THERE’S nothing worse than taking the kids out for a beach day, only to find miles of shingle, huge scary waves and not a loo in sight.
Whilst the UK is home to some stunning beaches, not all of them are the most family-appropriate.
Some beaches with the most beautiful views take an hour to walk there from the car park – not the most ideal when visiting with children.
However, some beaches across the UK are almost made for kids.
Flat golden sands with rolling dunes to play in, beachside cafes, lifeguard-watched waters, and lit-up promenades with loads to do.
We’ve collected five of the best beaches in the UK to bring the kids to, making your day out at the seaside as smooth as possible.
Caswell Bay, Wales
Wales is home to 21 Blue Flag beaches – an international award that signposts the very best in aspects like water quality and safety.
The country has some pretty stunning choices to pick from, including Skrinkle Haven and Borth Beach.
But when it comes to the top choice for families – Caswell Bay takes the cake.
The beach is located on the south Gower Coast, known for its dramatic cliffs and luscious greenery.
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But it’s not just a beautiful corner of the world, it’s a fantastic spot to take the kids due to its soft flat sands and easy access to food, drinks and loos.
The nearby Surfside Cafe and Beach Shack serve everything from whippy soft ice creams to homemade cakes and coffee.
Steph Powell, a parent blogger from south Wales, says: “Caswell Bay is our favourite beach because of its gorgeous open, flat sands“.
“There’s lots of space for playing games in the sand and the sea is just gorgeous”.
“There are vendors at the beach entrance to grab food, drinks and beach accessories – or bring a picnic.”
Paignton Sands, Devon
Paignton Sands is colourful, clean and exactly what a family beach should be.
Sun reader Richard Tilley, 62 from Wiltshire says Paignton Sands is perfect for families because “There’s nice soft sand for building sandcastles and the sea doesn’t go deep straight away, which is good for kids”.
There’s also loads of fun activities on offer too, like Pirates Bay Adventure Golf.
“You can hire pedalos and you’re also close to family-friendly pubs on the seafront, plus arcades and a pirate-themed pitch and putt”.
Kids can sprint straight from building sandcastles to the pier for ice creams and arcade games, while parents get a front-row seat to the English Riviera’s sunshine.
Throw in plenty of cafés, clean loos, and the steam trains chugging past in the distance, and you’ve got a beach that keeps everyone happy.
Skegness, Lincolnshire
Skegness in Lincolnshire sometimes gets a bad rep, and has even been branded a “pile of dirt“.
But with roughly 4 million visiting the seaside town each year, there is a reason why families return again and again.
Skegness is home to a sweeping golden sand beach which is buzzing with things to do – from traditional donkey rides to a popular fairground.
If you bring the family here for a day out, you can be absolutely sure they won’t get bored.
Skegness Pier is lined with traditional amusements, bowling, VR experiences, Laser Quests and escape rooms to keep kids of all ages entertained.
And for the adults, there’s a Pier Beach Bar which comes alive with live music in the summer (and delicious 2-for-1 cocktails).
The pier even has an American-style diner that will feed even the fussiest of children.
Plus, nearby Fantasy Island is full of thrilling rollercoasters and rides for the adrenaline junkies among the family.
And if you’re looking for a hilariously fun weekend away, Butlin’s Skegness Resort and Holiday Park is never short of entertainment.
Camber Sands, Sussex
Camber Sands is one of Sussex’s most iconic stretches of coastline, and for families, it’s a total win.
Unlike many shingle-heavy Sussex beaches, Camber Sands is blessed with flat, spacious and golden sand.
This means it’s the perfect spot for little ones to run wild and free to their heart’s content – and scramble up the iconic sand dunes.
The beach is also super safe and clean to visit.
Camber Sands announced it was becoming smoke-free earlier this year, so your kids won’t find gross cigarette butts when digging around in the sand.
And when it comes to swimming, there’s RNLI lifeguards on duty during peak seasons.
“To me, the beach at Camber Sands is the best in England. It has nice sand and wonderful dunes” says Sun reader Nora Hinds from Hounslow.
“When the kids were little they used to slide up and down, or we’d go for little rambles in the dunes.”
Nearby, there’s a Welcome Centre with toilet and shower facilities, and there’s even free parking if you park at Broomhill Sands.
Silversands in Lossiemouth, Scotland
Silver Sands in Lossiemouth is one of Scotland’s most family-friendly beaches.
It boasts a long, bright sweep of white sand that can make it feel like you’ve gone abroad on holiday.
Families love its shallow waters, ideal for paddling with little ones.
Plus with its three miles of sand, there’s plenty of room for playing beach games without stepping on anyone’s toes.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins gliding past in the Moray Firth inlet of the North Sea.
The nearby Silver Sands Campsite and café make it easy to grab snacks, ice creams and warm drinks.
“The beach in front of the holiday park is incredible. It’s enormous and absolutely stunning” says Sun reader Linzi Harrower from Sterlingshire, who stayed at Park Holidays UK Silver Sands.
“My kids (aged nine and 12) were entertained all day with building sandcastles and picnics”.
“A highlight from our holiday was toasting marshmallows on the beach with a disposable barbecue.”
Between the dramatic scenery, wildlife, and family-friendly facilities, Silver Sands is a great choice for a proper seaside day out in the Highlands.