Best Beaches in the UK for Family Day Trips

If you’re planning a staycation this summer then a trip to the British seaside is likely to be on your plans for the school holidays but with all the beaches in the UK to choose from, which are the best to visit?

We’re lucky here in the UK to never be too far from a stunning seaside location and today we’re going to be sharing with you our top British beaches that are ideal for family day trips when the sun is shining!

Blackpool Sands, Devon

One of the top 15 UK beaches recommended for families on the Made for Mums, Blackpool Sands in Devon is on the south Devon heritage cost and is in an ‘area of natural beauty’.

A perfect location for both exploring and relaxing, Blackpool Sands is a shingle beach with sandpits, kayaks and of course, stunning open waters. Blackpool Sands has been modernised with families in mind to ensure that both the natural beauty has been kept intact and that people of all ages can enjoy their time there.

Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland

A stunning and simplistic location on the Northumberland coast, Bamburgh beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand and clear waters with the historic Bamburgh Castle as a backdrop.

A perfect destination if you want to cross culture with chilling out, Bamburgh beach is the ultimate location for exploring a historical landmark and relaxing under the sun.

Seacliff, East Lothian

Heading back closer to home, Seacliff beach in East Lothian is the ideal option if you want to spend a day in Edinburgh but you don’t want to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Seacliff is a secluded stretch of seaside in East Lothian that is ideal for building sandcastles, catching some sun or getting some exercise with some beach sport.

Charmouth Beach, Dorset

If you fancy travelling to the Dorset coast for your seaside escape, Charmouth beach is an ideal choice to please all ages. A nominee in the BBC Countryfile Magazine ‘UK’s Five Best Beaches 2017’, Charmouth is located on the Jurassic Coast and is popular with families due to its array of things to do.

Aside from the usual sandcastles and splashing in the sea, Charmouth beach is the ideal location for fossil hunting due to its historic location, so if you want a day out to the beach that has the potential for some serious exploring, this is the best destination for you.

Formby Beach, Lancashire

A UK favourite with families, Formby Beach is located on Formby Coast in Lancashire and is a truly stunning landscape of sand and sea that is ideal for exploring.

Home to one of Britain’s last red squirrel reserves, there are plenty of natural wonders to experience during a visit to Formby beach, making this a fun and educational trip for all ages.

Luskentyre, Outer Hebrides

A truly breath-taking hidden gem on the north-west coast of the Isle of Harris, this long, thin stretch of golden sand is joined by shallow but sparkling waters to create a picturesque hideaway, ideal for family escapes.

Ideal for just relaxing and enjoying the sweet sound of the water lapping up on to the shore, Luskentyre is also perfect for exploring and discovering unfound treasures.

Woolacombe Beach, Devon

Number one in the Mirror’s round up of the best British beaches, Woolacombe Beach is a multi-award winning resort in the south of England that attracts thousands of visitors year after year.

A perfect combination of soft sand, stunning waters and plenty of twists and turns to explore, it’s no surprise that Woolacombe Beach won the Trip Advisor Best Beach in Britain award for 2016.

Rhossili Bay, Swansea

Three miles of golden sand and dazzling waters as far as the eye can see, Rhossili Bay in Swansea is home to a particularly spectacular display of shipwreck ruins, visible at low tide.

If you want to combine exploring history with relaxing on a peaceful stretch of Welsh coastline, this is the ideal destination for you.

Porthminster Beach, Cornwall

Down towards the south coast of England, a popular holiday destination for Brits wanting to stay in the UK over summer, Porthminster Beach sees thousands of visitors throughout this season.

A crescent-shaped beach filled with soft sand and met by miles of sparkling sea, Porthminster Beach is the ultimate destination for relaxing, paddling and enjoying the views of the lighthouse.

Sandwood Bay, North Highlands

We have to agree with Skyscanner when they say that Sandwood Bay in the North Highlands is one of the best beaches Scotland has to offer. Not your traditional flat sand and sea location, it’s the breath-taking terrain that gives Sandwood the edge.

The definition of a hidden gem, this elusive beach shies away from the public eye and is so nestled away that even some of the locals don’t know it is right on their doorstep. Sand, sea and plenty to explore, if you’re prepared for a fair hike to reach it, it's well worth the journey.

If you were planning on heading to the seaside with the family at some point during the summer break, we’re sure one of these top beaches in Britain will be ideal for what you’re looking for.

From beaches ideal for relaxing to seaside designed for exploring, we’ve covered every kind of beach adventure but which is your favourite UK beach?