Summer’s here and we can’t wait to head to the coast. But there’s so much more to do beside the seaside than simply hit the beach. With balmy summer days and time to explore the beauty of Britain, here are some of the UK’s top coastal attractions to visit this year on your summer holiday.
1. Step in the footsteps of pilgrims and giants at St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Cast away to a sea-bound fortress, hunt for a legendary giant’s heart and climb to the turrets of a mighty castle that’s been at the forefront of bloody battles. Despite its popularity, St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is still one of our top attractions for a summer’s day. And if you don’t want to dig deep into the legends and history, you can while away time in the sub-tropical gardens that cling to the island, relax on the village green and go crabbing from the ancient harbour where tin miners used to moor their boats.
2. Visit Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile, Norfolk
Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile ticks all the boxes for the quintessential British seaside experience – from sandcastles and donkey rides, to a pier and theme park rides. Hop on a boat trip to spot seals and sea life, or keep your feet on dry land and come face to face with sharks, seahorses and marine life at the Sea Life Centre. Stroll along the famous Britannia Pier, ice cream in hand, and hit full-throttle holiday mode at Pleasure Beach theme park, with its family-friendly rides and tropical swimming pool. And once you’ve had your fill, explore some of Norfolk’s other must-see family attractions.
3. Walk along the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
The iconic White Cliffs of Dover are one of the world’s most famous landmarks – often only experienced when we come and go from the shores of our stunning island. So why not take in the dazzling scenery at a slower pace on a ramble along the cliff tops, following the coast path and pausing at picturesque picnic spots? If you want to delve further into the captivating history of the area, stroll on to Dover Castle or don a hard-hat to adventure through the wartime tunnels at Fan Bay Deep Shelter. This all makes for a great day out during a seaside holiday in Kent.
4. Ride the Victorian Electric Railway, Brighton
Brighton is the place to hop aboard the world’s oldest operating electric railway, which has been trundling along the seafront since 1883. With the promenade on one side and the ocean on the other, it’s a unique way to experience the shoreline of this bohemian seaside town. And when you hop off at Black Rock, wander along the sea wall on the Undercliff Walk, or take the bus to Rottingdean, once the home of Rudyard Kipling and a great spot for rock pooling. Trains run daily until 30 September.
5. Kayak around The Needles, Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is one of our favourite summer destinations for Famous Five family adventures by bike, on foot and on the water. So while most of the visitors experience The Needles on a chairlift that soars above the coloured sands, get up close and personal with the landmark on a kayaking trip instead. From the water you can get almost within touching distance of the chalk stacks, and explore secret coves and caves along the way. You might even stop off for a snorkelling adventure. Much more Famous Five indeed.
6. Get dizzy at Dreamland Theme Park, Margate, Kent
Embrace the kiss-me-quick vibe of the cool seaside town of Margate, with a day out at one of the UK’s most famous theme parks. A rollercoaster of fun for the whole family, Dreamland’s got white-knuckle rides, retro roller skating, amusements, art and entertainment. And once you’ve maxed out on what the theme park offers, you can slink into the chic waterside town for a shopping, art and culture fix, too.
7: Watch a show at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall
On a summer’s evening there’s nowhere more enthralling to watch the sunset over the ocean and the stars bejewel the sky, than from the natural amphitheatre of the Minack Theatre carved into the cliffs at Porthcurno. Take blankets and a posh picnic, and get ready for a play where the scenery is the main character and you can get unscripted seabirds and dolphins in the backdrop. You don’t even have to visit for the spectacle of a show; day visitors can simply marvel at the sub-tropical gardens planted into the steep cliffside, and gaze out to Logan Rock, turquoise ocean hues and seabirds soaring above the rugged coastline and pristine white cove below.
8. Get marooned on Lundy Island
Slip away from the modern world onboard MS Oldenburg to the granite hulk of Lundy Island off the North Devon coast. Just three miles long and half a mile wide, with craggy, green-topped cliffs plummeting into the ocean, the only means of transport around the island is on foot. Being Norse for ‘Puffin Island’ (puffin: lund, island: ey), don’t forget to have your binoculars at the ready. There’s much more than puffins to sea; look seaward for seals, porpoises and sea birds, and spot feral deer, Soay sheep and Lundy ponies that roam the wild terrain. Book a cottage in Ilfracombe – it’s the perfect base to explore Lundy and other cool attractions and places to visit in Devon.
9. Step into over 3,000 years of history at Bamburgh Castle
Explore an iconic fortress perched on a wild stretch of the Northumberland coastline, where legends and stories are hidden behind every stone. Step into the real Last Kingdom, get crowned King or Queen of the North, then skip through the sand dunes, take a dip in the sea and gaze out to the Farne Islands – the domain of seals and puffins.
10. Visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion, Wales
Wales has never felt more Mediterranean than in the colourful village of Portmeirion, with its Italian-style architecture close to the water’s edge. Lap up the summery vibes of the botanical gardens and villas, and perhaps treat yourself to a coastal spa, then hit the nearby beaches or the rolling hills of Snowdonia National Park on the doorstep. See our pick of the best things to do in Wales.
Visit some of the UK’s best coastal attractions on your summer holiday
Book one of our luxury beach cottages that are perfectly situated to explore the UK’s most iconic places for days out this summer.
