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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Recommended a UK South Coast resort please.

26 replies

JamB4cream · 16/05/2019 13:36

I'm thinking of traveling with Dd (15) from Yorkshire to the South Coast for a weeks summer break.

Which resort are easier to get around without a car? And what places have the most to offer?

I thought of Brighton, but is it a bit too brash and busy?

We both quiet like twee and cute, but also need enough life to keep us interested. We love harbours, rock pools, beaches, walks Dd would like to try surfing.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
RubberTreePlant · 16/05/2019 13:39

Maybe Padstow?

Certainly not Brighton.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 16/05/2019 13:39

Sidmouth in Devon.

Brighton is anything but quiet and you will feel you need a car.

Sidmouth is a great little town, lovely sandy beach, gorgeous Regency architecture, has a cinema, theatre, swimming pool, museums, formal gardens - all that sort of thing.

RubberTreePlant · 16/05/2019 13:42

Sidmouth has a pebble beach @bibbitybobbityyhat

Are you thinking of somewhere else?

Original poster
JamB4cream · 16/05/2019 14:39

Sidmouth looks great, but Google says the last train left in 1967😂

Padstow always seems to be shown as a pricey, foody, honeytrap, dd is not in anyway into food so it might be lost on her!

OP posts:
jinju · 16/05/2019 14:45

Weymouth has all the things you're looking for.

RubberTreePlant · 16/05/2019 14:47

Oh yes Weymouth is a good call.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 16/05/2019 15:41

I've been to Sidmouth lots of times. Had some brilliant holidays there, have friends who live there, have other friends who have a holiday house there. I've probably been 10 times. There's loads of sandy stretches on the beach. Plus rockpools.

Ricekrispie22 · 16/05/2019 17:49

Looe.
East Looe is the main tourism centre - narrow streets lined with shops, cafes and pubs that lead through to the main town beach. West Looe is a good beach for exploring with lots of rock pools and a good view across to St George's, or Looe Island. There are boat trips to the island in the summer season, as well as along the coast. A train journey on the Looe Valley Line will take you to the ancient stone circle at Duloe and the holy well at St Keyne.

imsorryiasked · 16/05/2019 17:52

Rye?

ChippyMinton · 16/05/2019 17:56

Falmouth (Several parents of teens have recommended it, it’s on my list to try)

ExpletiveDelighted · 16/05/2019 18:05

Isle of Wight - train to Portsmouth, straight onto a ferry, either stay in Ryde at the other end (sandy beaches, nice seaside town or train/bus to other resorts). Portsmouth has lots to see too.

CherryPavlova · 16/05/2019 18:14

Isle of Wight.
Broadstairs

DefConOne · 16/05/2019 19:30

Not much surf on the South Coast. Bantham in Devon is a surf beach but not sure about public transport. St Ives in Cornwall would be good but is that too far to travel?

CherryPavlova · 16/05/2019 22:44

Surfing on island.

Onthebrink87 · 16/05/2019 23:18

Looe in Cornwall is lovely

Mumof1andacat · 16/05/2019 23:25

Weymouth, Bournemouth but train station is some distance from the beach front. Poole is nice dowwn by the quay

LittleAndOften · 16/05/2019 23:28

Swanage is wonderful. Its a fun family town with a full size steam railway. There's a town beach then 5 mins away you have Studland for unspoilt, natural beach. Around the other side is Lulworth cove and Durdle Door. A short ferry ride over to Poole/Bournemouth and you have endless stretches of sandy beach and city amenities. You're also very close to the New Forest.

BreakfastAtLitanies · 16/05/2019 23:39

Bournemouth is good - as PP says it's about 15 mins from the beach front but there are buses that go directly from outside the station to the seaside so not a problem really.

Weymouth is also lovely!

The39Steps · 16/05/2019 23:44

Broadstairs is just over an hour from London and less than 10 minutes from the station to the beach. Lots of quaint stuff (Dickens, tiny streets etc), lovely sandy beaches and lots of rock pools. There's a surf school on the main beach plus paddle boarding, kayak hire etc.

You can walk along the beach to the harbour at Ramsgate at low tide and then walk back along the cliff top or get a bus. Oh and there's an open top bus in summer that goes along the coast.

Proper British seaside with proper sandy beaches :)

lauryloo · 16/05/2019 23:49

We stayed in Weymouth last summer and it was lovely

The39Steps · 16/05/2019 23:52

Sorry 10 minutes max on foot. And it's downhill :)

beethebee · 17/05/2019 00:40

We had a great time in Swanage staying in one of those little camping/glamping pod things. We did lots of the things you mentioned and 3 years later the kids still ask to go back

LikeDolphinsCanSwin · 17/05/2019 00:56

Sidmouth doesn't have surf, and tbh I think a 15-yr-old will run out of things to do there for a week.

How about North Devon? It's the best place for surfing (sorry Cornwall!) and has awesome, huge sandy beaches. Woolacombe is lovely and a great place to stay. You can use the south-west coast path to walk to Croyde and Saunton; or the bus if you don't want to walk. And bus to Ilfracombe and Braunton. All these places are well worth a visit.

The whole area is lovely and you won't run out of things to do for a week.

LittleAndOften · 17/05/2019 16:58

The South Coast may be too calm for surfing (although I have friends who still go in winter, and kite surfing is v big). However it's fantastic for paddle boarding and sea kayaking if dd might be interested in that? Most resorts have hire facilities now.

Yogagirl123 · 17/05/2019 17:02

Lots to do in Brighton and other places that are close by. You could certainly fill a week.