthusiasts and is a great beach for families and little ones. Situated near the town of Port Talbot, this sandy 3-mile stretch of beach is perfect for building sandcastles, swimming, and relaxing.
There is a contemporary promenade which is popular year-round for walking. Soak up the sun in the summer months on a deck chair, or wrap up warm with a brisk walk during the winter.
You will find plenty of parking and toilet facilities along the beach, and there are lots of places to enjoy fish and chips or indulge in an ice cream along the promenade. The town of Port Talbot is just two miles away where you can find many more shops, restaurants, and cafes.
15. Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
With 3 miles of golden sands, dunes and rock pools to explore and the best surf, this a great all-around beach. Popular with surfers and dog walkers, (and even horses in the morning!) this beach is huge and you’ll feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.
The beach is just a short stroll from the seaside town of Perranporth, with surf shops, cafes, and plenty of restaurants with local food to try. This popular Cornish town is a great place to bring the kids and enjoy a truly British summertime, or winter!
Relax on the sand and splash about in the surf, take a walk along the spectacular coastal paths, or enjoy a drink at the beach cafe ‘The Watering Hole’. Family and dog friendly, this on-the-beach restaurant is great year-round.
It’s a family-friendly, accessible beach, with plenty of parking, toilet facilities, and cafes.
16. Fistral Beach, Cornwall
The home of British surfing, Fistral beach is renowned for its incredible waves, and spectacular sunsets – it’s the most popular beach in Cornwall for good reason!
Although it’s a popular spot, the vast stretch of sand here is huge, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. As expected there are plenty of amenities and an array of restaurants and cafes to enjoy a drink. It’s a popular spot to watch the sunset after a day of relaxing on the golden sands.
Surfing is the big draw here, and with a fabulous surf school, it’s a great activity for both kids and adults to try. If surfing isn’t your thing then enjoy relaxing on the golden sands with a picnic; explore the dunes or paddle in the incredible surf!
There are lifeguards on duty here, and the entire beach is dog-friendly all year – perfect for the whole family to enjoy a day on the sands.
17. Gwithian Beach, Cornwall
Gwithian beach is a beautiful golden sandy beach that forms part of a three-mile stretch called The Towans (which is Cornish for ‘dune’). Popular with surfers and kite-surfers due to its swell, this gorgeous beach is a great place to relax and enjoy some beach activities.
At low tide, there are numerous rock pools, and hidden nooks and crannies to explore. Grab a bucket and spend an afternoon crab-watching, and catching with the little ones. Atlantic grey seals are also regularly spotted in the waters here too. An animal lover’s paradise!
It’s a great place to learn how to surf as the waves aren’t quite as rough as some other Cornish beaches. There’s also a lifeguard service here, perfect for letting the little ones enjoy a dip with peace of mind for the adults.
There’s ample parking and toilet facilities, and there are cafes to grab a refreshment. The beach is dog-friendly apart from August.
18. Broadsands Beach, Devon
A beautiful stretch of sandy beach surrounded by lush green parkland, Broadsands beach is a fantastic beach to visit with kids. The water is great for swimming, and during low tide, a whole host of rock pools appear to explore and spot marine life.
There is lots of parking, toilet facilities and a restaurant to grab a drink or a bite to eat if you’ve forgotten the picnic.
If the kids get bored of the beach, there’s a gorgeous area of parkland for them to run around and explore. A great place to play football or a game of cricket – fun for all the family!
Make a day of it and hire a traditional beach hut, perfect for keeping snacks and sandwiches cool and making an all-important cup of tea!
19. Torquay Beach, Devon
Affectionately known as the English Riviera, Torquay is a traditional British seaside resort with sandy beaches and family-friendly attractions galore. The main stretch of sand in Torquay is Torre Abbey sands. This Blue Flag beach is fantastic for the kids with its gently sloping sand and clear, calm waters – perfect for paddling.
There are lots of attractions to enjoy here. Take a stroll through the waterside development of Abbey Sands with its modern restaurants and cafes, or take a step back in time with a visit to The Grand Hotel, a Victorian splendour.
There are plenty of facilities here including parking, toilets, lifeguards, and beach hire. Get here early in the summer and grab a spot on the beach, after a morning paddling and building sandcastles, wander the promenade and grab an ice cream whilst soaking up the British seaside atmosphere.
20. Sandy Bay Beach (Blue Flag Winner 2019), Devon
Set in a secluded bay, this gorgeous half-mile stretch of sandy beach is perfect for a family day. Get to work building sandcastles, explore the rock pools along the shore, or simply paddle in the water. With a lifeguard on duty here during the summer months, you’ll have peace of mind with little ones swimming.
Parking is plentiful here, as well as toilet facilities and a cafe for snacks. No need to pack chairs, as you can hire deckchairs for the day. A fun activity is to hire a pedalo for an hour, get your legs working peddling out to sea, and see how far you can get.
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park is located just on the clifftop, a perfect place for a beach break away with little ones.
21. Sea Palling Beach, Norfolk
This Blue Flag beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand and is the perfect family-friendly beach. A stone’s throw away from shops, amusements, and lots of places to grab a delicious seaside snack, the beach itself feels quiet and secluded, even on busy days.
It’s ideal for swimming due to the formation of the reefs, and the lovely golden sand is perfect for building a spectacular sandcastle, or two!
There is plenty of parking a short walk away, as well as toilets, and lifeguards on patrol.
For nature lovers, Hickling Broad Nature Reserve is a close by which is fab for nature and bird watching. Combine a day at the beach with a stroll through the nature reserve animal spotting. Sea Palling also forms part of the Norfolk Coast Path, perfect for walkers and adventure-loving families.
