Think a seaside holiday is just about the beach? Think again. From paddleboard yoga to painting clifftop views, the coast offers so much more than bucket-and-spade escapes.
Whether you’re chasing high-energy adventures, creative inspiration, or a mindful reset by the sea, these special interest coastal pursuits take you beyond the beach and ensure your holiday is tailored to your style – and your pace.
This is your guide to unique seaside breaks: part inspiration, part planning tool, and packed with ideas to make your next coastal holiday unforgettable.
Coastal Adventures
From cycling clifftop paths to plunging into wild waters, the UK coastline is a playground for adventure. Whether you’re after high-octane thrills or simple seaside rituals, there’s no shortage of ways to get moving by the sea.
Action by the Sea
From running and cycling, to golf and yoga, discover the best seaside spots for a sporting holiday.
What better way to get your pulse racing than freewheeling through some of the UK’s stunning coastal scenery by bike? Wales is home to a plethora of cycle paths that don’t veer far from the ocean, including the Wales Coast Path, while in Cornwall we love the traffic-free Camel Trail, Mineral Tramways and Coast-to-Coast route. If you’re up for a challenge, why not tackle some of Scotland’s North Coast 500 on two wheels?
Ocean Thrills
Britain’s waters invite every kind of adventure. Glide across lochs and bays in a sea kayak, try scuba diving around Lundy Island’s marine reserve, or SUP your way along calm estuaries and rolling waves.
To make it easy to dive into the action, we’ve compiled a guide to the best coastal activity centres across the UK, offering expert-led adventures that bring the coastline to life. No experience or kit needed.
Whatever level of adrenalin you’re seeking, tap up some of the top watersports to try on your next beach holiday.
Seeking full-throttle immersion in the power of the sea? Swim, scramble and leap from the cliffs on a coasteering adventure in Pembrokeshire, or harness the wind when you try kitesurfing in Poole or Essex.
Surfing’s one of the world’s fastest-growing watersports and there’s plenty of places to hit the waves across the UK – from the coldwater waves of the North Sea to Britain’s first World Surfing Reserve in Devon. If it’s your first time on a surfboard, pick a spot from our roundup of the best places to learn to surf.
One of the quickest ways to reap the skin-tingling benefits of the ocean is with a sea dip – the ultimate morning ritual on your coastal break. From tidal pools to hidden coves, check out some of our favourite wild swimming spots. All you need is bathers, a towel and a sense of adventure.
Walk This Way: Coastal Walking Holidays
For a small island, the UK is endowed with some of the most dramatic and diverse coastal scenery in the world. Whatever the weather, it beckons you out on foot to explore rugged promontories, wild beaches and cloud-scraping cliffs.
From Exmoor and the North York Moors, to the Jurassic Coast and the Gower Peninsula, get the lowdown on the best destinations for coastal walking holidays.
If you’re looking for a serious seaside hike, hit one of the UK’s National Trails – from The South West Coast Path and the Norfolk Coast Path, to the South Downs and the Great Glen Way. You don’t have to be a seasoned hiker or walk for miles – there are plenty of day walks and shorter stroll along these routes.
However, if you’re looking for a more leisurely coastal walk, why not take a beach stroll to a cosy inn. Or, if you’ve got the winter blues, pick one of Britain’s best beaches to blow them away.
Heading north? Try some of the best coastal walks in Yorkshire. Heading south? Step out on some of our top seaside trails in Dorset. Want to up the ante? Don your trainers and hit some of the best coastal running trails in the UK – from flat promenades to thigh-burning cliff trails.
Coastal Wildlife Experiences
You don’t have to go overseas to spot whales, sharks, dolphins and rare seabirds. From sealife safaris in Cornwall and Devon, to dolphin and puffin spotting trips further north, hop aboard one of the UK’s top boat trips to discover the wildlife wonders on our shores. You can even hop aboard the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer from the Isle of Wight.
However, you don’t even need to leave the shore to spot marine life and seabirds. Wherever you stay by the sea, a simple shoreline walk with a pair of binoculars is all it takes. Humpback whales and basking sharks are regular visitors to Cornwall, while Norfolk’s coast path takes you to the grey seal colony at Blakeney Point. Further north, Scotland’s rugged coastline offers some of the best land-based dolphin watching in Europe.
Coastal Culture
From steam train trips to art trails and gorgeous gardens, the UK boasts and abundance of cultural experiences by the sea.
Art by the Sea
Follow artists’ trails in Cornwall, sketch clifftop views in Scotland, or join a plein air painting break on the Yorkshire coast. If photography’s more your style, workshops across Norfolk, Wales and the Jurassic Coast will help you capture wild seas and glowing sunsets
From art trails to seaside sculptures, discover your top ten art experiences at the beach
Coastal Gardens
Beyond the beach, the UK is home to some incredible coastal gardens that thrive in seaside microclimates. Some of the best places to witness these sub-tropical wonders are National Trust properties with sheltered valleys where palm trees, exotic flowers and rare plants flourish. From the lush jungle paths of Cornwall’s Trebah and Glendurgan to the Italianate terraces of Bodnant Garden in North Wales, coastal gardens make a refreshing day out from the sand.
Coast by Rail
Trade the traffic for the tracks and roll gently towards the sea. From steam trains in Devon to seaside stations in Scotland, rail travel is a relaxing way to reach the beach: windows down, scenery rushing past, and a salty breeze waiting at the other end. Discover our top destinations for coastal holidays by train.
Cooking & Foraging by the Sea
The shoreline is a natural larder, and there’s plenty of ways to enjoy its ingredients on your coastal holiday. Join local guides for foraging tours in Cornwall, Wales or Scotland to gather seaweed, samphire and shellfish — then cook them into wild coastal feasts. Or why not hone your cookery skills at a seafood masterclass? Learn to fillet fish, prepare oysters or whip up the perfect paella with cookery schools from Padstow to Whitstable. You can even take it one step further on the Jurassic Coast, where you can hunt, gather, fish and cook over the fire.
Wellbeing by the Waves
Seaside holidays are made for slowing down, breathing deep and reconnecting with yourself.
SUP Yoga & Mindful Walks
Find balance with yoga on a paddleboard in Cornwall or Devon, or join guided mindfulness walks along the Northumberland and Wales coast paths.
Sound & Stars
Soothe your senses with a coastal sound bath — from gong therapy in Cornwall to crystal bowls on Skye. Or seek your zen beneath starry skies at the some of the best locations for stargazing on the coast. With International Dark Sky Parks in Northumberland, Exmoor and Dartmoor, stargazing is one of the simplest (and most magical) ways to reset by the sea.
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