The UK's best beaches for large groups

Is there anything more exciting than planning your summer holiday? And it's extra special when combined with a group of friends or your extended family. You just have to make sure that you choose the right location, which generally tends to be a beach, due to the diversity and freedom it instantly affords groups of all ages.

There's absolutely no doubt that the seaside presents the best location for these kinds of large group holidays, especially when there are kids involved. The beach gives children all the freedom and space they need to discharge their batteries, while the adults simultaneously get the opportunity to relax and recharge theirs. The result is that everyone takes home great memories, fun filled shared experiences and quality bonding time.

Once your group has decided on a budget and a destination, the lucky person responsible for finding accommodation needs to find a holiday home that ticks all the boxes. It's actually a lot easier these days thanks to all manner of search criteria available on holiday rental websites. A key criterion for every beach holiday has to be accessibility and distance from the beachfront, whilst also covering proximity to amenities, entertainment and attractions. In the case of large groups, paying that little extra for a beachfront property can really pay dividends as it eliminates the negotiation of logistics and varying family or friend routines. Blue Flag beaches tend to be popular destinations as they generally offer clean bathing and nearby essential facilities.

When there is a variety of ages and preferences in your group to consider, Cornwall is a bit of a no brainer because its coastal locations offer nature trails, water sports, family attractions and a host of outdoor activities. If you choose a location near to the main resorts there is always plenty of natural and man-made attractions to keep everyone happily entertained. For the younger crowds who crave the surfing scene, Newquay is perfect with its fabulous choice of blue flag beaches, including the popular Fistral Bay, the less crowded Lusty Glaze and the secluded Crantock Bay, all of which are very family oriented and surrounded by natural beauty. If you want a location that’s perhaps a bit more low-key then Bude offers another top quality surf destination without all the nightlife thrown in. Whilst Bude is quieter it is still set-up for the tourist trade with a wide choice of restaurants, pubs and essential facilities near the beaches. If you need a bit of culture then St Ives has it in spades, along with some of the best beaches in Cornwall, gourmet restaurants and an iconic art scene.

If St Ives is too busy then the neighboring Carbis Bay is far enough away to avoid any major crowds. For something a little quainter yet equally as scenic the pretty fishing villages of Port Isaac, Portreath and Mawgan Porth are worthy destinations for large group holidays with top-notch beaches and plenty of beach and non-beach related activities. South East Cornwall has more of a resort feel about it but it’s still easy to find the odd wild cove if the crowds get a bit too much. Looe has a plethora of interesting coves on offer, for a bit of glitz there is the glamour of St Mawes and for great sandy beaches there is the popular resort of Mevagissey. For endless activities choose Falmouth and for quintessential Cornish landscapes Mousehole's harbour town is second to none. But if Mousehole seems a tad too small for you and your group of pals, then you can dip in and out of neighboring Penzance, a traditional resort that has a host of seaside activities on offer.

Devon can easily match Cornwall's expanses of sand and has the famous English Riviera to add to its roster. The classic quintessential resorts of Torquay, Brixham and Paignton offer a great selection of large group beach houses to rent while a little further south there are also a select choice of large beach cottages in and around around Beesands and the popular resort of Salcombe. Now if you're heading down to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset the obvious choice for group cottages is Bournemouth with its great beaches and nightlife, sure to compliment any group holiday.

Now if Devon and Cornwall are a little too far for your liking, then look no further than Sussex for group accommodation on the beach. Places like the trendy Camber Sands, the luxurious Angmering on Sea, West Wittering or Brighton and Hove offer fabulous beaches with all the trimmings including great restaurants and stunning beaches. Now be prepared for some serious rental-candy when you start browsing the large holiday homes in Camber, Angmering and West Wittering as the quality, level of luxury and attention to detail is quite simply breathtaking. Camber has a very hip vibe along its idyllic, wild beach while Angmering is pure five-star luxury with a private beach that offers peaceful sunbathing and watersports galore. Now before you discard these as unattainable, do the math’s on a per person basis and you’ll discover (as we have) that it is actually possible to treat yourself to a five star short break with all the bells and whistles including hot tubs, dream kitchens and snooker tables.

For those of you looking to please the kids, then look no further than Brighton and Hove for totally family friendly beaches with all the props. Whilst Brighton offers a cosmopolitan social scene and full-on entertainment, Hove offers more natural surroundings and loads of outdoor activities. For those who want to enjoy the wilder side of Sussex then the beach at West Wittering is for you with its dunes, the natural harbour and amazing wildlife.

If the North East is more your cup of tea for a group holiday near the beach then check out the fabulous beach destinations in Wales and Norfolk. Wales is famous for its endless miles of National Park coastlines that teem with sea life and offer watersports in abundance. Starting in the North with Anglesey there are some rural and secluded beaches such as Rhosneigr, great for those who love the outdoors and surfing. Abersoch, on the Llyn Peninsula, has a magnificent beach that is un-crowded and perfect for enjoying the elements. Church Bay is a wonderful beach resort offering the very best of what Wales has to offer in terms of the combination of culture and nature. Llandudno is surrounded by some of North Wales most stunning and dramatic scenery and has a fabulously organised tourist structure that makes holidaying there a very relaxed affair. For those who want plenty of attractions and a bit more of a social scene, look no further than the bright lights of Cardiff.

When you think of group holidays in Norfolk imagine Nature Parks, huge golden beaches and ambrosia countryside. Norfolk is a cyclist's paradise and a nature lover's playground with cycling routes that take in all the many cultural and historic sites, attractions and activities. Places like Winterton on Sea offer a great base from which to explore this magical coastline, as does Eccles on Sea and Hickling.

So there you have it; an absolute smorgasbord of beach destinations across the UK for large group holidays with plenty of beachside group accommodation to suit a range of budgets and requirements.