BBC NEWS | UK | UK's best beaches

BEACH:	Ainsdale, Merseyside
HOW TO GET THERE:	Ainsdale lies between Southport and Formby and is approached off the A565. The town has good rail links to Southport and Liverpool.

Sandy beach with dunes which provide a haven for wildlife. Activities include windsurfing, sailing and parakarting. Facilities include lost child centre and dog exercise area. Pay parking available on the beach. Discovery Centre nearby gives further information about local flora and fauna.

BEACH:	Bridlington North, East Yorkshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	By car from the south take the A164. A163, A166 through Wolds to Bridlington. From the north, via the A1, A19, A166 coastal route. From the west, via the A514, A166 to Bridlington. By rail take the East Coast line.

Looks out across bay to stunning high white chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head with bird nesting sites. Sand and shingle beach with facilities including: restaurant/ cafe; beach huts; windsurfing canoeing; sailing; jet skiing; slipway; deckchair hire; promenade; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; crazy golf; entertainers; lost children centre; leisure centre; harbour; free and street parking; amusement arcade.

BEACH:	Cleethorpes Central, Lincolnshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	Access by road is via the A180 from the motorway network. A46 from Lincoln, A16 from Boston and follow signs for Cleethorpes. The main railway station is from Doncaster, Manchester, London and Sheffield.

Traditional promenade plus Victorian gardens feature on gently sloping sandy beach with facilities including: restaurant/ cafe; beach huts; windsurfing; canoeing; sailing; jet skiing; slipway; deckchair hire; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; lost children centre; leisure centre; harbour; street and free parking (across road); amusement arcade.

BEACH:	Filey, North Yorkshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	Filey is about 10 miles south of Scarborough on the A165. It is also accessible by rail.

Filey beach has a glorious wide stretch of golden sand dominated by the dramatic beauty of the Filey Brigg promentory can be seen. Pony rides, sailing lessons, kite flying and deckchairs are available.

BEACH:	Hornsea, East Yorkshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	Access via the B1242 and B1244 which are both off the main A165.

The golden sands edge the town of Hornsea with its newly developed promenade. To the north can be seen the picturesque Flamborough headland and stretching to the south is Spurn Point. This beach marks one end of the Trans-Pennine Trail, which passes close to Hornsea Mere, the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire.

BEACH:	Sandhaven, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	Nearest town South Shields easily accessible via the Metro rapid transit system, Tyne Ferry and regional bus network. The town also easily reached via the Tyne tunnel and A194M.

South of the river Tyne's south pier and designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the seabird population. Has over half a mile of sand with dunes and cliffs plus facilities including: cafe/ restaurant; surfing; windsurfing; deckchair hire; promenade; pier; dog restrictions; dog exercise area; lost child centre; entertainers; bowling; crazy golf; amusement arcade; fairground; pay parking; campsite.

BEACH:	Scarborough North Bay, North Yorkshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	Approximately one mile (1.6km) from Scarborough town centre. There is a regular bus service available every 15 minutes.

Castle dominates skyline of quiet, sandy beach with facilities including: surfing; jet skiing; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; deckchair hire; slipway; lost child centre; promenade; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; crazy golf; pay parking; street parking; sealife centre; miniature railway; theatre.

BEACH:	Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	Cullercoats is between the resorts of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth. Accessible by car from A19 or by using Tyneside's rapid transport system, the Metro, to Cullercoats station.

Enclosed by small piers with launching point for local fishing boats and pleasure craft to south. Sandy beach backed by cliffs with marine laboratory, a working Victorian lifeboat house and a water house plus facilities including: cafe/ restaurant; deckchair hire; slipway; lost child centre; promenade; pier; amusement arcade; dog restricted area; free car parking; street parking.

BEACH:	Tynemouth, Longsands South, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located to the north of the river Tyne's mouth and neighbouring town resort of Whitley Bay. Accessible from A19 by car or by Tyneside's rapid transport system, the Metro, from Tynemouth station.

Small bay enclosed by cliffs and grass banks at foot of Tynemouth Priory, a historical Abbey run by English Heritage. Sandy beach with facilities including: windsurfing; deckchair hire; lost child centre; promenade; dog restricted area; pay car park; street parking.

BEACH:	Tynemouth, Longsands South, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	Located to the north of the river Tyne's mouth and neighbouring town resort of Whitley Bay. Accessible from A19 by car or by Tyneside's rapid transport system, the Metro, from Tynemouth station.

Rural characteristics but urban location. Half a mile of sandy beach with dunes and facilities including: windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; kite surfing; cafe/ restaurant, deckchair hire; surfboard hire; lost child centre; promenade; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; crazy golf; pay car park; street parking; harbour; park; sealife centre; toy museum nearby.

BEACH:	Whitburn North, Seaburn, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	The nearest town is Sunderland. Access to the beach is via Seaburn.

Backed by traffic-free promenade, the sandy beach has rocky shore to the north noted for wildlife and facilities including: cafe/ restaurant; windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; deckchair hire; lost child centre; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; entertainers; amusement arcade; leisure centre; free parking; street parking; wildlife reserve.

BEACH:	Whitburn South, Roker, Tyne and Wear
HOW TO GET THERE:	The nearest town is Sunderland. Access is via Roker.

Near to the Victorian-themed Roker Park, the wide sand and shingle beach has rocky shore to north and facilities including: cafe/ restaurant; windsurfing; surfing; canoeing; sailing; slipway; lost child centre; promenade; pier, dog restricted area; dog exercise area; entertainers; bowling; amusement arcade; free parking; harbour.

BEACH:	Whitby West Cliff, North Yorkshire
HOW TO GET THERE:	Whitby town centre is within walking distance.

Sandy and rocky beach; backed by cliffs; with facilities including: surfing; sailing; cafe/ restaurant; beach huts; deckchair hire; slipway; lost child centre; promenade; pier; dog restricted area; dog exercise area; free and pay parking; harbour.

BEACH:	Whitley Bay South, North Tyneside
HOW TO GET THERE:	Whitley Bay is easily accessible by car from the A19 or by using the Metro rapid transit system to Whitley Bay station.

A 1.5 mile stretch of golden sand punctuated by several nearby rocky outcrops, ideal for rock pooling. Bordered on its northern end by a nature reserve, St Mary's Lighthouse and visitor centre. Good for canoeing. Dog exercise area but dogs restricted elsewhere. Many leisure facilities nearby including mini golf and swimming pool.

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