Heading for the coast?

SHORE-FIRE

That blast of warm spring weather which coaxed us outside to bring welcome relief during the dark days of the COVID-19 lockdown merely whetted the appetite for the real thing – long sunny days, even longer beach The crowds are more likely to go to its more famous neighbour Whitby, but you don’t have to follow the herd. Sandsend is set against a backdrop of grassy hills and is much quieter – and prettier – than Whitby. It’s also a great place for fossil hunting at low tide when the children tire of playing in the little becks that flow across the sand. walks with a cooling breeze just taking the edge off the simmering heat.

Although your favourite hotspot on the continent may currently be out of bounds, don’t forget we are an island You will find this sheltered and peaceful crescent of fine shingle three miles southwest of Dartmouth backed by wooded hills. It can be popular with families, but it is a great spot for swimming because the turquoise waters are so clean and usually calm. You can also hire kayaks and paddle boards. and some of the highest-rated beaches in Europe are almost on your doorstep.

So, with the softening of the Government’s health warnings, now’s the time to start planning where to feel RHOSSILI BEACH, WALES Never disappoints, whatever the weather. Voted Wales’ best beach, this spot on the south-west tip of the Gower Peninsula bears the brunt of some Atlantic swells so it is perfect for surfers and paragliders. But although access is tricky, there are more than three miles of golden sands at the end of it. the sand between your toes, relish the breeze soothing sunburnt skin and, with luck, you won’t have to put up with that unique tang of sea air and fish ‘n’ chips.

SANDSEND, YORKSHIRE BLACKPOOL SANDS, SOUTH DEVON In no particular order, then …

FORMBY, LANCASHIRE Formby’s sand dunes are the stuff of legend and are even classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. From their peaks you can see the Cumbrian Mountains and, on a really clear day, Blackpool Tower. Again, you get to the beach through a pine wood where there is a reserve for red squirrels, but once you get to the beach, you won’t have to walk far to to get to wide, open, flat sands.

WINNERS

As the pandemic restrictions start to ease, now’s the time to hit The Great Outdoors to shake off that lockdown lethargy.

HOLKHAM, NORTH NORFOLK Big skies, even bigger beach and you’re unlikely to have any issues with social distancing. Holkham’s shore is fringed by pine forest but, once through that, it’s just you, the North Sea, and a vast expanse of golden sand. Holkham is also where the Household Cavalry come for summer camp in July, to give the horses respite from ceremonial duties and to let them have a good blow-out cantering through the surfline. And it’s a handy spot to explore neighbouring Wells-next-the-Sea (first-class crabbing over the sea wall), spotting grey seals and birdlife at Blakeney, or hitting familyfriendly Hunstanton, the only east coast resort to face west. PORTHCURNO, NEAR LAND’S END If the sun is beating down and you squint, maybe, just maybe, you can kid yourself you are in one of those picturesque coves beloved by designers of Greek holiday brochures. However, this is, in its own way, the most beautiful bay in the region: a funnel of fine, white sand sitting between granite cliffs. Easily accessible, it is popular with families and the beach really opens up when the tide is going out. Then you can walk to other sandy spots in the area and sit on sandbars beneath the ancient cliff fort of Treryn Dinas.

BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET Yes, Bournemouth, voted Britain’s best beach two years on the trot in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. However, there are 11 miles of golden, pristine sand stretching from Hengistbury Head to Sandbanks so you should be able to avoid crowds. And even if the weather turns there is plenty to do including the secluded Fisherman’s Walk and the Oceanarium – providing all the pandemic restrictions have been lifted. WEST WITTERING, SUSSEX The road to this Sussex beach isn’t the best – and it does get busy - but the journey is worthwhile: at the end you are greeted with a fine, open stretch of sand which is clean and leaves lots of lovely little pools when the tide goes out. It overlooks the Solent and Chichester harbour, but for peace and quiet head to the western end where you can walk a narrow ridge to East Head which is a remote, sand spit at the mouth of a harbour.