North England
Blackpool - Britain's favourite seaside resort
Scarborough - our oldest seaside resort
Beadnell - a majestic setting
Also, check out beaches in other parts of England
The North is the place to find fun-filled resorts that have entertainment 24/7. In the big seaside towns, there are arcades packed with attractions, evening entertainment, promenades with ice cream and candy floss sellers, trams and traditional piers, all of which add up to a very English day at the seaside. Plenty to do if it's raining too. The prices quoted here are for summer 2008 and are for the high season.
The beach at Blackpool is popular, but it doesn't match the pristine quality you can find at other English seaside resorts. It does not have a Blue Flag rating because the water quality is below the required standard. (The Blue Flag is a symbol of high environmental standards as well as good sanitary and safety facilities and is awarded to beaches and marinas across Europe and South Africa.) Facilities, including beachside loos, were also not up to standard either when we visited. But Blackpool is home to Britain's top tourist attraction, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which has its own train station and 7 million visitors a year. At the theme park you can pay per ride or buy an all-day ticket for £25 (bookable in advance). The Pleasure Beach is a mixture of extreme excitement and fun and if you like things like Europe's fastest and highest roller coaster, and it is hard to beat for a good value day out. A ticket to the iconic Blackpool Tower includes a ride to the top, lots of amusement arcades, a ball park and an acrobatic circus show, all for £56 for a family of four (£48 if booked in advance). Tickets purchased at the Tower - rather than the information centre opposite - are more expensive.
Don't miss: Donkey rides. These are a bit pointless, but you just have to do them. Cost £1.50 for a short ride
Further information: www.blackpooltourism.com
This slightly faded seaside resort has everything you would expect of a Spa town: grand architecture, a park with a boating lake, and lots of outdoor walks along the promenade. The quieter North Bay beach has a Blue Flag award and is best for swimming. The Sea Life Centre is two-minute walk and beyond is the popular Peasholm Park and boating lake. South Bay is busier, with a harbour that's great for watching the boats come in and out, but it's suitable for swimming.
Don't miss: A visit to Scarborough Castle which sits majestically between North and South Bay and dominates the views. English Heritage has events through the summer.
Further information: www.visitbritain.com
The Northumbrian coast is renown for its desolate, windswept beaches where you can walk for miles without spotting another person. Beadnell Bay has two miles of wide open beach backed by sand dunes and big Scandinavian skies that stay light well after the sun has set in areas further south. The sheltered bay is safe for swimming and can be accessed directly from the car park. Prepare for picturesque sunsets as well; the harbour at Beadnell faces west, despite being on the east coast, so the sun sets over the sea.
Further information: www.visitnorthumberland.com