Other places like Southwold, St Ives and Ventnor.

[MissMightyMouse]

I’m a single Mum looking for a UK holiday destination for me, my 2 young children aged 5 and 7, and possibly my 70 year old Dad.

We live in London and don’t drive so will be getting a train. We like going to a self catering property with lots of local dining options, normally for lunch. We like a sandy beach. We’d prefer to go to a small town that we can happily stay in for a week without having to venture further afield. We have previously enjoyed Southwold, St Ives and Ventnor. Bonus points if it has a similar vibe to those places!

Can anyone suggest a new destination please? Thanks.

Swanage (but you'd probably have to get a bus from Wareham station, as I don't think the rail connection to Swanage is up and running currently. It's not a long bus ride though.).

Thanks. Bus is fine. That’s the same case with Southwold and Ventor.

Please can you tell me more about Swanage? What’s it like?

Looe, Cornwall
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Tenby, Wales
Littlehampton, West Sussex

I especially like Looe and Whitby.

Broadstairs?

Oh yes, Tenby! South beach is wonderful. Super little town. Take a boat to Caldey island.

Or how about Sheringham (which also has North Norfolk steam railway which is lovely) or nearby Cromer? Sandy beaches in both places.

Or good old Blackpool!

Weymouth?

We've had good family holidays in Swanage. Sandy beach in the town centre, plenty of cafes/restaurants, amusement arcade, pier. Plus there's a bus to nearby Studland with lovely National Trust beach, tourist/steam train to Corfe Castle, Durlston Country Park.

Tenby
Lyme Regis (bus from Axminster station)
Broadstairs

Second Broadstairs

Hythe and Dymchurch?

OP if you want a St Ives / Southwold type vibe, definitley don't go to Blackpool

Wells-next-the-Sea? Very quaint seaside town with a caravan park on the beach and a narrow gauge railway that links the beach to the town. It has a couple of decent fish and chip shops, a quay the kids can go crabbing from and some shops. There are several other lovely beaches along that bit of coast line reachable by the Coastliner bus service.

Whitstable. There is a beautiful, long sandy beach at Tankerton on the edge of Whitstable, plenty of self catering places and lovely restaurants in the town. It's quite smart too without being pretentious. I live in SE London, bordering Bromley and it really isn't very far.

North Norfolk is gorgeous but difficult without a car.

I have never visited Filey in Yorkshire and often look at pictures of that, fancying a visit. It seems to have everything a family would want for a holiday. It would mean a long train journey for me (and you) though.

I love southwold, it’s very different from Blackpool though

VinoOlive's description of Swanage is spot on, and the bus to Corfe Castle goes onwards to Lulworth Cove/Durdle Door too if you fancy a change of scene. Or, in the other direction, to Poole if you're unlucky with the weather and need indoor stuff to do. (If it's open...)

SWANAGE, without a doubt. I went once after asking a similar question on someone's advice. With 2 year old and 7 year old and grandparent.
In the summer, from May to September on Saturdays, National Express coach goes from Victoria coach station to Swanage.Easy.
Apart from lovely beach there is lots to do with children. Train ride to corfe castle, crab fishing, boat rides and I must. not forget the Punch and Judy.
Shops handy. We ended up going for the next five years!

Would love to go again

Forgot to say, don't leave it till last . minute to book National Express asit does go to Bournemouth first, where most folks get off.(Hope the virus has not upset coaches?)
Also,if you can afford to, book a beach hut before you go through tourist office as this does save carrying stuff around, especially if you are up the hill.
There is a Youth Hostel there (up the hill)

Hahaha, sorry I forgot what the question was specifically. I was thinking places I like by the sea that have nice beaches. (I always had a fab time in Blackpool as a kid!)

Bournemouth isn’t anything like Southwold. I know both really well.