Hi Everyone!…read more Sidmouth beach well were to I start? the beach is pebbled though when the tide goes out there's lots of sand! For Tide Times: http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/sidmouthherald/flatfiles/tides/tides.aspx There are no longer lifegaurds on the beach, but the sea never has large waves in the summer, so not for surfers I'm afraid. The lifeboat is always there ready for any emergencies. There are some great rock pools when the tide goes out, head towards Jacobs Ladder. the beach doesn't have an EU Blue Flag (2009) because of the Napile which meant that this year some oil spills were found on the beach. this is no longer a problem, I see the beach every weekend and I haven't found a oil spill so don't worry. Top tips 1 - don't swim between the two rocky sea defences in the sea, people get in to trouble (however good you are at swimming) 2- good at low tide and take a bet for rock pooling, you'll be amazed what you can find! 3 - generally head away from the town for more sand! 4 - take some sun tan lotion, a BBQ and some drinks for the ultimate day at the beach

A rocky affair on the south coast in sleepy Sidmouth. It's famous for the boxing day swim - an…read moreannual event held to raise money for the RNLI. Every year, hundreds of people dressed in various costumes dive into the freezing waters of the English channel, and paddle around a bit. It's quite hilarious to watch. I won't be participating myself however, since I can't swim...

If you're ever in Dorset especially the coast this is a definite must. Gorgeous coastal walks (25…read moreminutes, and hour, or longer). Great pubs along the coastal paths and nearly everywhere is dog friendly. Dogs are welcomed on the beach, too.

Ringstead beach is perhaps one of the lesser known places to go fossil hunting…read more You reach it by driving throught the village of Ringstead over a couple of very steep hills. The road turns into a private road and ends at a car park with a kiosk (see C J kiosk Ringstead). As this is private land, you pay a reasonable fee for all-day parking here. It is a shingle beach that starts off shallow with an increasing slope up to the 'cliff' which is formed of rock strata. The place you find fossils is in fact in a strip of clay about 6 foot high accessible from the beach. The beach runs for a good mile down the coast, which being Dorset is very beautiful when the sun is out. It isn't the best place to find fossils easily, but it is a good place to have a quiet time, say paddling in the sea or (British weather permitting), sunbathing.

Spectacular beach in built up Bournemouth. Amazingly, it's empty in November. But it still has soft…read moresand, easy access, lots of facilities, even some surf, so where is everyone? Oh yes, it's blowing a gail and been tipping with rain, maybe that's it. Still, highly recommended for all.

Soft golden sand, lifeguarded, blue flag beach. Overlooks Isle of Wight and Old Harry Rocks on the…read morePurbecks. Ideal for kids, but also popular with surfers, fishermen, canoists, beach volleyballers, sunbathers, you name it. The Pier has a shop selling buckets and spades, inflatables, newspapers etc, and also a cafe with outside tables. There's a pub (The Neptune), and the new and abfab Urban Reef bar and restaurant (with deli for beach picnics). Two lots of public loo nearby, plus hot and cold showers. Deck chairs, windbreaks, parasols and loungers can be hired - as can a wheelchair suitable for use on the sand. Also beach huts are available to rent by the day or week from the Seafront Office.

Whitmore Bay is what most people think of when they talk about Barry Island, and has all the…read moreameneties you'd expect for a suburban resort: amusement arcades and fish'n'chips abound. Just behind is a small fairground, which I recall visiting when I was a small child - I used then to think it was quite impressive! The bay has also now been made famous by featuring extensively in the TV series 'Gavin and Stacey'. Up until the 1960s, however, it used to be packed during Bank Holidays with people coming on day trips from the mining communities in the valleys: newsreel footage shows every inch of sand covered with families! It's rather quieter than that, now, but still popular for day trips.

The larger of the two beaches on the island, this is very popular with holiday makers and local…read morewalkers. It's a surprisingly huge beach with soft golden sand and long headlands on either side. Ideal for families throughout the season for swimming and sunbathing. There is usually a coastguard presence. There are horse and carriage rides along the beach in summer, and many tourist and beach shops, cafes and fast food outlets around the promenade. The famous Pleasure Park lies behind the beach. The island railway station is fairly close (by foot) and you can journey to Cardiff from here.

Quaint little cove with a pebble beach, excellent ice-cream shop and I recommend the tiramisu…read moreflavour :o) It's real picture postcard stuff!

Gloriously beautiful sprawling beach, award winning clean white sands set in one of the most…read morepicturesque vistas you can find. The steam trains pass by this beach and it's wonderful to lay on the beach and here the train chugging along and tooting and people waving at you. It's in a sheltered bay so that helps cut out wind, there's plenty to see like surfers, kayakers and alike a great beach.

Blackpool is an old romantic place, the hotels are right by the beach, you can just imagine your…read moreself with a lovely person and a glass of wine, the red rays of the sunsetting across the horizon. you can even enjoy the the sunset at the sandy beach.A beach for lovers who want to save money.there is even a casino and swimming pool to enjoy and not forgetting the rides,.i go every year.

A fabulous beach with some places of interest around if you get bored or burnt…read more The drawback is that it costs £8 to park here!!!! But if that doesn't put you off, then enjoy the lovely pale sands and the water which can feel warm! There's a shop and toilets (can't vouch for the state they'll be in) and a terrific view of Old Harry Rocks.

A lovely area to visit during the summer or the colder months. On one side you have lovely beaches…read more(naturist beach situated near the middle of the stretch between the ferry and Studland)and on the side which faces the inner harbour there are some fantastic walks to be had. This side tends to be quite quiet so you can find plenty of peace. Also a good spot for fishing with Flounder, Bass and Plaice in the area.

As a Cardiffian I feel lucky to live only a stones throw away from so many stunning beaches…read more With the second largest tidal difference in the world, you have to get your timing right. Visit the beach at the wrong time and there will hardly be any beach, get your timing wrong and you may get cut off and have to bide your time till the tide goes out again. Get it right and you will see the splendid Jurassic coastline, fossils and if you're lucky may even find the dinosaur footprints or see the sand spit. If you fancy a coastal walk on the cliffs above you'll find some WW2 gunning posts and you can drop back down to the beach at various points. The beach itself is mostly stone slab, with pebbles and a little sand. Great for driftwood, beach combing and fossil hunting, dog walking and bbq's. Sadly if the Severn Barrage ever gets built this brilliant beach will disappear.

This is a pleasant beach near Cardiff made up of a combination of rock and sand, backed by layered…read moreJurassic cliffs and looking out over the Bristol Channel. To find it, head from Barry towards Lavernock and then follow the signs for the beach. Lots of people park their cars at the Captain's Wife pub car park to visit this beach - but it's only fair that you then stop in for a drink or a bite to eat to justify using their car park! If the tide's in, it's a really tiny strip of a beach - but when the tide's out there's more space to stroll and look for fossils (but make sure you don't get cut off if the tide's on its way back in!). Some people have sailed to Sully Island from here, but the Channel can get really rough with strong currents and some have had to be rescued. Not a crossing for a beginner.