Best beaches closest to the midlands

[VanillaSpiceCandle]

As per the title I live in the midlands. And while it’s fantastic for train and car travel to most big cities it’s about as far as it can be from the coast.

The weather is supposed to be lovely on Friday and we want to take our six month old to the beach. Norfolk seems to be closest but would love any suggestions for towns that have a sandy beach with a nice fish and chip
shop and decent parking. It’ll be a long drive wherever we go but would like under 4 hours ideally.

So envious of everyone who lives near the seaside!

Aberdovey is lovely.
Otherwise, anywhere in north Wales isn't too far to drive from the midlands ..you've got Barmouth/Llandudno/Aberystwyth/Porthmadog.

Alternatively, Weston Super Mare.

I’ve not been to Wales often but everywhere I’ve been has been lovely. Thanks for the suggestions - so many beachy seaside areas obviously but it’s hard to tell which ones are good from just Google Maps. I want to go to Anglesey in the future but might be too far for a day trip.

Which part of the Midlands? I think Weston is likely to be closest but you can get to places on the south coast quicker from parts.

Which bit of the Midlands? If it's West Midlands then Wales probably (I like Barmouth) or perhaps the West Country. Weston-super-Mare, Minehead etc shouldn't be too far.

But if East Midlands then Norfolk or Lincolnshire. The obvious one in Lincs is Skegness, but TBH its a bit tacky. The nature reserve with beach Gibraltar Point is nearby though, beautiful but no facilities. Holkham in North Norfolk is the loveliest beach, but again no facilities. Wells-next-the-Sea is nearby, similar beach and there are beach huts, ice-cream etc. Fish and chips in the town.

Or Hunstanton in Norfolk is nice.

It really depends exactly where you are.

We are East Midlands and can get to Filey in a couple of hours, the Lincolnshire coast is closer but the roads are slower so about the same journey time.

I live in Warwickshire, so the centre of the centre. But I suppose it means we can go in any direction.

I drove through Skegness on a nice day a few years ago and it was a bit tired. Also we don’t want the fairground stuff which is the main attraction. I had the best chips though.

Wells in Norfolk sounds perfect. I forgot to mention it’s extremely important that there’s good ice cream too 😬