The best sandy beaches in England

Croyde Bay in North Devon is an ever-popular sandy beach, regarded by locals as one of the prettiest beaches along the coast. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, from sand dunes and headlands to the rolling green hills of the Devon countryside, Croyde Bay draws in visitors from afar for its golden sands. This Blue-Flag beach also has a reputation as one of the UK’s best beaches for surfing.

Trains to Croyde Bay

• Exeter St Davids > Barnstaple (Great Western, direct, 1 hour and 6 minutes)

• Taunton > Barnstaple (Great Western, 1 change, 1 hour and 37 minutes)

To get to Croyde Bay by train, simply travel to Barnstaple Station by train then take one short bus straight to the beach.

What to do at Croyde Bay

Swim and surf

Protected by two headlands, the beach offers a sheltered spot, which makes it one of the best beaches for swimming in Devon. With a seasonal lifeguard service and high water quality, everyone can experience the beautiful blue waves. Croyde Bay’s steep, powerful waves also draw in surfers from far and wide.

Explore the North Devon National Landscape

Croyde Bay is one of North Devon’s prettiest beaches and one that retains a more natural feel. From the beachfront, you can stroll through the landscape to other nearby beaches and beauty spots, including Baggy Point (National Trust), Putsborough Beach and Woolacombe Beach.

For the most scenic beaches in England, you would do well to beat the rugged coastline of Northumberland. With a wide sandy bay, impressive sand dunes and a delightful river, the landscape is truly a feast for the eyes, while hikers and cyclists alike will enjoy the many trails on and around the beach – dogs are welcome on Alnmouth Beach too. From Alnmouth Beach, you’ll get great views of the pretty little village of Alnmouth, which is well worth a visit for its charming cafes.

Trains to Alnmouth Beach

• Newcastle > Alnmouth (LNER, direct, 24 minutes)
• Edinburgh > Alnmouth (LNER, direct, 59 minutes)
• York > Alnmouth (LNER, Transpennine Express, Northern, 1 change, 1 hour and 43 minutes)

What to do at Alnmouth Beach

Immerse yourself in the scenery

Northumberland beaches are considered some of the most dramatic coastlines around, and Alnmouth Beach is certainly one of the best sandy beaches in England for natural beauty. Walk along the beachfront or on nearby hiking trails to experience the breathtaking views in this part of the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Play a round of golf

Close to the beach are two great golf courses, making Alnmouth Beach a perfect location for a weekend golf trip.

With the iconic view of colourful beach huts, a beautiful sandy beach and lots of space for ball games and kite flying, Whitby Beach is a Blue-Flag beach with abundant activities for the whole family. From crazy golf and pitch and putt to trampolines and bumper boats, this is one of the best sandy beaches in the UK for a family-friendly seaside day out.

Note that dogs are not allowed on the south end of West Cliff Beach; for those visiting Whitby with dogs a better choice is Tate Hill Beach, on the other side of the River Esk, another sandy beach in Whitby that allows four-legged friends all year round.

Trains to Whitby Beach

• Middlesbrough > Whitby (Northern, direct, 1 hour and 29 minutes)

• York > Whitby (Transpennine Express, Northern, 1 change, 2 hour and 34 minutes)

What to do at Whitby Beach

Games on the beach and nearby

A wide sandy beach is the perfect spot for fun and games, whether it’s beach cricket, frisbee or football. If you want to get active without having sand between your toes, just behind Whitby Beach you’ll find crazy golf, trampolines, an outdoor paddling pool and a skateboard area.

Embrace the sea breeze

Climb up to the clifftop for panoramic views of the North Sea, Whitby Abbey, and the East Cliff. It may be breezy, but the views are worth it!

Cornwall is undoubtedly one of the best locations in England for beautiful golden beaches and glorious sunny weather. One of the best sandy beaches in Cornwall is Porthminster Beach, which sparkles with clear blue water and perfect, smooth sands. While relaxing on the beach, visitors can enjoy scenic views over St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse.

Trains to Porthminster Beach

• Plymouth > St Ives (Cornwall), (Cross Country & Great Western, 2 hours 4, 1 change)

• Truro > St Ives (Cornwall), (Great Western, 46 minutes, 1 change)

What to do at Porthminster Beach

Mini golf and more

As a Blue-Flag beach resort, Porthminster Beach has all the facilities to make it one of the best family-friendly beaches in Cornwall. A superb 18-hole mini golf course will provide hours of fun for the whole family, while a stroll along the promenade is a great way to wile away a lazy afternoon at the beach.

Bask on the beach

A trip to one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in England wouldn’t be complete without building a sandcastle or two! Bask in the golden sand (or on a deck chair), then head out for swim in the beautiful clear water.

This popular Essex seaside resort truly has something for everyone. With two theatres showing a wide array of styles, a splendid Victorian pier and the glow of golden sand, Clacton-on-Sea has a lot to offer. And thanks to its excellent rail links throughout Essex and beyond, if you’re looking for a day out by train at the best sandy beaches in England, getting to Clacton-on-Sea couldn’t be easier!

Trains to Clacton-on-Sea Beach

• Colchester > Clacton-on-Sea (Greater Anglia, direct, 29 minutes)

• Ipswich > Claton-on-Sea (Greater Anglia, 1 change, 1 hours 3 mins)

• London Liverpool Street > Clacton-on-Sea (Greater Anglia, direct, 1 hour 26 mins)

What to do at Clacton-on-Sea Beach

Activities for the whole family

For a classic British seaside holiday, Clacton-on-Sea has everything you could ask for! Its pleasure pier can keep the family entertained for hours, while the resort’s numerous amusements and water sports cater to every type of beachgoer.

Explore the Sunshine Coast

Regarded as the jewel in the crown of the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’, Clacton-on-Sea is a beautiful place to get active and explore the sights in glorious sunny weather.

Four sandy beaches for the price of one! In East Portlemouth and Salcombe, South Devon, you can find four sandy beaches within a stone’s throw of each other, either side of Kingsbridge Estuary. These stunning scenic beaches are perfect for those who prefer to be a little off the beaten track, as they are more remote than many of Devon’s more touristy beachfronts. But that’s not to say that they are hard to get to by train, requiring just one convenient bus from nearby Totnes Station.

Trains to East Portlemouth Beaches

• Plymouth > Totnes, (Cross Country or Great Western, 27 minutes, direct)

• Exeter St Davids > Totnes, (Cross Country, 31 minutes, direct)

• Yeovil Junction > Totnes, (South Western and Great Western, 1 hour 41 minutes, 1 change)

To get to East Portlemouth Beaches from Totnes Station, you’ll then need to take one bus straight to Salcombe.

What to do at East Portlemouth Beaches

Walk the coast path

Breathtaking scenery is not surprising in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but hikers are certainly treated to some of the best views over Salcombe and its beaches. Whether it’s Salcombe North Sands Beach, Sunny Cove Beach or Mill Bay, the views are simply jaw dropping.

Take the ferry

To get between Salcombe and East Portlemouth, you can take a short ferry ride over the Kingsbridge Estuary. Experience several of the most scenic beaches in Devon in a day!

As one of the top beaches for swimming and with some of the most beautiful golden sand, Bournemouth Beach has to be one of the best sandy beaches in England for a classic seaside trip. Whether you’re planning to lie in the golden sand, swim in sparkling waters or take a long hike along miles of beautiful beach front, Bournemouth Beach has it all. And with great access from Bournemouth Station, it is also one of the best beach days out by train on the south coast.

Trains to Bournemouth Beach

• Southampton Central > Bournemouth (South Western Railway, direct, 37 minutes)
• London Waterloo > Bournemouth (South Western Railway, direct, 1 hour 45)
• Oxford > Bournemouth (Cross Country, direct, 1 hour 57)

What to do at Bournemouth Beach

Long beach walks

One of the best sandy beaches in England for long beach walks, Bournemouth is lucky to have more than ten miles of connected beaches.

Food galore

Being so close to Bournemouth town gives beachgoers access to a wide range of food choices. After exploring the town, settle into one of Bournemouth’s many independent cafes and restaurants for a relaxed afternoon – and delicious food!

The best sandy beaches in England offer the best day out for anyone who likes building sandcastles, lying in the sun, exploring new natural environments, playing in the sea or making the most of beach attractions and activities. Moreover, some of the best beaches in the UK for swimming, surfing or family fun also have wide sandy beaches, so you can get a full seaside experience.

And to make your day out extra special, it is a great idea to travel there by train. Getting to the coastline without suffering long traffic jams or the search for a parking space allows your adventure to get off to the perfect start.

Whether you’re planning a day of surfing (if so, check luggage rules before you travel, as most train operators do not allow surfboards onboard) or sandcastle building, travelling by train is quick, convenient and cheap.

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