Does everyone love going to the beach?

[heartsinvisiblefury]

TV this morning saying we all love the beach, we all can’t wait to head down to the beach, we’re all looking forward to sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun.

I can’t think of anything worse on a hot day. I hate it. Hate the sand, hate the sea, hate the journey to get there, stuck in traffic in a car then finding somewhere to park etc. Hate being surrounded be people with their music blaring, hate standing in a long queue at a beachside restaurant to get food. Hate walking for miles to the toilet.

I know I sound like a misery but I cant be the only one….

I LOVE the beach, but I don't go to beaches that are like the one you described in your OP.
I go to big, spacious beaches without many people on them.

I love walking on sand. I love paddling. I love people watching. I love the sound of the sea. I just love the tradition of it all.

My DC hate it. They are weirdos. Once a year they used to go on holiday with school friends to a cottage by the beach. Everyone else in shorts or trunks. My DC in all photos, fully clothed, shoes on, standing up so they don't get sand on them. They loved the holidays and were perfectly happy for friends to tease them about it but hated the beach.

I love it all. Sand, sea, swimming, kayaking, rock pools, dunes, fish and chips, beach-combing, jellyfish.

I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of a beach so me and DD will sometimes take a walk down for a paddle and an ice cream on a nice day during the summer holidays. The parking is horrendous on hot days though, I wouldn't go if I had to drive.

I loved it as a kid. But as an adult, not so much.

The sea is always freezing. Maybe I was hardier as a kid. Or maybe I just hadn't been exposed to warm Mediterranean seas. But I can't tolerate the cold water now. I don't mind a quick paddle, but a 5 minute paddle will do just fine.

Mostly it's windy, so you get the sand blowing into your face and eyes.

I'm no longer interested in making sandcastles or collecting shells or writing in the sand with a stick. Which just leaves reading. But then the wind blows the pages of your book constantly. Or you get suncream on the pages.

Suncream and sand is bad combination.

That's not to say that I don't like the seaside or a walk on the beach. I'm quite partial to an ice cream while I sit on a bench and look out at the sea. Or going on a cliff walk by the sea. Or a walk on a quiet beach early in the morning or late in the evening. But I'd find it really boring to sit on the beach all day.

We live a stones throw from the beach, we are there every day during autumn/winter/spring. Summer is a nightmare, hundreds of tourists descend to our small town and the beach is packed. Locals just can't enjoy it. Our lovely local beach cafe which, out of season, we visit daily after a dog walk, is totally off limits in the summer unless you want to wait an hour for a coffee and the quiet lanes to get to the beach are gridlocked. By the beginning of August I'm absolutely ready for the Autumn!

I went this afternoon. Been hot and sticky all day. Got down there at about 4.30. Busy but not crazy busy, quick refreshing dip in the sea and a much needed cool down. Was lovely.

Love the beach. I was brought up by the sea so the beach was a huge part
of my childhood. What I don’t understand is people particularly on holidays abroad lined up on sunbeds round a pool.

Also, all the effort
and cost of holidaying abroad and not actually leaving the hotel. That’s what I struggle to understand.

The beach is my idea of hell. I manage it about once or twice a year for my family. Give me a garden any day.

No, sand is bloody awful!

Dad is from Cornwall, although he went to uni up north and never moved back there. However he took us every few months and for extended breaks in the summer to visit our grandma. So we grew up on the beach, swimming in the sea, digging holes, making castles, dodging big waves (or trying! Ha!). The beach was my favourite place.

I remember swimming and playing for hours. But I had my sister. My kids have big age gaps between them so it's been more challenging to entertain them on the beach.

Toilets are also an issue. My dad would always just tell me to wee in the sea. But I'm lucky if I can get my own kids in the sea other than a paddle. They're pool kids if I'm honest.

My youngest is more of a beach boy. He's autistic and loves the sand and water. Like a big sensory playground. It's worth it seeing him so happy, however as a parent you're left with the clean up.

Bottom line? Amazing childhood memories, stressful parenting reality!

Is he Cancerian? They can be (over) sensitive souls sometimes.

I like it when it’s warm enough to swim in the sea, as it often is in the S of the U.K. after a good spell of hot weather. I do enjoy a top-up of Vitamin Sea.
Just sitting on a beach, not so much - but I’ve never minded sand. I’d always be happy to take the Gdcs though - they do love a beach.

So many beaches, so many locations, so much different weather!

I've had good & bad experiences at the beach and lots in between. I love to sea the see at all times, one of my favourite things to do. Love the sound and the smell. Love boats and water activities.

Generally speaking if there's a clean (ish) toilet nearby and toilet roll and soap and tap that's my main requirement.

🌞🏖️🦀⛵️

I swam in warm sea on a busy ish beach with great facilities for the first time in over 10 years in 2023 and it was total bliss.

I love coast paths best.

But I have to say TV saying "everyone loves the beach" is obviously a load of bullshit but I think they're just trying to smooth along the day.

I’d much rather be by the sea in a hot day than in the city, where I live.

We went to the beach yesterday - huge shingle beach so no matter how busy it doesn’t feel rammed, with a little cafe and loos, decent parking nearby and a nice little town behind it. It was lovely in the sea.

I love being in the sea, it's my favourite thing ever. You can just lie there and float and stare at the sky, unlike a swimming pool.

I only like quiet beaches, whether in the UK or abroad. I can’t bear to be on a crowded beach - just horrid, stresses me out completely. Much rather be sat in my own little back garden, in the shade whilst reading a book with a glass of wine.

I also love the beach but our local beaches are stony - I used to think stony/shingle beaches were dreadful, but get a pair of swim shoes & its a total game changer. NO SAND!! and you can easily move stones to accommodate your body perfectly.

Our beaches can get quite busy on a hot summer day so I usually cycle or walk as parking can be tricky. Its lovely to see everyone there enjoying themselves. In the cooler weather the beaches are mostly deserted again.