Cream of British Beach Holidays

One thing that Devon and Cornwall have in common is that they share claim to owning England’s best beaches.

Miles and miles of soft golden sands, pebbles and rock pools all whipped and washed by those majestic Atlantic waves. Secret coves secluded by scouring cliffs, broad bays crowned by feathery dunes and an array of quintessentially British resorts, all full of great holiday cottages. There’s Devon’s endearingly old-fashioned Torquay and Paignton and Cornwall's arty St. Ives or surfy Newquay, but don’t forget that dotted in-between are hundreds of unique old fishing harbours, sleepy hamlets and market towns. It’s a fantastically diverse mix of landscapes, communities and characters.

Picture-perfect Devon holidays have always been England’s most popular holiday destination thanks to its natural wonders, old-world fishing villages, stunning coastline, warm folk and capacity to offer something for everyone: cliffs and hills to hike, bridleways to bike, waves to ride and hearty cuisine to indulge. If it’s the kitsch seaside you’re after, then head to the 'English Riviera' seaside resorts of Torquay or Paignton. You'll find the beaches here relaxing and fun in an unashamedly old-fashioned sort of way. But Devon is expansive and hides many coastal gems such as Appledore and Croyde. There are also many interesting places to visit including; the Babbacombe beaches, red-clay cliffs and model village; The Pilgrim Father's Bayard's Cove, Plymouth's City Museum & Art Gallery; Dartmouth's Castle and Arts and Crafts Coleton Fishacre, Kent's Cavern  Stone Age caves, and for a bit of nature try Plymouths Marine Aquarium or Paignton Zoo. Then there are the many pubs, inns and trendy eateries serving hearty Devonian cooking.

Devon beach cottages offer the perfect base to discover this region’s spectacular beaches and enjoy the local beach lifestyle. There are many Devon cottages listed on Beachlets near fantastic beaches in Bideford, Brixham, Croyde, Lyme Bay, Paignton, Salcombe, Teignmouth, Torcross, Torquay, Saunton, Westward Ho and Woolacombe. Conveniently, most of these holiday cottages in Devon contain information on local attractions like water sports, coastal walks and seaside entertainment.

You can’t get much further west than the Celtic kingdom of Cornwall and it has the mildest climate in Britain, spring comes early, and autumn lingers longer. It also has the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain, so its history and culture is totally linked with the sea. There is tiny fishing ports, old smuggler’s inns and countless stunning beaches and sweeping bays, some decorated with colourful wooden boats, while others are decorated with families enjoying the elements. The once important fishing industry is slowly being replaced by the tourist industry and it’s easy to see what keeps the visitors coming back each year. From the secluded coves and tree-clad curved bye-ways of the southern coast to the wild crumbling tumbling north coast, Cornwall is breathtakingly beautiful. And with its addition of futuristic greenhouses and world-class galleries, alongside its old mines and ancient towns, Cornwall has the perfect combination of old world authenticity and contemporary chic. Cornwall holidays offer the most beautiful coastlines in England, from towering cliffs, windblown estuaries, superb surf beaches, fishing coves, harbours, to sheltered leafy creeks. And the Cornwall Coastal Footpath makes so much of this British jewel accessible to the walker and hiker, from Land’s End to Bude.

Land's End, as the name would suggest, is the south-westerly most point of Britain. The views are great, there are boats to the Isles of Scilly and a kids play area where you can enjoy a Punch and Judy show. Not far from here is the stunning Porth Curno. This beach also happens to be the back-drop to the Minnack Theatre, an amphitheatre sculptured into the cliff above. A drive away is The Lizard Peninsula with great views at Kynance Cove. The North coast is famous for surfing and offers many great resorts. Most famous is St Ives with its cobbled streets, thriving arts scene and array of unique shops and trendy restaurants to accompany the vibrant beaches and colourful port side.

Newquay is the surfing capital with its Fistral and Towan beaches and is the most popular resort among the younger crowds. Around Newquay there are several beaches perfect for surfing, beach games, swimming and sun lounging. Besides the beach and views, Newquay's main drag, just up from the port is full of surf, clothing and souvenir shops and is worth a stroll. You won't miss the unmistakably childish fun of Newquay. The young crowds drive around in beetles, camper vans and done up cars to the sound of dance beats while trying to impress the other visitors. Cottages on the beach offer a relaxing form of accommodation so as to enjoy this region and actually feel a part of the local community.

Another favourite in the South West is Bournemouth in Dorset, we'll be covering this region in more depth in one of our upcoming blog posts.

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