oh i do like to be beside the seaside. But where?

[rocketupbum]

Hoping to try and have a beach day with kids this week. We live in south manchester and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a beach reasonably close with sand, ice cream and obviously a boiling hot day!
Thanks ladies

Crosby in Liverpool is a nice beach but go when the tide is out. All the Anthony Gormley statues are there too which is fun.

Failing that, Llandudno not too far away frmo you.