English seaside resorts specific towns resorts English Seaside Resorts: Specicfic Towns Figure 1.--This is the Promenade along the beach at Fleetwood. Note Pharos Lighthouse. This postcard is undated, but we would guess the photograph was taken about 1910. Britain is an island. As a result there are quite a number of beach resort towns scattered all along the coast. Some of course are much better known than others. We have begun to compile information on quite a number of the different resorts. our British readers will provoide us some information on their experiences at these resorts. They appear to have been very popular during the late 19th abd early 20th centurues. We note people dressed rather formaslly during thos era. The British today ofcourse take off for the Canary Ilands and other foreign resorts where the water is a good bit warmer. Blackpool (Lancashire*) Blackpool is another very well known resort along the northwestern Irish Sea coast. It is perhaps the busiest holiday resort on England. Blackpool was traditionlly part of Lancashire but since 1998 has been an independent unitary authority.

There are many nearby towns with popular beach resorts (Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's). Blackpool was enormously popular in the first half of the 20th century. Geographically it was accesable to the industrial Midlands, northern England, and Glasgow. Factory workers took their annual holidays in Blackppol and other neaby resorts. Huge number of inexpessive accomodations were built for working-class families. Photograph from that era show working-class families and huge crowds on the beach and promenade. One source reports that Blackpool still has more accomodations than the entire country of Portugal. Blackpool itself is the most heavily urbanised of the Irish Coast resort. English seaside resorts are famous for their holiday piers with a range of attractions. Blackpool has three piers. The North pier is the oldest built in 1863. The Central Pier was built soon after in 1868. The South pier is the newest, built in 1893. Blackpool also has a Tower, built in 1894. The Blackpool Tower is a 518-foot replica of Paris' Eiffel Tower.

It was painted gold in 1994 as part of a centenary celebration. Blackpool has a popular tramway (trollie) that runs along to the coastvto some of the other beavh communities. The Blackppol Tramway was for many years England's only working tramway. There has been a revival of tramways in England and several other cities in recent years have rebuilt their tramways. Blackpool and other English resorts were adversely affected when cheap air travel became available in the 1960s. Until the 60s working class Britons did not commonly cross the Channel. This changed dramatically when the average Briton found that for aout the same cost he could vacation abroad (especially Spain) where the water was actually warm! Blackpool was especially affected because it was such at important beach resort and the economy was so completely devoted to tourism. There has in recent years, however, been a recival. Blackpool can't compete woth the Mediterrean weather. Onstead to foucus now is on entertainment. Blackpool specializes as a summer entertainment venue. There are popular variety shows. And it is no longer just a summer vacation resort.

Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts conferences and is especially known for political events. The Blackpool Illuminations (fireworks) held during September and October are extremely popular even after the main tourist season. Brighton (East Sussex*) Brighton is perhaps the most well known English beach resort. It is located south of London in East Sussex. (Sussex has been divided into two portions, East and West and these are administered as two separate counties. Some little while ago, Brighton was amalgamated with its next door neighbour and great rival--Hove. The two became known as the City of Brighton & Hove, on top of that, the city is what is known as a Unitary Authority, which means that, although it is geographically in the County of Sussex, administratively it is entirely separate from county council control.) Elegant hotels were built facing the beach. More modest boarding houses were built in the town. We notice camping at Brighton as early as the 1880s. Brighton can be reached in a little over an hour by train making it very accessable to the people of London. Thus it is a major destination of day trippers. Brighton is quite famous for a number of other reasons.

It was a famous venue for what were known as 'dirty weekends', in the old less-permissive days! The hotels and boarding houses were full of 'Mr & Mrs Smiths', which caused a lot of problems for real Smiths. A colleague of mine said he got quite a lot of 'funny looks' from the staff, when he was on his honeymoon, which does not mean that he had his honeymoon at Brighton. This was a general alias for this activity! Brighton is also famous for the annual rally of vintage cars, which was immortalised in the film "Genevieve" (1953). Brigton is also noted for a BBC film shot out of the train driver's cab, which was speeded up and purported to be "London to Brighton in Four Minutes" (1952). A British reader writes, "This was shown on TV quite a lot of times, but I haven't seen it now for a long time. It was quite impressive in those days as it apparently hurtled through towns and villages en route, at 840 miles per hour. I remember it aways impressed me as it slowed down and gently and sedately slid towards the buffers at Brighton".

Another English reader writes, "We took day trips to London. I enjoyed both the beach and pier as well as the train ride. Brighton was also the scene of the 'Mods and Rockers' fights in the early 1960s." Cleveleys (Lancashire) Cleveleys is one of the smaller seaside resorts. It is located along the Fylde Coast of Lancashire. It is located close to the much better known resort of Blackpool. There is no long pier, but a charming promenade along the beach. The towns' website tells us, "... along the promenade you can enjoy the traditional seaside entertainment with amusement arcades and bingo halls, or take the children to Kiddies Corner where they can have hours of fun on all the mini adventure rides." Eastbourne (East Sussex*) One of the most popular English seaside resorts was Eastbourne--because it was close to London. The attached postcard (figure 1) was mailed from Eastbourne during August, I would guess around in the early 1920s, which of course could be different then when the photograph for the card was taken. It was sent my a boy named Percy to a friend in London.

It reads, Dear Frank, We bathe (Brit speak for swim) every morning now. Altogether we have had fairly nice weather. There have been two waterplanes down here. One has had a slight accident & is still here. Yours Percy. Some of the seaside towns have become noted esorts like Blackpool and Brighton. Others are lesser known but important locally. Fleetwood (Lancashire) Fleetwood is one of several beaches along the Fylde coastal plain. The other beaches include: Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Flyde, Poulton, Rossal, Thornton, ans Wyre. Vacationers fim Liverppol traveled via Bispham, Norbreck, and Cleveleys, a senic journey along Alantic (Irish Sea) coast cliffs. There was also a tram from Blackpool. The attractions at Fleetwood itself included the Promenade, Espplanade, Marine Walk, and Pier. There was also a Marine Garden. The principal street was Bold Street. The most prominant part feature of the beach front was Pharos Lighthouse designed by Sir Decimus Burton. The largest hotel was the North Euston Hotel.

Agood view of the sea could be had at The Mount and surrounding gardens. There was also a steamboat ferry, Mona's Queen to the Isle of Man. The sailing was coordinated with the arrival of the 2:15 pm train. There were ships to Scotland and Ireland,Fleetwood was not just a beach resort, it was also a busy port, with freigters arriving from all over the world. There was also an active fishing fleet. There was a white monument to honor the fishermen Abram and Greenall, who lost their lives trying to save another fisherman. Gordon Beach (Sussex?) We note a scene at Gordon Beach in 1950. It shows children's beachwear at the time. Notably many younger boys had bib-front suits. The children are mostly paddling in the water. We don't see many simmers. The cold water of course is a factor. And the Channel is in the south and the warmest water off Britain. We think Gordon's Beach is a Channel beach in Sussex, but are not positive at this time. It looks to be a working-class beach, perjaps day trippers from Londob. Hopefully our British readers will know more.

Lowestoft (Suffolk) Lowestoft is a North Sea coast port in Suffolk which is part of East Anglia. At the time it was a fishing port of some importance, but also had a pier and popular beaches. The center of the tourist trade was Claremont Pier built in 1903. It is Lowestoftï¿½s principal pier. It served the local community and touriss staying in local hotels as well as steamers coming from London. There would have been all kinds of entertaiment activities on the pier for these children, but here they are off the beach. The beaches are quite different than the Channel beaches. They are sandy and gently slopeing, ideal for children playing in the sand. And the water as at all North Sea beaches is really cold--even in the Summer. A British reader writes, "We went to the North Sea coast from Yorkshire (to Scarborough) and the North Sea is known for being freezing unlike the channel resorts on the South Coast. It is interesting that they ran steamers to Lowestoft from London!. I didn't know that before." A World War I naval battle was fought off Lowestoft.

We have an image showing an unidentified family at Lowestoft durng the early 1930s. A few years after this photograph was taken, World War II broke out and the pier was taken over by the Army. After the War the Army kept it for several years and was then largely abandoned. Ut has since been partially restored. The local authorities explain the state in 2005, "Unfortunately, further damage over the years has left the pier somewhat the worse for wear. Although much has been done to restore the shoreward end, the pier head is very run-down and remains closed to the public. Still, thereï¿½s a fair bit of entertainment to be had on whatï¿½s left of it, with an amusement arcade, take-away food and all the rest of it. Special mention should go to Captain Nemoï¿½s Fish & Chips. Why not get a Blue Raspberry Slush Puppy to go with that battered huss?" Margate (Kent) Margate is a southern North Sea seaside town located at the northeastern tip of Kent. The town's history has been from the beginning associated with the sea. Margate is just north of the entrnce to the Channel at Dover.

Dover id of course the closr point between Englnd nd France. As aresult during world War II, small shipsfrom Margate participated in the Dunkirk evacuation. And Dunkirk was was in esence seen as a 'limb' of Dover in the ancient confederation of the Cinque ports. It joined the confederation in the late medieval period (15th century). Margate has been an important British seaside resort from the early period in which the seaside and bathing began to be popular in England during the 18th century. It was not until the coming of the railways (1846), however, that large numbers of Londoners began to take advantage of Margate' beaches. Margate like neighboring Ramsgate, has thus been a popular holiday destination for Londoners because of the wide sandy beaches. Margate's wonderful Victorian era pier was destroyed by a powerful Northsea storm (1978). We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken in a classic sailor outfit at the W.G. Fair studio. They did not, however, use a beach backdrop or even beach toys.

Like Brighton and Southend, Margate was infamous for gang violence between mods and rockers (1960s) and then mods and skinheads (1980s). Morecambe (Lancastershire) Morecambe is a resort town located right within the Lancaster city. The beach faces Morecambe Bay, a part of the Irish Sea. This protected location means that the waves are more gentle than many Brirish beaches. Morecomb provided a wonderful local venue for ciy residents attempting to escape the summer heat. It is easily accessible by bus frm anywhere in the city. Nearby Blackpool is much better known and the poredomant venue for holiday-makers from the Lancashire mill towns. Many visitors to Morecambe came from the nort, Yorkshire and Scotland. The beach in recentyears has has a facelift. There is now glistening golden sands replacing the pebble beaches and a 5 mile stretch of level promenade with innovative bird sculptures and public artworks. The Stone Jetty is now a prominant local attraction. The beach has the Lakeland Hills as a backdrop. St.

Ives (Cornwall) Corwall was a source of tin in the ancient world, a vital ingredientb in making bronze. We do not known what part iof any St. Ives was involved, but there were maritime conndections with theMediterranean world. St. Ives first appears in history With the legdend of St. Ia or Hya. She was an Irish princess who introduced Christianity to Corwall (5th century AD). King Edward I granted St Ives a charter (1295). St Ives was an isolated fisjing village in southestern England for most of its history. It was accessable mostly by sea because of the poor roads in England. This how destinctive dialects and accents survived in Corrwall and other places. This only changed with the coming of the railway. The Great Western Railway began running its Broad Gauge trains on a new branch line (1877). This greatly increased the accessibility of the people in Cornwall to the rest of England. For St. Ives, the development was especually important. It went ffom being a relatively poor fishing village to a fashionable holiday destination. People in London could reach St.

Ives in a few hours when graveling by rail. And it continues to be popular. St Ives was won the 'Seaside Town of the Year' in the annual Guardian contest (2007). St. Ives and Cornwall boasts Britain's mildest climate, There are wonderfull broad beaches that children enjoy, perfect for building sand castles. Scarborough (Yorkshire) Scarborough is a North Sea beach resprt. A British reader, Bill , had grandparents in Yorkshire. He tells us his experiences along the Yorkshire coast where he especially liked to hunt seashells. He also noted the water was colder than the southern beaches he was used to-although once in the water he didn't seem to mind. Shanklin (Isle of Wight) Shanklin is a popular Channel seaside resort on the Isle of Wight near Sandown along the south coast. In addition to the sandy beach are a charming old village and the chine. Hotels and restaurants are located at the esplanade along the beach. We note an unidentified boy having his portrait taken at the Brown studio some time around the turn of the20th century. The studio of course has seaside backdrops.

The boy wears a sailor outfit, popular wear for both boys and girls at these resorts. Skegness (Lincolnshire) Skegness is a beach resort in Lincolnshire along the eastcoast. It was until the 19th century a virtually unknown coastal village where fishing in the North Sea was the major economic activity. The development of the railroad in the mid-19th century was key factor in making Slegness and other coastal towns important beach resorts. The rilroads meant that working people could inexpesively travel to the coast for a seaside vacation. The railroad put workers from the industrial Midlands within esy traveling distance of Skegness. It was a very popular beach resort by the turn of the 20th century and at the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. After World War II more English families acquired cars opening a wider range of vacation trips. This affected the popularity of Skegness. South Shields (Tyne and Wear) South Shields is a town in Northeast England, which stands on the south bank of the River Tyne estuary.

South Shields was part of the County Durham until local government reorganisation in 1974, when it became part of the Metropolitan County of Tyne and Wear. It is a town steeped in history that goes back to the time of the Romans who had a settlement here in an area of the town called the Lawe Top. The settlement had fort known as Arbeia and here was a vast stone built granary. The fort also played an important part as a supply centre for Hadrian's Wall, which stretched from the Soloway Firth in the west of England, to Wallsend in the east. A replica of the fort has been built along with a museum of Roman artefacts on the site of the original fort. At the mouth of the Tyne are the two piers, one on the north side at Tynemouth, which is much shorter than its southern counterpart at South Shields, which measures one mile from beginning to end. While the north pier is straight, the south pier is winding. At the end of the two piers are unmanned lighthouses. Southend-on-Sea (Essex) Southend-on-Sea boasts of 7 miles of broad, sandy beaches.

The best known is the Jubilee Beach--always above high tide. The cornerstone of Victorian beach resorts was the amusement piers that jutted out into the sea. Southend-on-Sea has the longest pleasure pier in the world. There are over 80 parks and open spaces of varying size, 40 playgrounds, 6 nature and fourteen historic conservation areas, abnd 16 allotment sites. There are also four museums, two theatres, two art galleries, seven libraries, three casinos, a bowling alley, a sealife centre, the largest fun park in the south-east, a skateboard park, five leisure centres, a watersports centre, even an airport. I'm not sure how much of that was there in Victorian times. We note a family visit about the turn-of-the 20th century. Southend also has a brand new, state of the art building for the South East Essex College, is the site for the new University of Essex, and is served by two major railway networks. Southsea (Hampshire) Southsea is a beachresort in Hampshire adjacent to Portsmouth on the English Channel.

In addition to the beach is a castle built by Henry VIII (1544) before the idea of bathing had caught the public's fancy. Southsea Castle was one of a series of fortifications built by Henry to protect the English coast from from foreign invaders. Notably Henry's flagship, the Mary Rose sank in view of the Castle. The only major military action fought in the Castle occurred during the Civil War. Parliamentarian forces besiged and captured the Castle. It is now one of the major actractions of Southsea. Southsea beach is mostly shingle and slopes quite rapidly into the sea. The seafront is one of the most popular recreation areas in Portsmouth area. The beach extends along the whole southern end of Portsea Island from Old Portsmouth to Eastney. Adjacent to the beach and seafront promenade is Southsea Common, an extensive open space. It was once a military preserve but is now used for kite flying, picnics and informal ball games. We have loaded a photograph of South Sea in 1910. Notice all the different outfits the children wear and the activites involved. This is a fantastic scene. Its like one of those paintings you look at and keep finding a human story in the detail.

Look for a boy riding his tricycle. Boys walking with mum playing king of the castle on the cannon. (And the sign saying that children are prohibited from climbing on the cannon.) This cannon is still there today. Boys are up to all sorts of things. Two are digging on the beach. Have a look and see what stories I have missed. About the only thing they aren't doing is swiming. Swanage (Dorset) Swanage is a small town on the English Channel that has been a popular seaside resport since the late-19th century when railroads brought even distant resorts in easy travel range from London. It is located at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. Swanage was considered a trendy resort for the rich. Todsay the appeal is more to the average tourist. Swanage and its environs offer a wide range of attractions. First of course are the beaches to the north at Studland Bay with its impressive cliffs as a bsackdrop. A traditional trat was the Punch and Judy shows. There are parks, gardens and museums. Corfe Castle is nearby. The children once well tosted from the beach will enjoy a ride on the Swanage Railway.

Moodern viitors can mountainbiking along the Purbeck Hills. And dinosaur-mad boys will enjoy the Purbeck, now billed the Jurassic Coast. The unique geology gives Purbeck a special character and wildlife. Purbeck has been gawarded UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find sedimentary rocks, which were formed over 100 million years ago. Torbay (Devon) Torbay is an important natural hartbor and rare east-facing bay in Devon along the Channel. It is located at the western most end of Lyme Bay midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Tourist authorities call it the English Riviera because of wonderful sandy beaches and relatively mild climate. The cold Channel water, however, is a far cry from the Riverra. It is one of England's popular beach resort depite the fact it vis located at some distance from London. Younger children in particular delight with playing in the sand. And it is the Torbay beaches that are the big tourist attractuions. A popular modern attraction is the Liiving Coasts (partnered with Paignton Zoo) , the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and the Hi-Flyer tethered helium balloon.

And of course a mist for visitors is a Devon cream tea. Weston-Super-Mare (Somerset) An English reader remembers his family caravan trips to the seaside during the 1960s. Weston-Super-Mare was one of several beaches Bill remembers staying at. ---------------------------------- * The British, unlike Americans, keep switching around the borders of their counties. We simple colonials might think that after 1,000 years there has been plenty of time to get it right, but our British friends apparently are still working on it. Sussex has been split into two. In addition some towns have become separated from the counties in which they were formerly are located. Blackpool and Eastbourne, for example, were traditionlly part of Lancashire and Sussex but have since become independent unitary authorities. We have placed the counties by the resorts primarily to provide a rough geographic reference for non-English readers. Britain's best beaches: 50 of the nation's top stretches of sand | Daily Mail Online comments According to forecasters, Britain has just embarked on a long-awaited heatwave – finally banishing an interminable period of awful weather.

There's only one place the British want to be when the sun breaks through – and to help you make the very most of being beside the sea this summer, we've produced this indispensable guide to Britain's 50 best beaches, along with information on the country's best piers, seaside pubs and restaurants and, of course, fish and chips. This summer's off to a flyer: Let's reignite our love affair with British coastal resorts (pic: Bamburgh in Northumberland) The seaside has always enjoyed a special place in the affections of we Brits. When I was a boy in South Wales, a day trip to Barry Island or Weston-super-Mare was as much fun as any of us had the right to expect. Recalling some of my happiest childhood days, I conjure up those sunbaked afternoons (it was always sunny when we went to the seaside) eating 99s, as trails of ice cream ran down my arm. The British, more than any other nationality, have an unbridled delight in a day at the beach. Sunshine at last: Britain is currently basking in gorgeous temperatures and there's never been a better time to explore our coastline...

One of the first tunes I can remember hearing on the radio was Reginald Dixon at the organ of the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool playing Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside. When industrial labourers first earned the money – and the time – for holidays, they knew they wanted to be beside the sea: on summer's days, millions headed in trains and charabancs for resorts like Blackpool, Brighton and Scarborough. These were places that became wholly devoted to jollity ('There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool,' observed Stanley Holloway in the famous monologue Albert And The Lion, 'That's noted for fresh-air and fun.') For a country once better known for its buttoned-up puritan work ethic than its ability to have a laugh, the seaside provided a rare annual opportunity for the British to loosen their stays. Shakespeare described England as 'this sceptered isle... this precious stone set in a silver sea'. The British are an island race, the sea is in our blood, so it was probably not surprising that a trip to the coast made all our pulses beat a little faster.

The English countryside is lovely but there is an excitement in the wide sea views and the rolling waves that we find impossible to resist. With the rise of the package holiday in the 1960s, however, we British began to fall out of love with our seaside. The Mediterranean had no piers, funfairs nor fish and chip shops (and, let's be honest, its beaches are terrible) – but it did have endless sunshine, cheap hotels, bargain booze and the sense of sophistication conferred by the very act of taking a plane to a foreign place. While the likes of Benidorm boomed, British resorts struggled to get by. Boarding houses that once welcomed happy families became dole hostels. But the wheel has turned again. Thanks to a huge rise in the cost of flying, a slump in the value of the pound and a tightening of family budgets, it's the Mediterranean package-holiday resorts that are under pressure now. In 2013, Britain's seaside is enjoying a new lease of life. People who once boasted of their fondness for foreign parts, now express a new passion for Cornwall, Pembrokeshire or Fife.

Padstow is the new St Tropez, Cardiganshire has the allure of Tuscany, Dorset the subtle charms of Mykonos. The British seaside, once all candy floss and chips, now has Michelin-starred eating places offering the finest seafood cuisine, affordable gastropubs and mouthwatering 'real food' shops. And where there were once Spartan boarding houses run by Medusan landladies, we can now luxuriate in boutique guest houses today more likely to be scented with potpourri than the reek of fry-ups. The seaside still has its piers and penny arcades but now there are also arts festivals and literary events. So flop down in your deckchair, don a knotted handkerchief against that unfamiliar sunshine, and take a dip into this guide to the best that the British seaside has to offer. SOUTH WEST 1 Blackpool Sands, Devon This is the 'other' Blackpool – in Devon – and it couldn't be more different from Lancashire. Blackpool Sands, set in a sheltered bay surrounded by pines, is an award-winning privately managed family beach three miles west of Dartmouth.

It offers family-friendly attractions from sand pits to a bathing raft, a range of delicious food and a beach shop. Not that one! Blackpool Sands in Devon is privately managed and has garnered awards for its facilities 2 Studland Beach, Dorset This picturesque four-mile stretch of golden sand is near the Poole Harbour starting point of the South West coastal path (incredibly it terminates 630 miles away in Minehead). So this is the perfect place to combine a beach visit with a good walk: you can choose everything from a short sandy stroll to a day's hike. The nearby heathland – which appears in Hardy's Wessex novels as Egdon Heath – is brimming with wildlife and offers more walking opportunities. At this time of year the barbecue-friendly, perfect for picnics Dorset beach comes alive, with many taking to the seas in boats available to hire. 3 Bournemouth One of Bournemouth's attractions is that the town overlooks seven miles of golden sand, providing arguably one of the best city beaches in the UK. Its soft sand and acres of space mean it is perfect for families who will also welcome the fact it has won awards for cleanliness.

On a clear day you can see the Needles on the Isle of Wight. Not a deserted paradise, but you can't ask for much more so close to a major town. Super sands: Weston-super-Mare continues to be a favourite for British seaside goers and now has its famous pier back 4 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset Weston's star, which burnt so bright until the 1960s, has dimmed since (its low point came in 2008 when the Grand Pier burnt down). The pier is back, however, and so is Weston because it offers all you want from a seaside resort (including donkey rides). A huge beach where at low tide the sea practically disappears, this is a day-trip place par excellence. 5 Woolacombe, Devon People arriving at the beach are horrified when told to pay £6 for a day's parking. But everybody leaves satisfied and delighted with their day by the sea. And why shouldn't they? Woolacombe holds the VisitEngland Awards For Excellence gold award for best family resort and was previously voted the Best British Beach by The Mail on Sunday.

Its beach lies between Morte Point and Baggy Point: a three-mile stretch of luscious golden sands famous for their cleanliness, water quality and facilities. 6 Croyde Bay, Devon If your inner Beach Boy is keen to discover what surfing is all about there is no better place to find out than this attractive beach. Powerful waves and excellent surf schools and surf shops have helped establish Croyde Bay's reputation as North Devon's best beach for catching waves. Despite armies of young surfers keen to party, the village still boasts an olde worlde charm. If you're not interested in surfing, there is plenty of room for sunbathers, swimmers and beach cricketers. 7 Saunton Sands, North Devon This three-and-a-half-mile stretch of golden sand, backed by the rolling expanse of Braunton Burrows, provides one of the most impressive dune systems in the country. The beach faces west and is cut off to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. This vast expanse of sand is perfect for families who want to spread out.

It's also a favourite for its excellent surf, while other sports include kite surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding Soft underfoot: Saunton Sands near Braunton on the North Devon coast boasts an impressive dune system 8 Watergate Bay, Cornwall The most fashionable of Cornwall's beaches, two miles north of Newquay, this is where you can try the latest surf craze: last year stand-up paddleboarding, this year 'dually bodyboarding' (two people clinging to a double-sized bodyboard with four handles and launching headfirst into the surf). All this plus the estimable Watergate Bay Hotel and the excellent Jamie Oliver Fifteen restaurant. 9 Crantock, Cornwall Crantock is a short drive from the big resort of Newquay but a world away from all the rough-and-tough surfer dudes and raucous pubs; this is a splendidly delightful hidden cove situated beside a charming village with a brace of equally charming old English pubs. It's a great place for families, nicely sheltered and patrolled by lifeguards in summer. Access is via the National Trust car park. To reach the beach, you need to clamber over a giant sand dune.

You'll discover a cove that's more Caribbean than Cornwall. On the right is the tidal River Gannel, where you can catch a ferry to Fern Pit. Here you can order a cooked lobster, caught that morning, or opt for a stunning cliff-top walk. 10 Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, Cornwall Opposite Tate St Ives is one of Cornwall's prettiest beaches. Here, the long white sands are overlooked by the Porthmeor Beach Cafe which serves great tapas and cakes in heated outdoor booths. The Yellow Canary cafe is the place for the best pasties, plus great tea and coffee in relaxed, contemporary surroundings. For a break from the beach, head to the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden. Cornish beauty: The rugged landscape at Porthcurno, just southeast of Land's End, is a sight to behold 11 St Martin's, Isles of Scilly St Martin's offers you an ideal location for a family break with amazingly secluded, clean beaches and gobsmacking scenery (you have to keep reminding yourself you're just a ten-minute flight away from Penzance).

St Martin's is the third largest of the Isles of Scilly, arguably the most seductive, and reached by a frequent boat service from the main island, St Mary's. There are also boat links to other islands. You can take boat trips to the Eastern Isles to view seal and bird colonies, or to the amazing Bishop Rock lighthouse. Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Hanbury's, Babbacombe ( hanburys.net ) has served local fish for three decades. Best pub Old Coastguard, Mousehole ( oldcoastguard hotel.co.uk ), St Austell beer and great views. Best ice cream Treleavens, Polperro ( treleavens.co.uk ). Award-winning Cornish ice creams and sorbets using local cream and milk. Best restaurant Fifteen, Watergate Bay ( fifteencornwall.co.uk ). Jamie Oliver's coastal venture. 12 Porthcurno, Cornwall Three miles southeast of Land's End, this gloriously unspoilt beach, hugged by craggy cliffs, has fine white sand made from millennia of sea shells being ground down. There are spectacular cliff-top paths, rock pools and a stream trickling down the beach.

Adjacent is the extraordinary Minack Theatre, which stages open-air plays with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. A large car park 200 yards from the beach leads to a wide footpath which gently slopes to the shore. There is a cafe just across the road from the car park; and the Cable Station Inn, just up the road from the park, serves meals and drinks all day in the holiday season. 13 Kynance Cove, Cornwall This secluded cove two miles north-west of Lizard village has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The country around is famous for rare wildlife, such as the rare Cornish chough (a red-legged, red-billed crow). At low tide, walk down to the sand and picnic surrounded by multicoloured rocks. Great to relax peacefully No need to bring a picnic Clean sea water Lots of fun and games 14 Slapton Sands, Devon Not sandy, in fact, but a fine three-mile pebble beach with wonderful views.

The main access points are at the village of Torcross at the southern end, the memorial car park at mid-point (the memorial commemorates the tragic deaths of 946 US servicemen in an exercise preparing for D-Day) and in the north, the Strete Gate car park (decency warning: the part of Slapton Sands beyond Strete Gate is an unofficial nudist beach). This shingle bar is a wonderfully serene hideaway, the perfect escape if you're looking for some solitude after suffering crowded seaside places. Wales 15 Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula Regularly voted the best beach in the UK – and this year chosen as the third best beach in Europe (tenth in the world!) – this is well worth the journey. Rhossili Bay, with its three miles of sand, is one of the finest places on Earth. From the top of Rhossili Down, you can see across the sea to West Wales, Lundy Island and the North Devon coast. From the Rhossili National Trust shop there is a level walk along the cliff-top to the Old Coastguard Lookout.

If the tide is out, the adventurous can cross the causeway to the tidal island of Worm's Head, where grey seals laze on the rocks below. A career in construction? Rhossili on the Gower in Wales is perfect for building sandcastles 16 Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire There are probably more fabulous beaches in South Wales than in the whole of Greece and its islands. Jump in the car and head for Swansea and points west, and you'll be spoilt for choice. Why not begin your beach hunt at Pembrokeshire's Barafundle Bay? You need to take the cliff path from nearby Stackpole Quay where you can see the green-topped sand dunes and lush woodland scattered throughout the area. Step through a stone archway, and you've entered seaside nirvana. Set among grand limestone cliffs, the blue waters of this secluded beach are popular with families for swimming and kayaking expeditions to explore the many small coves and creeks.

Welsh wonders: The seafront of the Victorian resort town of Llandudno (left) and pretty thrift growing on the cliffs above Marloes Sands in Pembrokeshire 17 Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire This is a beach so stunning, it's a surprise it's taken so long to be signed up by Hollywood, making its first appearance in last year's Snow White And The Huntsman. Locals have been coming here for years, many in the hopes of picking up a fossil, but now Marloes is firmly on the list of 'must visit' beaches for tourists from all over the world. The beach itself is blessedly uncommercialised, but in nearby Marloes village there are toilets, cafes and the excellent pub cuisine of the Lobster Pot Inn. The bay offers fabulous sea views – look out to the uninhabited wildlife reserve island of Skokholm in the distance. Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips D Fecci & Sons, Tenby. Family-owned since 1935 and minutes from the beach. Best pub Stackpole Inn, Stackpole ( stackpoleinn.co.uk ). Great ales near Pembrokeshire coastal path.

Best ice cream Red Boat Ice Cream, Beaumaris, Anglesey ( redboatgelato.com ). Serves flavours such as strawberry, mascapone and balsamic. Best restaurant Gwesty Cymru, Aberystwyth ( gwestycymru.com ). Welsh sirloin on the prom. 18 Newgale Sands, Pembrokeshire This is an impressive piece of beach, even by Pembrokeshire standards. Hardpacked sand, flecked with shells and stones, stretching for more than two miles; the scene belongs in an Impressionist painting. There are also spectacular views to Skomer and Ramsey islands. Look out for scoters (sea ducks) and gannets cruising over from their huge colony on Grassholm. There is a large campsite across the road, along with cafes, ice cream shop, pub and a surf shop. There are plenty of car parks, with free parking at the southern end: access to the beach is via a path over the pebble bank. 19 Abersoch, Gwynedd If you think North Wales beaches are all about Llandudno and Rhyl, take a look at this gem on the wonderful Llyn Peninsula.

The Abersoch main beach is a glorious sweep of sheltered sand, ideal for bathers and watersports lovers alike. Boat trips are available to the St Tudwal and Bardsey islands. Abersoch beach faces the mountains of West Wales, offering spectacular views from the beach. A motor boat exclusion zone provides a secure area for bathers. There is a shop and cafe, and beach huts are available to rent. 20 Llandudno The Queen of North Wales resorts...the Naples of the North...however you call it, Llandudno is a special place for a breath of sea air. An afternoon on Llandudno's North Shore is a chance to enjoy the seaside as it should be, complete with a Victorian pier and a long promenade. You won't be on your own, of course – this is the most popular beach in the area. The sandy West Shore has a play area on the seafront, impressive views of Anglesey and the mountains, the sea cliffs of the Great Orme and some incredible sunsets over the water. PICK OF THE PIERS: FIVE QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH WALKWAYS INTO THE SEA 1.

Blackpool Blackpool Central Pier has always been synonymous with British seaside entertainment and fun since it opened in 1868 with the nicknamed ‘The People’s Pier’. Back in the day, the main attraction was open-air dancing but having survived two fires, the pier is now home to a funfair and a 32m-high Big Wheel along with a theatre, bars and amusement arcades. The most fun at sea since Leonardo DiCaprio drew Kate Winslet. Into the sea: The pier at Southend stretches a whopping 1.34miles...and there's a train if your legs can't take it 2. Brighton Unofficially known as the Palace Pier, Brighton Pier opened in 1899 after costing a massive £27,000 to build. The iconic Victorian pier has featured in a host of TV dramas and films, notably Quadrophenia. Free deckchairs, an amusement arcade and fairground attractions: er, what’s not to like? 3. Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier To be burned down once is a misfortune, to be destroyed by fire twice sounds like carelessness.

After its second fire in 2008, the pier has been impressively remodelled as an ‘indoor theme park’ with the biggest ride a 1000ft go-kart track split over two levels. It also houses Britain’s smallest rollercoaster, a 4D cinema and a three-storey helter skelter. 4. Llandudno Pier The listed Victorian pier was opened in 1858 and is the longest in Wales and the fifth longest in Britain. It is said to be Indian Gothic in style and appears to “float” in the water. It is open every day and a fifteen-minute walk to the end of the pier gives a beautiful view of the surrounding coastline. Arcades, ice cream, candy floss and other seaside attractions can be sampled along the way. 5. Southend Pier Sir John Betjeman said “The Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier”. It’s the longest pleasure pier in the world - measuring 1.34 miles. It has had a troubled history with many fires destroying different parts of the structure. However, in the past decade reinvestment has given the pier a new lease of life.

A brand new Cultural Centre is a venue for concerts, exhibitions and comedy festivals and has an in house café. A railway runs the length of it, if the end of the pier seems too far to walk. South East 21 Frinton-on-Sea, Essex A world away from the kiss-me-quick hat world of nearby Clacton or Walton. The hype is that Frinton is Monaco to Clacton's Nice and, boy, does it play on its reputation. It has a certain antique charm: you can imagine Miss Marple stalking its tree-lined avenues, which sweep down to the elegant esplanade. The beach is sandy and secluded and the seafront lined by Victorian-style beach huts, reminiscent of the days when the town was a favourite retreat for the aristocracy. 22 West Beach Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Part of the charmingly branded 'Sunshine Coast of Essex', this is a traditional sandy beach with a pier, the Pavilion Fun Park and a good range of bars and restaurants. The beach is nigh on perfect for children, with gently shelving sand; Clacton also operates a child-safety wristband scheme for those who get lost on the beach. Good road and rail connections.

23 Three Shells Beach, Southend-on-Sea, Essex A compact sandy beach, just a few minutes' walk from the centre of this ultimate Essex resort. Also nearby are Adventure Island, the pier, the High Street and cafes, shops and amusements. It's the perfect spot for anyone who wants to swim or paddle. The beach is thoroughly cleaned daily and family amenities include a shower and play equipment. I'm reminded of a Cleo Laine song 'Sarf-end, just meant for you, from the first cup of tea to the queue for the loo…' Crikey, was that Cleo Laine…? Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Pilot Inn, Dungeness, Kent ( thepilot.uk. com ). A stone's throw from the sea. Best pub The Coastguard, Dover ( thecoastguard.co.uk ). The closest pub to France. Best ice cream Pelosi's, Ramsgate, Kent. Dailies such as tiramisu and right by the harbour. Best restaurant Pebble Beach, Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire ( pebblebeach-uk. com ).

Al fresco dining on a cliff top 24 Ramsgate, Kent There's a fine collection of excellent beaches on the Isle of Thanet's coast, running north from Pegwell to Minnis Bay. For ease of access, Ramsgate is hard to beat. The sandy beach is several hundred yards deep, backed by a promenade. There are cafes close to the beach with outdoor tables. A bustling Blue Flag bearer, it's an old-fashioned resort with lifeguards, a bay inspector and a summer dogs ban. 25 Camber Sands, East Sussex If you like your beaches big and bare, this is the place to come to enjoy wide expanses of sand beneath a huge sky. Backed by an alpine range of golden dunes, you will find a beach that stretches for seven miles and, at low tide, the sea retreats for half a mile (practically begging you to bring the football or the cricket bat). If you're planning to bask in the sun, bring a windbreak – for the same reason it's the perfect spot to fly a kite. Easy to park and even easier to find a quiet spot.

26 Brighton This has been London's favourite seaside place since the Prince Regent first came to take the waters 200 years ago. It's been knocked about a bit since (the famous clashes between Mods and Rockers in the 1960s didn't help) but Brighton is still the quintessential beach place for many. It's loud, quirky and brash – but then this is what most of us expect. The pebbles are a bit hard on the feet and the sea can be rough – but it's a short walk from the station and you'll never go hungry or thirsty. 27 Littlehampton, West Sussex The town's rebirth began with a brace of beach cafes designed by leading British architects: the West Beach Cafe masterminded by Asif Khan and the undulating, sculptural East Beach Cafe dreamed up by Thomas Heatherwick, the man behind London's Olympic cauldron. But there is much more to this enchanting place than top-class fish and chips. Families will be delighted with the shingle beach and a child-friendly fun fair.

Walk this way...Camber Sands (left) in East Sussex stretches for seven miles while Priory Bay on the Isle of Wight (right) has an almost tropical feel to it 28 West Wittering, West Sussex A devoted band of fans has managed to preserve this as one of the beach world's best-kept secrets. Down a turning off the A27 just beyond Chichester, it's the English seaside as you might remember it. Ample parking and a long beach where you will have plenty of space to stretch out. Bring a kite and a picnic – apart from a perfectly fine small cafe, toilets and shower, there's very little here in the way of organised facilities. But that's what keeps bringing people back. 29 Priory Bay, Isle of Wight An utterley delightful, privately-owned beach accessed via the Priory Bay Hotel. It lies to the east of the village of Nettlestone and faces towards Selsey Bill. If you are keen to visit in style, the hotel has an oyster bar which offers striking sea views. It is surrounded by attractive woodland which gives this quiet spot an intriguing sense of adventure.

To make it the perfect location for a Famous Five yarn, all it needs is a mysterious boat and a couple of dodgy-looking strangers. East Lincolnshire lovelies: Cleethorpes and Skegness both offer traditional donkey rides on their wide, sweeping beaches 30 Central Beach, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire A town on the Humber estuary doesn't sound promising beach resort territory. However, Cleethorpes Central is an unspoilt, fine sandy beach with a gentle gradient perfect for family fun and beach sports. There is a traditional promenade running parallel to Victorian gardens (parking availability on the front is usually pretty good). Nobody will mistake quiet Cleethorpes for Las Vegas but then so much the better. Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Platten's, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk ( plattensfishandchips.co.uk ). Fresh fish cooked to order for the past 50 years. Best pub The Bell Inn, Walberswick, Suffolk ( bellinnwalberswick. co.uk ). With Adnams ales. Best ice cream Lammiman's Newsagents, Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire.

Sells Farmer Brown's tubs. Best restaurant Captain's Table, Cleethorpes ( thecaptainstable.co.uk ). Run by local fishermen. 31 Central Beach, Skegness, Lincolnshire For generations, 'Skeggie' – home of the jolly fisherman ('Skegness is SO bracing!') – was the most perfect seaside place on earth. Soft golden sand between the toes, building giant sandcastles, beach football, a trip down the pier. And no trip to the seaside would be complete without a ride on a Skeggie donkey. The Central Beach is right next to the main promenade so when you've had enough of the beach you can quickly pack up your deck chair and go and have a bit of fun at the fair or take a trip to the shops. Here you will also find ice cream kiosks, cafes and novelty shops, as well as toilet and first aid facilities. 32 Holkham, Norfolk Th is is a beach which invites you to stroll rather than stretch out: the yellow sands have been described as 'mesmerically vast'. Gwyneth Paltrow paced her way across them in Shakespeare In Love while the Queen likes to walk her corgis here.

Towards the back of the beach a line of mismatched huts sit in front of a shady pine wood perfect for hide and seek. Wend your way on powdery sand across the maze of shallow lagoons to the sea. Norfolk winner: Holkham has enjoyed moments on the big screen - Shakespeare in Love was filmed here 33 Cley-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk A stretch of coastline that attracts walkers, bird-watchers, artists and food connoisseurs as well as people looking to bask in the sun and do a spot of paddling. Here you will find both a fine beach and a very nice village: perfectly preserved Cley-Next-The-Sea, between Blakeney and Salthouse, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The pebbly beach is a quieter alternative to busier places along the North Norfolk coast. 34 Southwold, Suffolk This Suffolk town is that rare British phenomenon, a posh seaside place aimed squarely at people who know how to pronounce hors d'oeuvres without making it sound like something unpleasant involving horses. The beach is a treat: a regular winner of the acclaimed Blue Flag award, with its golden sands providing exquisite summer relaxation or long walks all year round.

The promenade is a great place for an afternoon stroll. Or you might prefer to take in the view with a glass of Adnams' highly regarded local beer. Scotland Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips The Bay, Stonehaven ( thebayfishand chips.co.uk ). Voted UK No1 takeaway. Best pub The Old Inn, Gairloch, Wester Ross ( theoldinn.net ). Has its own microbrewery. Best ice cream Nardini's Cafe, Largs ( nardinis.co.uk ) – 35 flavours include peach and passion fruit. Best restaurant Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye ( threechimneys.co.uk ). Local crab and oysters. 35 Huisinis, Isle of Harris Situated 30 miles off the north-west coast of Scotland, you might expect something spectacular in its remoteness. But the first sight of Huisinis will astonish you. You won't find anywhere selling choc ices or offering deckchairs for hire – what you will find, however, is an exquisite cuticle of white sand at the end of a 15- mile, single-track road on the mountainous north coast.

This beach is overlooked by a cluster of crofts and cottages with views across the Atlantic to the uninhabited island of Scarp. 36 Dornoch, Highlands This is a beautiful expanse of golden sand located on the tranquil Dornoch Firth. Visitors can enjoy vast swathes of open sand that stretch from Dornoch Point, heading past Embo beach to the mouth of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve. There isn't much in the way of facilities but bring your own food and you can enjoy a sumptuous picnic. Brooding: The wild beach at Huisinis, North Harris on the Outer Hebrides 37 St Andrews, Fife The opening scenes of Chariots Of Fire, which are supposed to be of Broadstairs in Kent, were actually shot on West Sands beach in St Andrews – one of the most glorious stretches of sea and sand in the whole of the United Kingdom. The film's 'Carlton Hotel, Broadstairs' was actually the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the home of golf. With St Andrews town centre so close to the beach, daytrippers are well served for all their needs.

38 Burntisland, Fife This fine little beach, to the east of Burntisland overlooking the Firth of Forth, has been a Blue Flag winner for 13 consecutive years. There's plenty of ancillary fun: crazy golf, bouncy castles and a summer fairground nearby, and – if the weather fails – there's a swimming pool with flumes and a wave machine a short walk away. 39 Talisker Bay, Skye Talisker Bay stands on the west coast of Skye, one of the most magical places in the UK , and boasts one of the island's few sandy beaches. The beach is quite small, dwarfed by impressive cliffs at either end. This is a beautiful beach of stones and sand, best visited at low tide. There is both black and white sand on the beach, often mottled together to create patterns. A beach to come and be awed by rather than to come and sunbathe. North West Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Richardson's Fish Bar, Fleetwood ( richard sonsfishbar.co.uk ). Family-run favourite. Best pub Taps, Lytham, Lancashire ( thetaps.net ).

Eight beers on tap and near the beach. Best ice cream Notarianni, Blackpool ( notarianniicecreamblackpool.co.uk ). Italian institution. Best restaurant The Waterfront, Whitehaven ( waterfrontwhitehaven.co.uk ). Fresh fish. 40 Morecambe Bay Morecambe has been described as a 'mini-Blackpool', which actually doesn't do this classic English seaside town sufficient justice. The first thing that the visitor notices is the spectacular view across the sands of the bay to the Lake District. Check out the wonderful Midland Hotel, a classic piece of Thirties architecture which has been recently restored. Stroll the promenade, admire the statue of comedian Eric Morecambe, fly a kite or simply build sandcastles, a perfect afternoon in the sun beckons. 41 Blackpool Europe's most popular costal town, attracting ten million visitors a year. It's big, it's brash, it's saucy. There's Blackpool Tower, the trams and the Pleasure Beach with white-knuckle rides.

It's not everyone's cup of tea, the sea water may not be perfect and there are much quieter places, but you can bet your kiss-me-quick hat nowhere else tries quite so hard to put a smile on your face. 42 Lytham St Annes Ten out of ten for effort for those working to restore St Annes to its former glory. 'Picture a perfect beach with glimmering sea, golden sands; take a deep breath and imagine the freshness of salty sea air and listen to the laughter of family and friends,' runs its hand-out. Not the Costa del Sol but a jolly beach stay. North of the border: Picturesque East Sands in St Andrews (left) and a dramatic sunset highlights the exceptional beauty of Talisker Bay on the Isle of Skye (right) 43 Southport, Merseyside Southport manages to combine being a seaside place at the same time as a grownup town. Step away from busy Lord Street and within minutes find yourself wandering among deserted sand dunes next to the sea. The beach is the ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of the town centre. Marvel at the coastal views through the seaside telescopes.

44 Formby, Merseyside On a clear day you can probably spot Blackpool Tower from here, but Formby's no Blackpool. The sweeping sands of Formby beach are big and broad and families can run and play to their hearts' content. Spectacular skyscapes can be glimpsed at sunset and, if you stand on top of a sand dune, the beach stretches as far as the eye can see. A closer look reveals thickets of pine woodland, home to local celebrities, the red squirrels. North East Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Pantrini's, Whitley Bay ( pantrinis.co.uk ). A classic, just yards from the seafront. Best pub Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses ( seahouses.co.uk ). Garden overlooks harbour. Best ice cream Harbour Bar, Scarborough ( theharbourbar.co.uk ). Unchanged since 1945. Best restaurant The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the- Sea ( shipinnnewton.co.uk ). Lobster served straight from Newton Bay.

45 Bamburgh, Northumberland The stretch of Northumbrian coastline north of Newcastle is quietly spectacular – someone described it as 'sombre and strangely exhilarating'. My favourite bit is Bamburgh beach, where the horseshoeshaped stretch of sand is overlooked by the turrets and towers of Bamburgh Castle. The beach stretches three miles from Bamburgh to Seahouses and, from the shoreline, there are views of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands. Don't expect a café selling mozzarella paninis and glasses of merlot, this is simply a great beach offering spectacular views. 46 West Cliff Beach, Whitby, North Yorkshire A sandy and rocky beach backed by cliffs, this is a place to enjoy the traditional charms of the seaside. There is a wealth of traditional amusements, including a summer theatre and a museum close to the majestic ruins of Whitby Abbey on the cliff top. Take children to the beach-side shop selling buckets, spades and ice creams, buy several of each and head to the sand for immediate fun.

Perhaps best not to mention Dracula: Author Bram Stoker stayed here in the 1890s and took vampiric inspiration from Whitby and its abbey. Sands and spectacles: The whale bones on Whitby's West Cliff frame Whitby Abbey and, right, the limestone cliffs behind Whiterocks beach in Portrush, County Antrim 47 South Bay, Scarborough The busiest of Scarborough's beaches offers fine, soft sand and calm water sheltered from the north by the castle headland. The arching bay almost faces south at the harbour, creating a fabulous sun trap. The beach is handily placed for the town centre shops, theatres, amusement arcades, eateries and harbour. The tide rarely reaches the promenade, so more often than not you'll find a part of the beach untouched by the sea, giving you true soft sand, perfect for sunbathing.

Rainbow resort: Scarborough's multi-coloured beach chalets on the North Bay seafront 48 Filey Bay, North Yorkshire Situated between Bridlington and Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast, this was a fishing village that became a busy tourist resort, becoming well known as the home of a Butlin's Holiday Camp (at its peak, the camp was catering for 10,000 people a week – it closed in 1984 and the site has since been redeveloped for housing). The beach is sandy, safe and well cleaned and scenically outstanding. N.Ireland Need a break from the sand? Try the... Best fish and chips Pit-Stop Fast Food 26 Bridge St, Kilkeel, Co Down ( pitstopfastfood.com ). Best pub Harbour Bar, Portrush, County Antrim ( ramorerestaurant.com/harbour-bar.htm ).

Best ice cream Morelli's, The Promenade, Portstewart.morellisofportstewart.co.uk ) Best restaurant 55 North, Causeway Street, Portrush (55-north.com) 49 Portstewart Strand, Co Londonderry People tend not to associate Northern Ireland with great seaside places, but here you will find beaches to equal the best in the whole of the British Isles. Portstewart offers a glorious two-mile stretch of golden sand known locally as The Strand, a much-loved regional treasure. You will enjoy plenty of open space if you are looking to have a family picnic while you spend a day making sandcastles or kicking a football. 50 Whiterocks, Portrush, Co Antrim Not just a great beach – here you will also enjoy the spectacular limestone cliffs of the White Rocks, which stretch from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. These are soft rocks, carved through centuries into a labyrinth of caves and arches. On the main coast road, you will find pull-in areas and a large car park where you can take in the incredible views to the Giant's Causeway. Portstewart Strand Whiterocks, Portrush

Question: Which English coastal resort is known as ‘London-by-the-sea’?
Answer: Brighton