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The UK’s Best Family Beaches

There’s nothing we love more here at Outdoor and Country than getting out and exploring everything our wonderful Great British countryside has to offer, and with the sun finally paying us a visit recently, we thought we’d take a look at the UK’s best beaches that we can’t wait to visit this summer!

Botany Bay

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Boardstairs, Kent, England
Great for: relaxing, families of all ages, photography

Chances are that you will have seen a picture of this idyllic beach; white cliffs and chalk stacks make Botany Bay a photographer’s paradise! With a Blue Flag Award under its belt, it’s easy to see why Botany Bay draws in visitors from all over the UK. When the tide is out, there’s plenty of opportunity for little adventurers to explore the rock pools and even discover some fossils. When the tide rolls in, there’s plenty of sand for running, lazing on, and of course building castles! Once you’ve had enough beach fun, explore the beautiful cliff top walks and take in the breathtaking scenery on offer.

Botany Bay has seasonal lifeguards, deck chair hire, bathroom facilities, restaurants, cafes and public houses nearby. Please note there is a restriction on dogs from May 1st until September 30th between 10am-6pm.

Rhossili Bay

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Swansea Bay, Wales
Great for: families with pets, older kids, surfing

There’s a short walk to Rhossili Bay beach from the car park, but it’s definitely worth it for this gorgeously sandy beach. There’s too many accolades attached to this beach to name, but dog-lovers will be glad to hear it has been voted the UK’s No.1 Dog-Friendly beach by The Times, so feel free to take your four-legged friend along any time of year to enjoy Rhossili beach. This South Wales beach is ideal for families with older children who want to get involved in water sports as the bay benefits from the Atlantic swell, making it ideal for surfing. And when you’re not in the sea or enjoying a picnic, you can explore the Helvetica Shipwreck that’s half-buried in the sand.

Rhossili Bay is a 400m walk from parking or public transport and refreshments, and in more adverse weather the walk may include rougher terrain, so no flip flops!

Nairn Beach

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Moray Frith, Scotland
Great for: older visitors, nature lovers, young families

Dogs may be restricted on Nairn Beach, but there’s no doubt that this long, sandy beach is a great place for nature lovers! Alongside the vast array of birds that make the Moray Frith their home, there’s even opportunity to spot the Moray Dolphins from the pier. Located on the North Sea just outside Inverness, Nairn beach is ideal for kite flying when the winds are up. For younger visitors, there’s a long stretch of sandy beach for making castles, and there’s even a nearby cafe and with a shallow pool for paddling if the sea is a little chilly! There is ample parking, a picnic area and village (an old Victorian holiday destination!) nearby, so you can easily spend the day enjoying the beautiful Nairn beach.

When the tide is in, visitors can take advantage of the promenade that runs along the beach and take in the fun of the traditional bandstand, while sports lovers can enjoy the local golf course.

Portstewart Strand

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Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Great for: families of all ages, water sports, nature lovers

This sandy beach stretches out for 2 miles of the Northern Irish coastline, and boasts historical sand dunes – some of which are up to 98 feet high! For those who prefer to be in the water, you can swim, surf, body board and even jet ski at Portstewart Strand; between July and August there’s a car free zone and life guard service for anyone looking to enjoy some water sports. If the water’s a little chilly (this is the UK, after all!) head up into the sand dunes and saltmarshes and discover the incredible local wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and seals that visit the beach – there have even been sightings of whales, so don’t forget your binoculars!

Portstewart Strand is owned and managed by the National Trust, making it a safe, clean beach for families to enjoy with plenty of facilities for all ages and abilities.

Beach Day Essentials

Don’t leave home without them!

Women’s Barbour Beacon Beach Bag, Women’s Barbour Sealand Sun Hat, Men’s Barbour Beacon Abstract Flip Flops 

Hunter Original Kids Wellington Boots, Barbour Renishaw Swim Towel,  Fjallraven Kanken Backpack