WE AREN’T all lucky enough to be close to the coast, so when it comes to hot weather days, it can be hard to find a spot to enjoy the sun.
Yet across the country there are a number of inland beaches you can head to – so we’ve rounded up the best across the country.
Cotswold Country Park & Beach
The UK’s largest inland beach can be found in the Cotswolds at Cotswold Country Park and Beach, where you can head to the Main Beach for some swimming or dip in the Paddling Lagoon.
The beach is then backed by a grassy area, ideal for picnics.
But don’t worry if you haven’t brought your own food as there is the Beach Shack serving light bites as well as an Ice Cream Hut.
Admission varies depending on the time of year, but during peak season pedestrians and cyclists can access the park from £5 per person and a car of up to five people costs from £18.18 (around £3.64 each).
Read more on travel inspo
Ruislip Lido Beach, London
Ruislip Lido Beach in Hillingdon, West London, is a long stretch of sand with its own palm trees.
Even though you aren’t allowed to swim at the beach, you can sunbathe making it the ideal spot for city dwellers to escape to.
There’s plenty to keep kids occupied though, including a pirate ship play area and a splash pad.
Entry to the beach, splash pad and play area is free.
Loch Morlich, Scotland
Loch Morlich Beach can be found in the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore, in Scotland.
The unique beach sits 300 metres above sea level in Glenmore Forest Park and while sunbathing on the beach you can even see the snow-topped Cairngorm mountains.
When it comes to the water, it is one of the cleanest freshwater beaches in the UK where you can rent paddleboards and kayaks if you fancy.
The beach is free to visit.
Wallingford Beach, Oxfordshire
Found close to Wallingford Bridge, you can head to Wallingford Beach which stretches 35 metres long.
The Thames-side beach is backed by grass too which is ideal for a picnic.
Despite being a river spot, the water tends to have little to no current during the peak season but is also a designated swimming spot, so the water is tested regularly.
The spot is free to visit.
Rutland Water Beach, East Midlands
In the East Midlands, you can head to Rutland Water Beach which stretches 140 metres.
The spot is the first bathing location in England to achieve both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award for its water quality.
While the beach is open all year round, you can only swim in the water in the summer months from May to September, with opening hours varying from 10am to 6pm.
Access to the beach is free.
St Andrews Lakes, Kent
Close to Rochester, St Andrews Lakes has not one but two beaches with sunloungers and pretty blue waters to swim in.
There’s also a Nordic-inspired wellness centre with a hot tub and wood-fired sauna.
You can even stay at the lakes too in overwater lodges that look like ones in the Maldives.
Entry starts from £7.50 per person.
Hemsworth Water Park, West Yorkshire
Hemsworth Water Park in West Yorkshire has not one but two lakes.
Even though you can’t swim in the lakes, the sandy beaches are the ideal place to chill out in the sunshine.
There’s also Playworld by the beach, which is an outdoor adventure playground with a tower slide and climbing frames.
The attraction is free to visit but if you want to go to Playworld, it costs £3 per person.
River Dart Country Park, Devon
Near Dartmoor in Devon, you can head to River Dart Country Park which is home to a beach at the edge of a lake.
In the middle of the lake you will also find a partially sunken pirate ship.
There’s also a desert island with sand and faux palm trees.
Admission costs between £10 and £14.95 per person depending on whether you visit on a weekday or at the weekend.
Church Stretton Reservoir, Shropshire
Located at National Trust‘s Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton Reservoir has a man-made beach ideal for a day in the sun.
While on the beach you can look out to Long Mynd as well.
You can swim in the reservoir as well.
The spot is free to visit and there are a number of nice walks in the area too.
Gaddings Dam, West Yorkshire
Famous for having England’s highest beach, you can head to Gaddings Dam in West Yorkshire.
In addition to the beach, you can swim in the dam which has previously been described by visitors as a “wild swimmer’s paradise”.
It is free to visit, but you’ll need to hike for around 30 minutes to get to the spot.