Beaches on the way to the Lakes

[swisherfisher]

We are off up to the Lake District next week. We have had it booked since last summer, so please no "you shouldn't be going" or anything like that. We are a family of 4, avid walkers and are unlikely to do much other than walk, cycle and have lunch in the odd pub. We are staying in a remote cottage in the south lakes near Coniston Water.

The kids are absolutely desperate to go to the beach. I've had a quick look online but after some real suggestions. We would be happy to drive for about 45 minutes, which means we can reach the west coast and the southern bit of coast by Barrow.

We would like a nice beach - sandy preferably but stony would be ok. No need to have any 'facilities', though they would perhaps be nice. Kids just want to paddle and play for a bit. A walk by the sea would also be just lovely.

We absolutely do not want anything stupidly busy. We want to be as responsible as we can whilst holidaying. We will be driving up from the Midlands past Blackpool etc, did occur to us to stop off there (or nearby) on the way there or back, but am guessing that will be crazy busy, especially as our travelling days are a Saturday.

Any thoughts for nice beaches that would fit the bill?

Not beaches, but there are lots of areas around Lake Coniston that have little shores ( pebbly) where you can paddle, swim and use inflatables.

Also St Bees has a beach.

Lytham st annes is lovely

Go to the beach at Cleveleys rather than Blackpool. It's a couple of miles north up the Fylde coast. Lovely sandy beach and it never seems to get busy.

Formby

Blackpool is rubbish unless you like tourist tat!
Formby. Ainsdale, Latham are all nice. Cleveleys is nice too, but likely to be busy.

Walney from Coniston is about 45 mins and has some nice beaches. Pretty empty too.

Thanks everyone. I hadn't thought about playing in the actual lake - that sounds fun! Thanks for that tip.

Formby is a bit far out of the way I think, but Cleveleys and Lytham could be good.

Silecroft on the cumbrian west coast. Beautiful vast expanse of sandy beach when the tide is out.

Lytham is an estuary, no sea (but there is sand), so I wouldn’t bother, even in St Annes you can walk for thirty minutes before you reach water. I’d try further north on the Fylde, or maybe Morecambe/Silverdale

Arnside, once you are up there. Small beach , pretty well set up wee shops and cafes, lovely scenery.
It's more of a trip diversion than you think going over to Blackpool/Cleveleys from the M6. You'd spend more time on the M55 and M6 than actually enjoying yourself by the sea.

Crosby beach near Blundellsands, kill two birds with one stone and view the Antony Gormley figures?

When we went to the lakes last year there were lots of children playing in them. I didn't think of it either so hadn't taken their swimwear. Would love to go again.

roanhead at Barrow but to be honest...just play on the lake. Lots of fun. I would order some of those aquashoes for kids - like rubber soled slippers so rocks and things don’t bother them and go play in the lake.
One side of Coniston is currently shut (due to badly parking tourists and litter) so just check before you go.
Also Safer lakes website has live updates on how busy the car parks are which is helpful.

Silecroft.

Lakes are cold so would recommend some kids wet suits as well

We used to go to the Lakes a lot - no idea how busy it is at the moment by would recommend St Bees and Walney Island ( just over the road bridge from Barrow ) , lots of sand and dog whizzed around for ‘ miles ‘ .

It always takes ages to get to the Lancs beaches - we live relatively close but still have to gird our loins, I wouldn’t want to divert on a long journey - all the roads across W Lancs & Fylde are very slow and bendy.

Wirral might be better, as there are motorways all the way up to the end?

www.visitwirral.com/things-to-do/attractions/beaches

Here you go op Best beaches in the Lake District. Millom is meant to be good for dc.

Out of interest, is there much sand on Arnside beach Bellinisurge? It's a lovely village but I I remember it as more of a mud flat than a bucket and spade place for dc tbh, but I could be wrong. I don't remember it being suitable for paddling but we only went to the bit near the sea front car park area so there could be other places we didn't explore. I remember there was a loud siren to warn everyone when the tide came in very quickly as it could be dangerous and one or two families used to get caught out every year. So do watch out if you go there op!

Oh sorry, just reread with brain in gear & see you’re not sure about stopping on the way!

I wouldn’t look around Barrow - the whole extended Morecambe Bay Area leans towards mud.

Ravenglass might work - there’s also a castle there & a steam railway

www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-west-england/cumbria/ravenglass.htm

Ravenglass beach is near Eskdale which is absolutely gorgeous!

Silverdale, arnside, allonby are all good bets

Morecambe bay will possible take you just over an hour to get to from coniston but it’s beautiful. Morecambe town itself is sadly a bit run down and shabby but you’ll be able to find plenty of lovely spots nearby. Arnside, Silverdale, grange over sands etc. www.visitlancashire.com/explore/morecambe-bay

In fact here’s a much better link exploremorecambebay.org.uk/

Arnside and Silverdale, Grange over Sands. Some nice beaches in the Heysham area too.