BBC NEWS | UK | UK's best beaches

BEACH:	Cromer, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Vehicle access is via the A149 and A148. Trains direct to and from Norwich.

Traditional seaside attractions include an End of Pier show and one of UK's few slipway launched lifeboats. Sand and shingle beach with cliffs and facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; amusement arcade; leisure centre; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; bowling; crazy golf; town; campsite.

BEACH:	Dovercourt Bay, Essex
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located on the seafront at Dovercourt. Access by mainline trains with stations at Dovercourt and Ipswich. Bus routes from Clacton and Colchester. Road access via A120. Walking distance from Harwich and Dovercourt stations.

Panoramic views of Harwich Harbour and Hamford Water. Gently shelving sand and shingle beach with access from a promenade and facilities including: windsurfing; jet skiing; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; slipway; promenade; dog restricted area; bowling; free, pay and street parking; harbour; camping; wildlife reserve; amusement arcade; leisure centre; lost child centre.

BEACH:	Felixstowe, South Suffolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Access by rail to Felixstowe South and by road via the A14. Coaches and buses stop alongside the beach.

Shingle and sand beach backed by seafront gardens and children's amusements, plus facilities including: windsurfing; cafe; beach huts; deckchair hire; first aid; promenade; pier; dog restrictions; entertainers; crazy golf; pay car park.

BEACH:	Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Adjoining the lower promenade/ esplanade with adjacent parking. Clearly signed from the town centre.

Sandy beach with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; sailing; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; dog restrictions; entertainers; bowling; free and street parking; harbour; amusement arcade.

BEACH:	Great Yarmouth Central, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Only a few minutes' walk from the town centre, between Britannia and Wellington Piers. There is a large overspill car park minutes from the beach and town centre.

A wide sandy beach with promenades, cafes, piers, shops and other amenities. Deckchair hire, children's entertainers, beach huts, lifeguards and a lost child centre are available on the beach. The adjacent marina leisure centre provides indoor family facilites including a wave pool.

BEACH:	Lowestoft, North of the Pier, Suffolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located centrally in Lowestoft, adjacent to the main A12 trunk road, approximately half a mile from main rail station. Next to coach drop-off point (Royal Plain) and bus stop.

Sandy beach with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; jet skiing; amusement arcade; cafe/ restaurants; beach huts; lost child centre; promenade; pier; dog restricted area; entertainers; crazy golf; free and pay parking; harbour; camp site.

BEACH:	Lowestoft, South of the Pier, Suffolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located centrally in Lowestoft, adjacent to the main A12 trunk road, approximately half a mile from main rail station. Next to coach drop-off point (Royal Plain) and bus stop.

Sandy beach with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; jet skiing; play equipment; children's corner; amusement arcade; cafe/ restaurants; beach huts; deckchair hire; lost child centre; promenade; pier; dog restricted area; entertainers; crazy golf; free and pay parking; harbour; camp site.

BEACH:	Mundesley, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Vehicle access is via the B1159 and B1145 (from Cromer & North Walsham). The nearest train station is North Walsham (Norwich to Cromer line). A local bus service connects with trains.

Low cliffs with beautiful cliff top gardens form backdrop to sandy beach with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; cafe/ restaurant; slipway; promenade; dog restricted area; crazy golf; free, street and pay parking (across road); camping; amusement arcade.

BEACH:	Sea Palling, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	The nearest town, Stalham is 5 miles (8km) away on the B1159. Local bus service and county services link to all coastal towns and the historic city of Norwich. Stalham is the gateway to the Norfolk Broads. There are good cycle routes to Sea Palling.

Long, sandy beach at end of quiet road backed by dunes and with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; jet skiing; cafe/ restaurant; dog restricted area; pay parking; camping; amusement arcade.

BEACH:	Sheringham, Norfolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Sheringham vehicle access via A149, A148. Train direct from Norwich. Cycle route (quiet lanes project) Cromer to King's Lynn. Coastal bus routes and local bus service inland.

Former fishing village, now seaside town, which still has fishing and crab boats plying trade from the shore. Sand and shingle beach with facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; slipway; promenade; deck chair hire; dog restricted area; crazy golf; bowling; entertainers; free, street and pay parking; camping; amusement arcade; leisure centre.

BEACH:	Southwold Pier, Suffolk
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located in Southwold. Access to Southwold from the main A12 trunk road via A1095. There is a local bus service and the beach is adjacent to the coach drop off point and parking.

A holiday destination for generations with recently built pier, a boating lake and model yacht pond. The sand and shingle beach has facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; jet skiing; cafe; beach huts; deckchair hire; lost child centre; promenade; pier; dog restrictions; crazy golf; free, pay and street parking; amusement arcade; harbour.

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