England beaches include the sandy beaches in Cornwall and Devon, the busy resorts in the north of England and the seaside towns in the Southeast.

Southwest England has a reputation for being home to some of the best beaches in the UK. Here the beaches are sandier than in other parts of the country and the coastline is dotted with pretty seaside towns and resorts. The most famous beach in the southeast is Brighton, and northwest England is best known for its busy resorts, including the infamous Blackpool.

Beach Resorts in Devon

Devon’s beaches attract thousands of English holidaymakers every year. There are great beaches on the Devon coastline and some pretty seaside towns and busy resorts. Some of the most popular holiday resorts here are Torquay and Bournemouth with their variety of beaches, cafes, restaurants, good nightlife and plenty to do for all visitors.

Accommodation standards have been rising over the years and there is now a wide range of places to stay in Devon’s beach resort towns, from bed-and-breakfasts to boutique hotels.

Surfing on Cornwall's Beaches

Cornwall has sandy beaches, quiet coves, picturesque fishing villages and small towns, and even some surfing. Beaches are dotted along the Cornish coastline and there are busier resorts as well as smaller and more peaceful seaside villages.

South and West Cornwall offer some spectacular scenery and great swimming. Surfers head to Newquay, and the more rugged coastline in North Cornwall invites hikers and walkers as well as beach-goers.

Northwest England’s Beaches

Northwest England’s Blackpool is one of the best known beach resort towns in the U.K. Famous for very lively party scene, Blackpool also attracts families for weekend breaks and summer holidays. The town is filled with bars, nightclubs, fast food joints and souvenir stores, and is very popular with stag nights and hen parties. While many describe Blackpool as tacky, it remains one of the most popular beaches in the country.

Southeast England Beaches

The southeast coast has several busy beach resorts and seaside towns, and one of the most famous is Brighton Beach. Located just an hour away from London, this is Londoners’ favorite day-trip destination in the summer. A pebbly beach, very busy nightlife, great shopping and a good variety of restaurants and cafes make Brighton a great town to visit, and you can get there by train from London.

Summer weekends see large crowds on the beach, so those who prefer quieter destinations can explore the smaller beaches around the towns of Brighton and Hove.