Seaside

Sea air, chips and a proper day out

There is something about the seaside, isn't there? The first glimpse of the water, the smell of chips and somebody already asking for an ice cream. UK seaside days out can be a beach wander, a pier visit or a whole weekend of discoveries. Browse Blackpool, Skegness and Great Yarmouth, then put your own day together with food stops, attractions and places to stay nearby. The arcades are there when you fancy a game, too. Take your time — you have come out to enjoy yourselves.

Different towns, different vibes

• Big, bold resorts – Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Skegness, Southend and Brighton bring piers, rides, arcades and nightlife.
• Classic family resorts – Cleethorpes, Scarborough, Llandudno, Weston-super-Mare and Bridlington balance traditional fun with plenty of sand.
• Picture-postcard towns – Whitby, St Ives, Tenby and Southwold are full of colourful houses, harbours and independent shops.
• Foodie favourites – Whitstable for oysters, Padstow for seafood and almost anywhere on the Yorkshire coast for a proper chippy.

Choosing your seaside day

Families with young kids will want a sandy beach, an easy prom and things to do if it rains, so the bigger resorts are hard to beat. Couples and day-trippers after a slower pace may prefer a harbour town with cafés and coastal walks. Out of season, seaside towns have a lovely wistful charm and you'll get the best tables and empty beaches, though some attractions shut over winter. Most promenades are flat and great for wheelchairs and buggies, but old harbour towns can be very steep.

Seaside survival tips

• Park early or use the train – plenty of resorts have stations close to the front, and seafront parking goes quickly on sunny days.
• Guard your chips – seagulls are not to be trusted.
• Check tide times before heading onto the sands or rockpools.
• Bring change for the arcades and set a budget for the kids before they spot the cranes.
• Pack layers – sea breezes can make a warm day feel chilly.
• Stay for the evening – seafront lights and a sunset walk are often the highlight.

Fancy a trip to the coast? The cards above point you to seaside favourites, and the town pages are packed with ideas for arcades, food and places to stay along the way.

Make a seaside trip work for your group

Start with the town, then work out what you want from the day. A beach and a bag of chips might be plenty. If you want to spend longer there, add an arcade, a pier, somewhere to eat or a place to stay. The destination guide is the place to bring those choices together before you set off.

Think about the people coming with you as well. A long walk along the front sounds lovely until somebody is tired, the weather changes or the thing they wanted to do is at the other end of town. Pick a main stop, leave time for a drink and something to eat, and keep an indoor option in mind. You can always fit another stop in if the day is going well.

For a starting point, open Blackpool, Skegness or Great Yarmouth, then see what else belongs in your day.