England’s Best Beach Towns to Head to This Summer
Believe it or not, England does get sunny, warm weather – sometimes. It’s time to pack away that flimsy garden pool and head in search of sand and sea at the country’s best beach towns!
Ilfracombe, North Devon
Famed for its award-winning beaches and iconic location, Ilfracombe is proudly one of England’s finest beach towns. As soon as the sun breaks through those pesky clouds, visitors from far and wide flock here in search of beautiful beaches, secluded coves, rock pools and crashing waves perfect for surfing. It’s difficult to choose a standout part of this stunning retreat, but perhaps Ilfracombe’s centrepiece is its Tunnels Beaches, a collection of hand-carved tunnels that lead to sheltered beaches and a well-kept, Victorian-era bathing pool.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripLooking for an expert's perspective?
Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Deal, Kent
Regularly referred to as Britain’s ‘most beautiful seaside town’, Deal lies just eight miles (12.8 kilometres) north-east of Dover and offers so much more than just a coastline. This well-loved, old-fashioned coastal town is home to stretches of shingle, captivating castles, craggy cottages and a prominent pier. As Deal is truly a fisherman’s town, expect some of the freshest fish you’re likely to get on the south-east coast. On a clear day, you can even see France!
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Newquay, Cornwall
Well, what can we say about Newquay? Thrillseekers, foodies and festival-goers love it here; this part of Cornwall is rather special. From the fantastic Fistral Beach, a hotspot for some of the best surfers in Europe, to the Blue Reef Aquarium, complete with an underwater tunnel, there’s something for all ages here. But at the end of the day, we love sitting with some fish and chips on the Harbour, watching the day go by. Top tip: Head here in August for Boardmasters Festival, which brings some of the biggest names in music to Newquay.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Whitby, North Yorkshire
If you’re looking for a British seaside town with Blue Flag beaches and picturesque scenery, then Whitby is for you. Towering over this quintessentially English coastline is Whitby Abbey, a 7th-century Christian monastery with its remains standing proudly atop the cliff. While Whitby may not be your traditional seaside town, stroll around its cobbled streets, and you’ll stumble upon a destination full of excitement, heritage and, of course, award-winning beaches. Top tip: Head to the Whalebone Arch and go vessel spotting.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Margate, Kent
Margate has everything an English beach town should have, including dramatic coastlines, 2p slot machines, and even a vintage, 50s-style theme park! You see, in Margate, it’s all very retro chic – so much so that kitsch is deemed cool. Follow the cobbled streets to Margate’s Old Town for a number of hip vintage shops, indie cafés and boutiques. And for art fans, Turner Contemporary is a must-see. Much like East London, Margate is a hipster haven.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
St Ives, Cornwall
One of the most popular beach towns in England, St Ives was voted one of TripAdvisor’s ‘top 10 beaches in Europe’ – and with good reason too. This surfing haven, with beaches like Porthmeor, is perfect for those looking to ride the waves, while its very own Tate is well worth a few hours of your time. Just a short walk from the Tate is St Ives Bay, with its turquoise waters arguably the cleanest in the country. Top tip: For great views of St Ives, visit the headland at the side of the Bay.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Hunstanton, Norfolk
Hunstanton is a unique beast; it’s the only west-facing town on the east coast, meaning that the sun can be seen setting over the sea. Famed for its striped cliffs and spectacular sunsets, this Victorian-era resort is Norfolk’s gem. Perfect for a family adventure, Hunstanton has a beautiful beach, a collection of rock pools to explore, plentiful tranquil gardens, horticultural trails and its own lighthouse. Strangely (for England anyway), due to Hunstanton’s (or ‘Hunny’ to the locals) west-facing location, sunshine is almost guaranteed – kind of.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Most famous for its imposing Castle atop a 180-foot (54.8-metre) volcanic outcrop, Bamburgh is one of the north-east’s most popular beach towns. No trip to Bamburgh would be complete without climbing, or clambering, to the summit of the Castle for fantastic views of the surrounding coast and countryside. Don’t forget to take a boat trip out to the iconic Farne Islands too, where around 150,000 pairs of puffins migrate for the summer months.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
