Suggestions for Special Interest Holidays by the Sea
The seaside isn’t just about beach days, saltwater dips and coastal jaunts. There are lots of interesting holiday experiences that will bring you even closer to the magic of the shoreline on your staycation. From sound baths and seafood masterclasses, to paddleboard yoga and plein air painting, dive deeper into the coastal environment on these special interest activity holidays by the sea.
Creative Holidays by the Coast
Beachcombing Art
Train your gaze on the treasures of the shoreline, and collect sea glass, driftwood, pebbles and even colourful plastics, to create unique artworks including sculptures, mobiles and jewellery. Whether you want to create art on the beach on your seaside break in Cornwall or learn to wrap sea glass into take-home treasures while on holiday in Northumberland, you’ll find a range of special interest beach art classes in coastal locations around the UK.
Plein Air Painting
How better to sit and soak up the ever-changing beauty of the coast, than to commit the scenery to canvas with a paintbrush? Whether you’re a budding artist or the next Picasso, there are painting breaks on offer in a multitude of coastal destinations – from specialist sea and rocks courses with the St Ives School of Painting in Cornwall’s famous art hub, to plein air painting holidays on the Yorkshire coast.
Photography Workshops
If you prefer to capture the coastal landscapes on camera, incorporate a photography workshop into your seaside break. With a little help from the pros, you can snap the dramatic sunsets, wild waves and rugged cliffs into images worthy of adorning your walls at home. Whether you want to explore the potential of seascape photography, learn to freeze the motion of a stormy sea against grey skies, or seek out a workshop tailored to your photography level, you’ll find courses and tuition in all corners of the Uk from Norfolk and Northumberland to the Jurassic Coast and Wales.
Cooking and Foraging Trips by the Sea
Coastal Foraging Tours
Did you know that the coastline is nature’s larder? Learn to identify edible plants and seaweed growing on our shores, in the hands of local experts who will help you find the best ingredients and whip them into delicious, nutritious recipes. Explore West Cornwall with Fat Hen wild cookery school, or join a classic coastal foraging experience in South Wales, and sample coastal edibles, from clams and cockles, to sea vegetables and marsh samphire.
Seafood Masterclasses
Dining out on the ocean’s bounty is one of the delights of a seaside holiday. So why not take a cooking class and learn to fry up fresh seafood like a pro? From filleting fish to preparing the perfect seafood paella, these classes are a delicious way to connect with the local cuisine. The Shoreline School of Cookery at Wheelers Oyster Bar will show you how to fillet, prep and cook Whitstable’s famous haul of oysters, crabs and lobsters, while down in Cornwall, Padstow hosts a variety of seafood masterclasses, including those run by Rick Stein’s Cookery School.
Bushcraft & Survival Skills
Learn to forage for coastal ingredients and cook them up into a feast on the shoreline. During a forage and cook course along the Jurassic Coast with the Coastal Survival School, you’ll learn to survive, and thrive, on coastal vegetables, seaweed and shellfish, as well as use essential survival skills like fire-starting and navigation in a coastal environment. These courses are a great way to connect with nature and develop valuable life skills.
Watersports and Coastal Adventures
Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga
Find your balance and zen with SUP yoga on your seaside holiday. Combining the strengthening poses of yoga and the gentle motion of the ocean, SUP yoga is a wonderful practice for your mind, body and soul. Try an introduction to SUP yoga on the calm waters of South Devon, or head for Cornwall and stretch into SUP Yoga on The Gannel Estuary.
Kite Surfing
The UK is well-known for having a stiff sea breeze in every season – so why not make the most of it and learn to kite surf? Ensuring you harness the fun on blowy days, kite surfing is a thrilling way to experience the power of the sea. The vast, sandy Camber Sands in East Sussex is a popular spot to learn with The Kitesurf Centre, or enjoy one-to-one or group session with Easy Riders in the kitesurfing mecca of Poole.
Surfing
If you haven’t tried surfing yet, it’s time to catch a wave and feel the utter bliss of one the world’s fastest growing watersport. The UK boasts some of Europe’s best surfing spots, from the legendary breaks of Cornwall and Devon to the rolling waves of Wales and Scotland. Newquay’s Fistral Beach is the UK’s surfing capital, with a plethora of surf schools to choose from, while North Devon’s coastline is home to the UK’s first dedicated World Surfing Reserve, with world-class waves along a 30km stretch of coastline.
Mindfulness and Wellbeing by the Sea
Mindfulness Coastal Walks
Being in the present moment has proven to benefit mental wellbeing, so use your seaside break to take a mindfulness walk along the coast, focusing on your senses and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. Explore the rugged coastline and majestic moors of Northumberland on a mindful meander, or take your time and watch the world go by on a mindfulness walk along the Wales Coast Path.
Sound Bathing
Immerse yourself in the calming sounds of the sea with a therapeutic sound bath. These sessions usually incorporate relaxing breathing techniques, alongside instruments like gongs and crystal bowls. Try a private or group session with Mawgan Pause while on holiday in Mawgan Porth in North Cornwall, or join in a south bath experience in the Isle of Skye with Rhythm Resonance.
Stargazing
Escape fast living and bright city lights, and enjoy the breathtaking spectacle of the night sky by the sea. Discover the best coastal areas for stargazing in the UK where you can snuggle up and wonder about the secrets of the universe on holiday, including Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park, which offers some of the darkest skies in England.
Book Your Unforgettable Coastal Experience
Tempted to try a new activity by the coast on your 2025 holiday? Browse our collection of coastal cottages where you can experience special interest holidays and embrace unique adventures by the beach in Britain.
