To go to the beach tomorrow ?!

[Imknackeredzzz]

Everyone seems to think I’m mad, want to take my 2 and 5 year old to the coast tomorrow. Is it just going to be too hot for them? I’m thinking while splashing around they might be ok with the sea breeze, but am I setting myself up for a fall?

If not any tips anyone?!

Go!

Bemused by people thinking they own their local beaches...Just because they're lucky enough to live near it.

Are children who live inland not allowed days out at the beach?

We're in Cornwall and the beaches you can drive to are busy, we walked for about am hour along a lovely coast path and because it was tricky to get to it wasn't crowded. Worth the walk if yours are good walkers. We were pretty weighed down with water though!

I live near Frinton on Sea and Walton on the Naze and on the off chance you're thinking of those I would avoid. Purely because they are a living nightmare to get out of in this kind of weather. I got caught for two hours for a 30 min journey once.

@Reluctantcavedweller

Bemused by people thinking they own their local beaches...Just because they're lucky enough to live near it.

Are children who live inland not allowed days out at the beach?

I haven't seen anyone saying that

People have suggested going but being savvy and avoiding the same 7 or 8 mentioned in the media.

They are busy and not enjoyable.

I recommended my local beach to people all the time. But you still get people who won't come because the only facilities are toilets! Oh and the ice cream man!

500m along on the next beach it's rammed. Because it has cafes, chippies, arcades, bars etc etc,

We’ve been going late afternoon - still very warm, a welcome relief with a little sea breeze, easier to park and to distance. Depends where you are in the country, because I appreciate it isn’t hot everywhere, but we were swimming in the sea yesterday at 7pm and it was still lovely.

@Reluctantcavedweller

Bemused by people thinking they own their local beaches...Just because they're lucky enough to live near it.

Are children who live inland not allowed days out at the beach?

It's not that - it's sitting in 2 hour tailbacks and then not being able to find somewhere to park when you arrive that posters are trying to put the OP through.

But by all means, if that's your idea of a fun toddler outing, go for it!

There are indeed plenty of beaches which aren't as crowded. If you tell us where you are @Imknackeredzzz - I'm sure some of us could suggest a few.

I'd also do what another poster suggested. Get going early and leave at lunchtime.

@shelley54 I live in Sussex and would never profess to own it! Appreciate frustration in finding crwods everywhere but kids need to have happy memories and a childhood so imo bring them to the less popular beaches is sussex, social distance, why would anyone have a problem with that? its at least 5 degrees cooler on the coast and if you check the tide times a lovely long paddle at knee or waist height is perfect for little kids, very welcome here, enjoy it!

I've taken DS (26 months) to the beach 4 times over the last couple of weeks! We're in Suffolk.

It's been lovely & relaxed. Take plenty of sun cream, water & snacks.

We go most days for an hour after work - they're quieter in the evenings or first thing in the morning. As someone said earlier, the beaches that you can drive to seem to be busier but if you go to one that you need to walk to, you can usually avoid the crowds and holiday makers. I'm in Devon - where are you OP and which beaches do you go to?

@Clymene. I've already been clear that we're staying safely at home, thanks! Sitting in a traffic jam for 2 hours then frying on the beach along with hundreds of others doesn't sound like fun. But each to their own and I hope the OP and her children have a great time....

[quote stovetopespresso]@shelley54 I live in Sussex and would never profess to own it! Appreciate frustration in finding crwods everywhere but kids need to have happy memories and a childhood so imo bring them to the less popular beaches is sussex, social distance, why would anyone have a problem with that? its at least 5 degrees cooler on the coast and if you check the tide times a lovely long paddle at knee or waist height is perfect for little kids, very welcome here, enjoy it![/quote]
I don't claim to own it. I've not been myself since before lockdown in March - it doesn't bother me who's there.

As PPs have said, it's the traffic that will wreck the day. It's difficult to park especially if you've got small kids and lots of stuff with you, and the beaches that are "known" are busy enough that someone who's been shielding for example probably wouldn't want to experience.

But I never claimed I owned it, that's your made up story. Go there. Fill your boots. Enjoy.

Well We did it, we’ve just got back from Little Hampton and it was utterly fabulous. Easy parking, hot but lovely coastal breeze, Not overly busy either. Water was beautifully warm and the kids had a ball :)

Thanks all for your thoughts and advise

We live 30 mins from the beach..prefer to go down in the evening when all the day trippers have gone...spend the evening in the water..bliss

So glad you had a good time

Fab!

Glad you had fun, OP!

I live in Devon on the border with Cornwall. We always go late afternoon evening to avoid the crowds. My brother with pre-schoolers always goes 8.00 for the same reason. 3-4 hours is enough for us anyway. I’ve never owned a wind break or a beach tent and my kids now 12 and 9 have never been sunburnt. Photo is near Bude on Sunday. Really crowded 😆

I live near a beach. The parking is pretty bad due to the amount of people coming, but the beaches themselves aren't too full. The harbour and the kiosks/amusement arcades area etc on the other hand are absolutely packed and there's no social distancing at all. Seaside towns need tourists to survive, but please be safe, keep your distance and take your rubbish home or put it in a bin. The amount of drink cans, plastic bottles etc left on the beach is awful.