7 Unmissable UK Seaside Holidays

With the Covid-19 pandemic, air travel seems a distant memory and a faraway pipe dream for many of us. Well, summer is here and if you’re not planning on going abroad for the summer (I know I’m not!) then you’re in luck. I’ve rounded up some of the best beach holidays in the UK for you to snag those insta-worthy snaps.

Blackpool

You’ll never be short of things to do in Blackpool. If you’re looking for excitement, then Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s amusement park will be an alluring attraction.

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The vintage wooden rollercoasters will please thrillseekers and the seaside itself is perfect for those looking for a chill holiday. You can also visit Blackpool Tower, which is home to the famous Tower Ballroom (which is probably closed for the moment, but certainly well worth a visit).

Brighton

The home of Pride, Brighton is where the LGBT+ community can feel at home. It’s edgy, it’s quirky and most importantly, it’s got an awesome nightlife.

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And if that’s not your scene, there’s still plenty to do and see in Brighton, like the stunning architecture of Brighton Pavilion. Take a trip to the pier for a fun day out and far reaching views across the Sussex coast.

Bournemouth

I spent many summers in Bournemouth as a child so I might be biased, but this beach resort is packed with things to do. It’s probably my favourite UK beach to sit and relax on.

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Take a trip to the Isle of Purbeck and explore the Jurassic Coast, or visit Corfe Castle. Or, you can chill on the pier with all its amusements.

Falmouth

It’s a tiny seaside town, but Falmouth is the home to absolutely delicious fish and chips. For an extra dose of history and culture, visit Pendennis Castle, or explore the maritime museum.

Falmouth high street

READ MORE: What I did in Falmouth

Llandudno

Hit up Llandudno Pier, which was built in the 19th century, for a historical stroll and stunning views. The coastal town is famous for its Victorian architecture, but there’s plenty to see and do in Llandudno that doesn’t just revolve around the beach.

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If you’re a fan of cliffs, you can take the Great Orme tramway up to the summit. Check out the mining tunnels too for an adventurous day out.

St Ives

A Cornish gem, St Ives is especially popular with British tourists. It’s chock-full of sandy beaches, where you can relax, rest, or hit the waves and go surfing or on a trip to seal island. There’s no shortage of coastal paths to walk and views for days. Plus, the art scene comes alive in St Ives, with the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and the Tate gallery.

St Ives

READ MORE: Discover Budleigh Salterton, a sleepy seaside town

Whitby

A beautiful northern beach, Whitby is also home to the famous Captain Cook, and you can visit the museum dedicated to his life. Head to the gothic Whitby Abbey to see Bram Stoker’s inspiration for ‘Dracula’ and enjoy views over the sea.

Lukasz Pajor – Shutterstock

If you do visit any of these beaches, please remember to leave only footprints – take any litter with you and ensure you keep the beach clean and tidy. Make sure you maintain social distancing and are respectful of other people’s space, too.

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The Best UK Road Trips

The coronavirus pandemic has really put a spanner in the works for most people’s summer holiday plans. Tourism and travel are expecting record low visitors, especially for travel abroad. As a travel blogger, this does have me worried – already I’ve had three trips cancelled. But better safe than sorry!

The UK government is now hoping that our infection rate R will be low enough by the summer for some hospitality services to reopen. So, with that in mind, here are some UK travel ideas, including beauty spots and roadtrips galore.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Set within the Mendip Hills in Somerset, Cheddar Gorge was England’s top road trip according to Click4Reg who found the location was tagged almost 60,000 times on Instagram. At 400 feet deep and nearly three miles long, this collection of cliffs is well worth a visit.

Lake District

One of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Britain’s largest National Park and World Heritage Site in Cumbria was tagged over 2 million times on Instagram, according to data from Faraway Garden Furniture. It’s a spectacular beauty spot in the UK and makes for an ideal walking holiday or day trip.

IMAGE CREDIT: Daniel Kay

Hardknott Pass was rated as one of England’s top road tripping destinations, too. So, kill two birds with one stone by visiting this stunning nature site, while also experiencing an exciting journey.

Peak District

This National Park spans across Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Yorkshire, so if you live in any of these areas count yourself lucky to have such a stunning spot on your doorstep. As well as being a top walking destination, according to data commissioned by Click4Reg, two popular road trips cross through this site.

READ MORE: The most beautiful lakes in the world

Snake Pass, was hashtagged over 12,000 times on Instagram. The road links cities in Greater Manchester and North Yorkshire and is often used by commuters. But it still ranks highly as a destination in its own right, especially for cyclists and driving enthusiasts. Woodhead Pass was less popular, with just under 2,000 hashtags. This route is a major A road, but utterly beautiful as it passes through the Pennines.

New Forest

Home to ponies galore, the New Forest in Hampshire is a nature lover’s dream. Featuring winding forest trails, points of historical interest and rare species of birds and mammals. It’s also one of only three parks in the UK that is still governed by verderers, who keep an eye on the fair usage of the park as a grounds for cattle grazing. If you’re keen to encounter animal life during your nature walks, then this is the perfect place for you.

IMAGE CREDIT: Chris Button

London to Bristol

The Great West Way is an iconic 125 mile drive that will take you from central London to the vibrant city of Bristol, with tons of historic points of interest along the way. I’ve driven this route myself and it’s difficult to concentrate on the road when you’re faced with such epic scenery, like Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. If you’re not up to driving such a long way in one day, you can plan a short tour with stops in different towns along the way – but perhaps wait until the pandemic subsides a little bit. In the meantime, you can take a virtual tour instead.

Somerset to Cornwall

If you’re based in the South West and looking for a scenic coastal and countryside route, then the Atlantic Highway is ideal. The entire route spans three counties – Somerset, Devon and Cornwall – and would take almost 8 hours. While in lockdown, even though it’s eased slightly, it’s difficult to justify that kind of mileage. So consider taking short day trips along the route. You’ll see the best of British countryside, while being able to visit some major cities and landmarks.

READ MORE: Exploring Exeter, Devon

Once the pandemic subsides and tourism picks up again, it’ll be worth travelling the whole route, stopping off in different towns along the way. You’ll get a mixture of stunning rural scenes, like Exmoor National Park, and breezy coastal views, especially once you hit Cornwall. Plus, you can visit the westernmost point of the UK’s mainland: Land’s End.

A beach view of Land’s End

READ MORE: A trip to Falmouth, Cornwall

Even if the hospitality sector doesn’t reopen, you might be lucky enough to live nearby one of these spots for a day trip. Pack your own lunch and away you go!

Please be sure to check before you travel as many of these parks will still be closed. Please do not immediately flock to our open spaces. Maintain social distancing as much as you can.

5 Things to See and Do in Exeter

The capital city of Devon, Exeter, is a tourist and financial hub (to an extent) in the South West. If you’re looking to holiday in the UK this Summer, the South West is always popular. To help you decide where to go, I’ve put together a handy guide to Exeter, so that you can maximise your time.

Exploring Budleigh Salterton

Struggling with your UK holiday destination? With Brexit looming, fewer Brits are choosing EU locations for the summer holidays. Beyond Europe, many families will be priced out of a summer holiday abroad this year, but for a pebbly seaside retreat, we need look no further than the South Devonian Coast.