If enjoying a tipple in a sunny beer garden is top of the list for your seaside trip, there’s one English beach resort that wouldn’t have been your cup of tea before this century.
I visited Frinton-on-Sea, a quaint little town on the Essex Sunshine Coast where boozers were banned until 2000.
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I did a pub crawl round the UK resort town Frinton-on-SeaCredit: Catherine LofthouseThe seaside town has beach huts and is one of the warmest beaches in the countryCredit: Alamy
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Nowadays you can prop up the bar at the town’s first pub, the Lock and Barrel, or enjoy a drink in the sun outside.
There are a couple of small courtyard areas with picnic tables out back, plus tables in front of the pub’s huge double-fronted picture windows overlooking the high street.
It’s all a far cry from the Frinton of years gone by, when industrialist Richard Powell Cooper developed the golf course and land around it in the 1890s, stipulating that no drinking holes would be welcome.
So heading back 30 years after the sea change, I was interested to see if lifting the ban on takeaways and pubs has made much difference to the sleepy seaside chic I remember from my youth.
Now pubs are permitted, Frinton’s main claim to fame is being named by Which? as the warmest and driest coastal town in its most recent survey of best UK seaside spots, as well as scoring five stars from visitors for peace and quiet.
It got just one star for tourist attractions, as it’s not got a pier, arcades or any of the other seaside staples you might expect.
It’s the polar opposite of the party vibe of its coastal cousin Clacton, just five miles down the seafront.
With a family-friendly sandy beach overlooked by the wide lawns and heritage sea shelters of the greensward, there’s something a little bit special about this secluded seaside spot, and the introduction of a pub hasn’t done anything to change that.
It’s still got a village vibe, with only one road in and out over the railway line.
Its high street Connaught Avenue remains packed full of independent shops – a glimpse out of the pub window revealed a toy shop, butcher, bookshop and fishmonger.
Although, Frinton hasn’t avoided the inevitable Turkish barber, charity shop and nail salon that seem to have sprung up in every town centre.
Even a chain like Poundstretcher has toned down its brightly coloured exterior and signage to fit in with the conservation area.
No pubs were allowed in the town until the year 2000 – Lock and Barrel was the first to openCredit: Alamy
Here are more of our favourite UK seaside towns…
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Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
The Essex Skipper on the outskirts of the town has beach hut seatingCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
We popped in for a pint at the Lock and Barrel, paying £30 for a round of two beers, a glass of wine and three soft drinks.
I liked the pub name’s nod to the previous ironmonger incarnation of the building, with Blowers and Cooper storefront lettering preserved on the ceiling above the bar to remember the shop based here for 75 years.
And the lovely green tiled pillar at the entrance preserves part of the pub’s predecessor for posterity.
It all seems very much in keeping with the genteel feel that attracted the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince of Wales here in the first half of the 20th century.
And while Frinton is never going to be prime pub crawl territory, strolling a mile inland while window shopping along Connaught Avenue brings you to the Essex Skipper on an estate towards the outskirts of the town.
We loved the beach hut seating areas in the beer garden and the big word cloud backdrop that commemorates many of the special places, food and experiences that make this stretch of the Essex coast unique.
This pub has a fresh, modern feel, quite a contrast to the olde world charm of its high street counterpart.
With August average highs of 21C, sea temperatures of around 18C and rainfall just 45mm, Frinton combines the best of British summertime with a town that’s stayed true to its traditions.
And it’s easily accessible, with trains from London Liverpool Street taking just 90 minutes.
If you do like to be beside the seaside and all you need for your bucket-and-spade break is a beach and a bit of sunshine, Frinton could become a firm family favourite for you.
IF you’re looking for some of the most beautiful beachfront holiday homes, head to Camber Sands.
Two that sit right on the famous beach have been named as being some of the most ‘idyllic’ in the country from cosy cottages to A-shaped beach houses.
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Camber Sands is one of the warmest beaches in the UKCredit: AlamyIt has two of the best beach holiday homes too – like ‘Coastguards Beach House’Credit: Unknown
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Camber Sands sits on the south-east corner of England and its location makes it one of the warmest beaches in the country.
The spot also heats up quickly thanks to its sand dunes that absorb heat from the sun – and the spot is sheltered by the dunes too.
In spring, it can have highs of 19C, which is roughly 1C warmer than other popular UK spots like Dungeness and Studland Bay.
Camber Sands has an average of 195.19 hours of sunshine logged per month too.
The beach is often called the Hamptons of the UK, and it’s a favourite of Caroline McGuire’s (Head of Sun Digital).
She said: “Sussex lays claim to Camber Sands, but according to Wikipedia a small fraction of this seven-mile-long beach reaches over the Kent border.
“Which helpfully means we can use it as part of this round-up, as it is easily the best beach in the area.
“Backed by large sand dunes, Camber is so large that you can always find a spot – even on the hottest of summer days – if you are willing to walk.
“After an afternoon lazing in the sun, drive 10 minutes down the road to the medieval town ofRyefor a pub dinner.“
There are some beautiful places to stay in Camber Sands – and two made it onto Country Living’s list of ’14 idyllic Airbnb beach houses in the UK’.
The first house is called ‘Coastguards Beach House‘ which is right at the edge of the beach perched high up on the shoreline.
Guests can rent out the entirety of the 1875 cottage which has a cosy log burner inside the comfortable lounge.
In the kitchen is a long table for hearty breakfasts and family dinners.
The cottage can sleep up to five guests and it has direct beach access with steps down to the sands.
Lots of guests described it as ‘cosy’, ‘remote’ and ‘peaceful’ thanks to its location away from the main beach hustle and bustle.
You can book a five-night stay in May for five guests from £771 – or £30.84pppn.
‘Barefoot’ is another beautiful beach house right on the dunesCredit: Unknown
For more spots by the beach, check out these seaside towns…
Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
From rugged coastlines to sandy shores with turquoise waters, the UK is home to many stunning beaches
This charming town has the warmest ocean temperatures(Image: russellbinns via Getty Images)
Discovering a beach in the UK where the water isn’t freezing cold is a genuine bonus, particularly given the abundance of breathtaking beaches on offer. From dramatic coastlines to sandy stretches boasting turquoise waters, these stunning locations are typically synonymous with icy seas, especially during winter when UK sea temperatures hover around 10C on average.
Research has identified the warmest coastal waters throughout the country, helping Brits plan their next seaside escape for the sunnier months to come. The study, carried out by SIXT, measured sea temperatures around the UK, with a Cornish “hidden gem” claiming the number one position.
Portloe, tucked away on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, holds the crown for the UK’s warmest sea, with an average annual temperature of 15.9C, providing a far more pleasant experience for those fancying a paddle, reports Cornwall Live.
Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Cornwall, the picturesque fishing village overlooks dazzling turquoise waters and is surrounded by verdant rolling hills.
The village’s beach features a small sandy shoreline at low tide, ideal for a gentler swim.
With a pleasant average maximum sea temperature of 15.2C, Rye in East Sussex secures second place on the list.
This delightful town attracts numerous visitors each year with its charming cobblestone streets and Georgian architecture.
TripAdvisor reviewer Ruth M described Rye’s beach, known as Camber Sands, as: “In my view, possibly the best beach in the UK.”
The breathtaking sand dunes of Camber Sands have frequently served as a filming location for major blockbusters, including the 2014 hit The Theory of Everything, which charts the life of physicist Stephen Hawking.
Taking third spot is another East Sussex treasure – Hastings. The coastal town has steadily climbed the rankings of late, attracting visitors with its impressive selection of new hotels and restaurants.
Boasting a mix of pebbles and golden sand, the beach offers sweeping views across the English Channel, where sea temperatures can reach as high as 15.1C.
Brisk south-easterly winds developing on Tuesday and Wednesday will drag in much warmer air from the European continent.
Temperatures will be around 6 to 10C above average for early April.
On Tuesday temperatures will rise to the high teens and low twenties in most parts.
Across the south Midlands and the west coast of Wales it is likely to reach 22C, making it the warmest day of the year so far.
The previous highest temperature this year was 20.9C, recorded on 31 March at Pershore, Worcestershire.
Tuesday will be a mostly sunny day, especially across England and Wales but cloud will build in Northern Ireland and western Scotland with a few showers.
By Wednesday temperatures will rise even further to 23C, perhaps even 24C in south-east England.
With sunshine continuing, temperatures across England and Wales will still be into the low twenties, so it will feel more like a typical summer’s day for most of us.
However, conditions will turn a little cooler in western Scotland, Northern Ireland and Irish Sea coasts with more cloud and rain moving in later in the afternoon.
This time of year – close to the spring equinox – day length increases and the Sun moves higher in the sky. You might notice the Sun feeling stronger. With largely clear skies forecast, UV levels will rise to medium across England, Wales and eastern Scotland on Wednesday. Cloudier conditions will keep UV levels low elsewhere.
It is easy to get caught out in the spring months because, although temperatures aren’t as high as later in the summer, ultraviolet (UV) levels in late March are actually just as strong as they are in September.
Whilst exposure to small amounts of UV radiation is essential to produce vitamin D, the World Health Organization warns “overexposure may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye and immune system”.
Advice from the NHS, external is to “strike a balance between protecting yourself from the Sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight”. This includes spending time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and covering up with suitable clothing and sunglasses.
Keep an eye on the UV forecast on the BBC Weather app or website.
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This is the best beach for spring(Image: Patricia Hamilton via Getty Images)
As temperatures begin to climb, thoughts naturally turn towards seaside escapes. There’s nothing quite like the sound of crashing waves and the sensation of sand between your toes – but with countless stunning locations dotted around the UK, how do you decide where to visit?
For an ideal spring beach getaway, you’ll want maximum sunshine, pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall – and that’s precisely where the specialists at Go Outdoors come in. They’ve put together a ranking of Britain’s finest beaches based on average spring temperatures, precipitation levels, hours of sunshine and Googlereviews to identify the absolute cream of the crop.
Every beach featured received a rating out of 10 according to its weather conditions, rainfall and visitor feedback.
Taking the top spot is Cuckmere Haven with an impressive score of 9.60. This breathtaking beach sits in East Sussex and boasts a remarkable 7.8 hours of daily spring sunshine alongside just 52mm of monthly rainfall.
Those visiting the beach can first take in spectacular views of the Seven Sisters — England’s famous white cliffs overlooking the channel — before embarking on a picturesque stroll along the Cuckmere River as it winds its way towards the coast. Hear the cries of seagulls circling above, and feel the fresh sea breeze against your skin, reports the Express.
Claiming second position is Southwold Beach with a rating of 8.68 out of 10. This expanse of sand extends from the River Blyth’s mouth, passing Southwold Pier which offers plenty to discover.
There are arcade games and numerous cafés and restaurants where you can pop in for refreshments or a bite to eat. Securing the third spot, and boasting the highest Google review rating amongst all the beaches, is Druridge Bay Beach.
Google reviews rate this beach at a stellar 4.9 out of five, and the Go Outdoors research awarded it an impressive overall score of 8.53 out of 10.
The beach itself extends for seven miles, and the adjacent woodlands are teeming with wildlife such as roe deer and red squirrels.
