AIBU to ask for UK beach essentials and hacks?

I live in Dorset. Depending on where in Dorset you're staying I can offer some tips of places to visit etc.

Umbrella, raincoat, fleece, and hot chocolate.

I’m a bit shocked by the suggestion of talc, due to the ongoing legal action.

Obviously, no music!

We loved Avon Beach in Christchurch when dc were little, lovely beach cafe and shop, toilets and not too far to walk from the car park. Some of the beach is pebbles but the sea doesn’t go too far out so not too far for them to go to paddle.

Sandbanks is also lovely and sandy but it gets very very busy and so on a sunny day you either need to go early in the morning or late afternoon to get somewhere to park.

we also used to enjoy getting the chain ferry over to swanage, which is a lovely town and beach, lots of nice shops and cafes and plenty of parking.

we also went to Weymouth a few times which has a lovely long sandy beach and the dc loved sea world and Sandworld.

we also like the play areas and water play on boscome chines, and bosombe beach was best for the waves and body boarding.

No music along with those bloody noisy things people play catch with, argh.

You don't need tons unless you're parking super close by. Maybe pick a beach with toilets and a kiosk like Branksombe Chime.

I take a soft sarong, you can dry yourself with it, make a sun shade, sleep under it, sit on it, snuggle damp children in it.

More drinks than you think you'll need and a sun shade.
Parasols are dangerous, they can pick up quite a speed if they blow away.

Sand toys, a fleece, a picnic blanket with a waterproof backing, snacks, wet wipes, tissues and sun hats. We take body board too.

@Flamingojuneyou light enjoy it but everyone else does

@Flamingojune The only way you’d hear it, is if you sat in my lap. And then that’s essentially your problem.

Totally agree with this. We don’t live near the beach but visit often because FIL does and we aim to get there later in the day when it’s quietened down. Also prefer going in the winter / early spring when fewer people are around.

Trying to find the brolley because it’s honestly the best thing!

I can’t find it… but it’s similar to this.. but ours also has a pop up square of fabric at the top of the anchor and that means it can’t even wobble about in super winds.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ammsun-Umbrella-Portable-Coating-Protection/dp/B01N64J6XO/

I think ours might have been a random Costco buy.

I don’t know how because we are the most disorganised people but we have really got our outings game down! And we are now that family where you can sense the envy of the other people!

Our beach kit:
Pop up tent! (That you actually know how to unpop)
screwable into ground sand brolley
turkish towels I think they are called? The quick dry ones
Big flask with ice
picnic food in disposable packaging
spade and bucket

I dont normally go to beaches with beach bars in the uk, but kids, chatter and waves - lovely. Just not tinny digital noise.

Ooh i love swimming under the water

Just make sure everyone keeps their mouths closed and their heads above the water... no splashing.

A nice warm fleece is an absolute essential. Ocean breezes mean it can still get bloody cold on English beaches even on the warmest of days.

Ha selfish listening to quiet music. But kids screaming and people talking and beach bars in the background absolutely fine.

Get a grip. Beaches aren’t silent and it’s hardly DNB at the highest volume.

Agreed. It would be illegal if it were up to me. Completely selfish.

No choice for them being forced into listening to your music if its a busy beach

If you're planning to eat on the beach (even snacks), you need a tent. Otherwise the seagulls will come and steal food out of your children's hands and they're vicious buggers.

@Flamingojune Yep, it’s never loud, and I enjoy listening to music.

I purposely pitch up far away from other people. And with the big beach blankets we are usually some distance around us.

If someone then decides they want to come and sit on top of me, they get the joy of music too.

Blue tooth speaker?😮

My kids are beach babies and I love being by the water.

We have a trolley with wide wheels to pull along the sand as none of my kids are pram age and it carries all our crap effortlessly.

We get there after breakfast and will be there the entire day. Large sheet blankets, so everyone has somewhere to sit/lay, sun cream, toys (buckets, spades, a ball), bottles of water, book, sun glasses, spare towels to dry off, goggles, water wings, big baggy tshirts you don’t mind getting wrecked to throw over their swimming costumes and protect shoulders, Bluetooth speaker for music, sunshade umbrellas you can dig into the sand, pop up tent an absolute must. Water shoes if it’s stony or super hot.

I’ll literally be there until the sun goes down. Best place on earth sitting on the beach, watching people, listening to the ocean.

The fitted sheet hack is good

I saw on Insta someone took little watercolour paint sets for their kids for a bit of quiet time between the swimming etc - might work well, depending on your kids!

Minimal is always the way. Sod lugging loads of crap from the car.

Travel towel each. Food bag. Sunscreen. Mask. Snorkel. Accept the sand, it's a beach. Alternatively try somewhere like Kimmeridge which has huge, warm, rock slabs you can lie on. Plus fossil hunting and amazing sea life.

Yes please to suggestions!

We've got a 4 year old and 6 year old and I'm 7 months pregnant so recommendations for easy child friendly beaches would be wonderful!