Which seaside beach in the East of England

[Octavia09]

Hello! Can anybody advise me a nice seaside place somewhere not too far from Cambridge. So it would take like 1.30 min to get there or 2 hours maximum. It should be childfriendly, nice view, easy access to the toilets

Many thanks!

Hunstanton would fit the bill.

has all the usual seaside stuff like a sealife centre, crazy golf, donkey rides etc.

Cromer? There is a lovely campsite there as well if you're planning a night away, only a short walk to a quiet beach.

Brancaster is lovely. Took us under 2hrs from Newmarket. Very quiet, sandy, only one shop and there is a car park and loos.

Wells is only 5mins up the road by car, so we went there afterwards for fish and chips.

Both are on the North Norfolk coast

Oh, thanks; will check these places. We are planning to go just for a day with our tent
How about Frinton-on-Sea? Has anyone been there?

holkham, by far the best beach imo from cambridge. not much activty but parking, toliets and wonderful sand.... also great for kite flying if you like it.

I once heard a place in Norfolk Wells-Next-the-Sea; is a good one? Someone mentioned to me there is a beach with railway for children.

Holkham beach is gorgeous (as is the hall) Wells is lovely, has a harbour right in the town, beach is about .5 miles drive from the town, has a shop, crazy gold, paddle boats and trampolining.

frinton is fab

Wells is 5 mins from Brancaster. It can get busy though (especially on weekends/holidays) Brancaster tends to be quieter but there is nothing else to do iyswim?

I think most of us agree on the north Norfolk coast though

winterton is lovely

Southwold.

Southwold

Gordon Brown went on holiday to Southwold.

Sheringham is nice, but I agree that Wells is very nice too, and Walton-on-the-naze

I live in north norfolk and although Holkham is lovely it is difficult with young kids - long way to the loos and a long walk to the sea, usually. Sheringham/Cromer are near amenities but not great sand. Southwold is OK but a bit pretentious and the beach disappears. The best beach for anyone "in the know" is actually Sea Palling - easy parking (loads of it), icecreams, brand new loos with heated floors, no less and shallow sandy beach backed by dunes. Fab play area opposite parking area.

Frinton is lovely but nowhere to camp, its got lovely safe beaches though. Aldeburgh is fab and has a good campsite.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
Yesterday we went to the Frinton-On-Sea. It took as approximately 1.40 min. Just arrived after 2pm. The twon is gorgeous, really beautiful and the houses by the costline are very posh. The beach is sandy and shallow, very good for kids. There are toilets nearby. It was a problem with parking for about 15 min but then people come and go, so we were lucky to park next to the golf club. The water was very warm. It was fab and I want there again.

The Golf club end is my favourite bit. But the nicer toilets are up the other end unfortunately. Was it high tide when you got there?

My bonkers Mum was there at 7am for low tide!!

The sea was becoming a bit rough, just a bit; lots of kids were in water. My younger was a bit afraid because of the waves. Many kids were on their own in the sea. Surpisingly the parents let them go on their own at all and especialy when the water was not still.

You mum was a clever one I wanted to come early but my husband wanted to stay in bed for half a day

sea palling sounds great isthat.. - where exactly is it pls?

Sheringham is lovely sand imo, but you need to get the tides right - onlky stones when the tide is in. I like it because the sand is wet twice a day every day, so is good to make sandcastles with - it sticks together, rather than some beaches where the sand is so dry it is lovely to sit on, but no good to build with.

For the next beach trip, try Felixstowe Ferry from Cambridge - striaght down the A14. It's just along from Felixstowe and is a really lovely beach with dunes and a fresh fish shack and a 'fat-face' style fish and chip cafe. Also, Languard Fort at Felixstowe is great for kids.

I love Cromer, but DH prefers Sheringham.

Lowestoft has lovely huge sandy beaches.