THE UK is heating up today, with highs of 20C making it hotter than places in Athens and Ibiza.
So if you fancy a last minute trip to the beach, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best which you can get to by train from a UK city in less than 60 minutes.
Weston-super-Mare – 19 minutes from Bristol
One of the closest beaches to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare can often get a bad rap as a seaside town.
But the huge new £20million Weston Placemaking Strategy will regenerate the town as part of a 10-year plan, which includes a new waterpark and reopened pier.
We spoke to a couple who have been going there for 55 years – here’s what they love about it.
Great Yarmouth – 25 minutes from Norwich
Great Yarmouth is also getting a huge revamp, with a £40million upgrade including North Quay and the Victorian Winter Gardens.
A traditional beach, it is even home to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, which was named one of the UK’s best theme parks.
Here are some of Sun Readers top tips on what to do in Great Yarmouth.
Southend-on-Sea – 53 minutes from London
Nicknamed the British Miami, Essex’s Southend-on-Sea is one of the coolest seasides on the list.
You might spot a celeb at the Roslin Beach Hotel which has welcomed everyone from Gary Barlow and Tyson Fury to Denise van Outen and TOWIE stars.
We’ve rounded up some other things to do there, including the free-to-visit theme park.
Exmouth – 20 minutes from Exeter
Devon‘s oldest seaside resort, Exmouth has it all from playgrounds and chippies to cheap Haven holiday parks.
It’s also on the new 2,700 coastal path which is the longest of its kind in the world – if you fancy a bit of a hike.
The Sun’s travel reporter Cyann Fielding explains why she loved visiting the beach as a child.
Cromer – 45 minutes from Norwich
Did you know that Britain has its own Great Barrier Reef – and it is less than an hour by train from Norwich?
Cromer is not only one of the warmest beaches in the UK (outside of summer) but it is also famous for its delicious Cromer crab.
Sun travel reporter Alice Penwill explains why she loves going to Cromer.
Brighton – 58 minutes from London
One of the UK’s most popular beaches, Brighton just squeezes under the one-hour-train mark.
A recent study even found that it has the most pubs per person so you can grab a pint to take to the beach.
Our Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski reveals how to do a weekend in the famous seaside town from the best shops to beautiful hotels.
Hunstanton – 50 minutes from Cambridge
Named one of the best seaside spots in the UK by Time Out, Hunstanton is your traditional seaside resort.
It lays claim to having the best sunset views, being the only spot on the East coast that faces West.
Sun travel reporter Jenna Stevens explains why you should visit other parts of the nearby county too.
North Berwick – 30 minutes from Edinburgh
North Berwick has two main sandy beaches, Milsey Bay and West Beach, so really its two trips in one.
According to the Scottish Tourist Board, it is still a “hidden gem” and “largely unspoilt”.
We’ve rounded up some other things to know about the tiny resort.
Folkestone – 55 minutes from London
The Kent town of Folkestone is getting a lot of hype at the moment – from the new ‘UK’s biggest beach sauna’ to the reopening on the seaside funicular this summer after years of closure.
Less than an hour from London, it was even named one of the best places to live in the UK.
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has revealed everything to look forward to in the town this year.
Crosby Beach – 25 minutes from Liverpool
One of the best places to spot the Northern Lights is, unusually, Crosby Beach near Liverpool.
It’s other claim to fame is being home to an Antony Gormley “Another Place” art installation, of which there are 100 cast-iron figures across the coastline.
Here are some other things to do in the nearby area.
Barry Island – 33 minutes from Cardiff
If you’re a Gavin and Stacy fan, you’ll know Barry Island and its just half an hour by train from the nearest city of Cardiff.
It has everything from Barry Island Pleasure Park, as well as a huge stretch of beach with all you need from chippies to arcades.
We spoke to the locals who gave us their top tips on what to visit in Barry Island.