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The best beach scenes in the UK

By Max Power

Are you a foodie? Surfer? Flowing-haired romantic? Find the right UK beach to suit your vibe.

Twenty years ago, prophets of doom gleefully forecast the end of that great British institution, the UK seaside resort, lovingly bequeathed to us by Victorian Britain. Fish and chips on the pier, donkey rides on the beach and castles in the sand looked set to be consigned to the dustbin of history as cheap air travel opened up Florida's theme parks and Europe's coastlines, with their limitless sunshine. But just as radio survived the advent of TV, the UK seaside has survived and flourished, with the most foresighted resorts carving themselves niche identities. It's all about image and here's our guide to the places making the waves these days.

Newquay
Image: UK's self-styled surf capital
Where is it?: Cornwall
What to do: learn to surf, eat a Cornish pasty and snog a surfer
What to wear: tidy swimsuit and an unflattering wetsuit
What to say: 'Surfing makes your body so toned...'
Find out more: www.newquay.co.uk

Padstow
Image: Rick Stein-inspired foodie haven
Where is it?: Cornwall
What to do: eat at The Seafood Restaurant, Petrocs Bistro or Middle Street café or improve your seafood skills at the Padstow Seafood School
What to wear: nothing white, things could get very messy at the dinner table
What to say: 'Please sir, can I have some more?'
Find out more: www.padstow-cornwall.co.uk

Aldeburgh
Image: pebble-dashed romantic, literary and genteel time capsule
Where is it?: Suffolk
What to do: bring your lover, skim stones into the sea, take long walks along the pebble beach, hire bikes and cycle to Walberswick
What to wear: walking shoes, suspenders and horn-rimmed spectacles
What to say: 'Didn't Iris Murdoch used to holiday here?'
Find out more: www.aldeburgh-uk.com

Brighton
Image: Gay Mecca and clubland-on-sea
Where is it?: Sussex
What to do: pose in the cafés, stroll along the seafront and dance on the beach
What to wear: very little by day, even less by night
What to say: 'It's like London with a sea view.'
Find out more: www.visitbrighton.com

Blackpool
Image: the new Las Vegas
Where is it?: Lancashire
What to do: gawp at the illuminations, take a white knuckle ride at the Pleasure Beach and cash in your chips at the casinos
What to wear: sports bra by day, cocktail dress by night
What to say: 'By eck, luv, these chips are reet tasty.'
Find out more: www.blackpooltourism.com

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