The top UK family seaside holidays

Who doesn’t love the beach? There’s something about the sand, the rolling dunes, lapping waves, sandcastles, gulls, ice-creams and sitting amongst it all doing absolutely nothing that just says holiday – and for me, family seaside holiday.

And with thousands of miles of coastline around the UK, including some truly beautiful and often overlooked beaches, there are some great ones if you’re travelling with children too.

Since Minnie came along, we’ve had days out in around half the counties of England, but given the chance, I never say no to a chance to nip to the seaside, from Kent to Suffolk and Norfolk, the Isle of Wight to the Isles of Scilly. And while Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, there are plenty of quieter stretches for a fantastic family seaside holiday.

Northumberland

When you know that the entire 39 mile stretch of Northumberland’s coastline has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, how can you not want to explore those glorious beaches.

The flat, sandy shores of Alnmouth beach are perfect for family games and keeping an eye on little ones, while the dunes at Bamburgh ensure a little privacy and a break from the breeze – not to mention one of Northumberland’s best castles towering over the sands.

You can visit the Farrie Island grey seal colony on boat trips, something to see nowhere else – or if you’re exploring with older kids, you could even dive with them as you explore the region’s shipwrecks, if you prefer your wildlife encounters to be a little more personal. That’s a hard childhood memory to top!

Add in puffin spotting cruises, a chance to explore Lindisfarne with kids, nearby Alnwick Castle for Harry Potter fans and a whole string of other things to do in Northumberland with kids and it’s unmissable.

Yorkshire

With 45 miles of beaches, you’ll find everything from traditional seaside to unspoiled sands when you’re exploring Yorkshire with kids.

Scarborough and Whitby are easily the two famous famous stretches – even if your kids are too young for tales of Dracula, we loved all the things to do in Whitby for families – but explore just a little further and you can find even quieter parts of the Yorkshire coast.

The harbour town of Staithes in the north of the county has just a small beach, but an expanse of rugged cliffs and rock pools known for their fossils. Grab a fishing net and challenge the kids to see what you can find.

A visit here means you can easily discover the untouched landscape of the North York Moors National Park too, if you want to combine coast and countryside.

Or a little way further south lies the small town of Filey with its five-mile stretch of sand, perfect to let the kids run wild, play a game of cricket or splash about in the shallow waters.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire’s coast is award-winning, from the Blue Flag beaches at popular resorts like Skegness, along with protected nature reserves. So there’s something in this county for everyone.

If your idea of seaside holiday means candyfloss, helter-skelters, fish and chips, kitsch postcards, donkey rides and arcades, there’s masses of choice along the coastline from Cleethorpes to Skegness, including beaches welcoming dogs – grab a bucket and spade from any of the promenades’ local stalls and spend your days dodging waves and playing in the sand, or check out the theme park.

There are natural treasures nearby too – you could visit wildlife at the seal sanctuary at Mablethorpe, guaranteed to appeal to kids. 

But the county is also home to some glorious unspoiled beaches: the coastline from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards is home to protected nature reserves that’s home to birdlife galore, as well as beaches and walking routes. Plus you’ll feel like the only people around as you enjoy the sandy beaches and big skies.

Norfolk

One of my own favourite stretches of coast, Norfolk always seems to have twice as much sky – and often twice as much sand – as the rest of the country.

I’ve picked some of my favourite Norfolk beaches with kids but where else can you walk in the footsteps of prehistoric humans, discover Roman ruins, discover fantastic sunsets on the east coast of the UK at Hunstanton and pick from family fun at places like Great Yarmouth and Cromer, find street art in Sheringham, spot seals or get right off the beaten track.

One of our favourite ways to explore is by walking the coast path: the Deep History Coast links a string of beaches, with an app to bring the prehistoric landscape the life, the chance to ‘collect’ a mammoth and discover facts about Norfolk’s past along the way. It’s also easy to discover some of the best things to do in Norfolk with kids if you’re based at the beach.

Suffolk

Gentler than Norfolk, Suffolk’s beaches can sometimes be busier but there are plenty of tempting stretches of sand – and shingle.

Despite not being the best for sandcastles, we love Aldeburgh where you can stay a stone’s throw from the pebbly beach, discover sculptures, explore past pastel coloured houses and eat some fantastic fish and chips.

Southwold is another favourite, closer to the border with Norfolk, and just a short drive from Framlingham Castle, plus you could go crabbing in Walberswick or venture to the easternmost point of the UK near Lowestoft.

But wherever you stay, you’ll find countless things to do in Suffolk with kids.

More great family-friendly seaside attractions

Half the fun of being by the coast is wandering clifftop paths and making sandcastles (as well as eating ice cream, of course). But I’ve picked a few attractions which are perfect to tempt you away for a bit, and great for rainy days too.

Cornwall

Cornwall is one of my favourite parts of the UK and there’s definitely no shortage of family-friendly attractions, not to mention two very different coasts. And right on the beach at Newquay is the Blue Reef Aquarium, home to a giant octopus, fire prawns and some distinctly dinky seahorses.

Check out my ultimate guide to Cornwall with kids, as well as my pick of the best beaches in Cornwall for more inspiration

Devon

If you’d rather stay above the waves, head to neighbouring Devon and the lovely harbour town of Brixham where The Golden Hind sits right by the quay.

The replica Elizabethan ship is fascinating for kids and adults, with plenty of history and games to play aboard.

Check out my ultimate guide to Devon for families, as well as my pick of the best beaches in Devon for more inspiration

Brighton

A little closer to home for me is Brighton, and another aquarium – the Sea Life Centre is the oldest in the world with unusual Victorian architecture and a glass-bottomed boat, as well as 150 different creatures to discover.

Along with Brighton’s own shingle beach, you can find some great sandy beaches in Sussex, not to mention plenty of other things to do in Sussex with kids while you’re enjoying a family seaside holiday.

Images copyright MummyTravels

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