Is there anywhere in the UK, that has a lovely sandy beach and is also a buzzy city.?

[JennyTals]

It has to be sandy beach only

Is this for a holiday or to live?

Definitely none of the Cornish ones... They're all towns, and definitely not cities!

Exeter to Exmouth beach? It's a short train ride.

Edinburgh. Wardie Bay, Cramond Beach and Portobello Beach are all sandy.

If we're allowed cities that are quite near nice sandy beaches (St Andrews is not even a large town), then I vote for Lancaster/Morecambe.

Margate and Whitstable

I live by the beach.. and can assure you at this time of year most will not be buzzing! Personally I love it, not so much in scorching temperatures and ram packed with tourists. What you actually hoping to find? A permanent home, a day trip out to build sandcastle and have a vino 🤷🏼‍♀️ it's not really clear.

@irregularegular Ramsgate!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ need to wear my glasses more often!

Newquay is miles away from being a city!

And Reigate is miles away from the sea... (and also not a city).

Swansea fits both city and sandy beach criteria, but not sure whether I'd call it 'buzzy'.
Bournemouth also ticks both boxes but depends what kind of buzz you're after.

The issue with seaside places is that they will be heavily tourist driven in their economies, and that doesn't necessarily give you the same kind of 'buzz' as you get with cities. Ones that attract a lot of stag/hen parties (and I'd put Bournemouth in that bracket) might have the kind of vibe that you'd rather avoid than embrace.

There are plenty of sandy beaches within 20 miles of Norwich. Under rated imo

There's good ones along the northern coast by Newcastle/Edinburgh/Liverpool, but you're not getting the climate that you would on the south coast (let alone abroad).

That's why the likes of Brighton and Bournemouth get swamped.

Barry Island is a ghastly place though. If you want lovely sandy beaches you need to go further west to places like Southerndown, ogmore, Rest bay but they're around 30 to 45 mins from Cardiff.

OP how far from the city do you want the sandy beach? If you want it walking distance it's going to be practically impossible but if you're prepared to drive for 30/40 minutes it's much more doable. Is this for holiday or to live?

Whitstable is stony, but Margate itself has a sandy beach. Also you have other beaches nearby. Canterbury is nicer if you want a city with plenty of beaches within a 20 minute drive. Also worth looking at Folkestone for a large town on the up.

Plymouth and Bovisand? Also you can get lots of little boats over to cornish beaches. You need to get the right area of Plymouth though as some areas are quite depressed.

If you're happy with colder weather Edinburgh would be my top choice.

I see Bournemouth has been mentioned. Bournemouth is definitely the best beach with buzzy things to do. It doesn’t get better than Bournemouth.

Yes to live, you know when you just need to mix things up a bit, I'm ready for a few changes

Bridlington and sandown Iow are both lovely

Edinburgh has lovely beaches very nearby.

St Andrews is definitely not a city! 😆

Yes, Edinburgh - Portobello beach is lovely. Not warm though!

Agree!

If you're wanting to relocate with teens, bear in mind that Scotland has a different school system.

Aberdeen

Yup, 100%. Come here, it’s lush!

Bournemouth has a university and so has a student life, so not a big city but definitely young people friendly as well as a lovely beach.

Exeter is bigger and has a big student population as well, no beach for the city, but many beaches very close all along the East and South Devon coasts and 20 minutes drive or a train away.

@FKAT I can confirm that Crosby Beach is definitely a beach and definitely in Liverpool. (Well technically the Borough of Sefton). It has a Liverpool postcode and is served by Waterloo station on the Merseyrail system. See below per Wikipedia...

Teens would love it there, good range of schools, 6 miles from Liverpool city centre and great transport connections. No surf though unfortunately!

"Crosby Beach is part of the Merseysidecoastline north of Liverpool in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England, stretching about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) North-West from the Seaforth Dock in the Port of Liverpool, through Waterloo, where it separates the sea from the Marina. The beach was awarded Keep Britain Tidy's Quality Coast Award in 2011."

Edinburgh. Definitely top marks!