Far-flung holidays will always have their appeal, but some of the best beaches can be found here in the UK. British seaside towns have been popular holiday destinations for centuries, but they’re currently seeing a surge in popularity again; perhaps most famously with Margate, the classic Kent beach town that’s now a hipster hotspot. We visited Margate – along with two other seaside spots to visit this summer – to find out the best places to stay, eat and explore… Margate, Kent Where to stay in Margate Ballarat House is a grand town house that sleeps 10 and is perfect for a weekend with friends (or you could rent the two-bedroom lower ground floor apartment for a family break). The house is boldly decorated and uber luxe, and is a stone’s throw from the beach. It has everything you need within a very short stumbling distance – namely great coffee shops (try Forts Café), brunch places (Daisy for feta and avocado waffles or huevos rancheros) and bars (Margate Off Licence – a hipster cocktail bar, rather than an actual booze-buying store).
Enjoy the colourful, quirky interiors staying at Ballarat House
(Image: REBECCA DOUGLAS)
What to do in Margate For the grown-ups, Margate is largely about art, it being the hometown of Tracey Emin (who we actually spotted) and the Turner Contemporary gallery – look out for the Antony Gormley sculpture of a man looking out to sea. There are galleries galore, though, including the Carl Freedman Gallery and the new Margo In Margate opening this month (currently she is Margo in Ramsgate). Art aside, swim in the UK’s biggest tidal pool then warm up in the free beach sauna, and trawl the numerous – and excellent – vintage and bric-a-brac stores. For kids, the huge sandy beaches are glorious for castle building and ball games, and, of course, the iconic and lovingly restored art deco-fronted Dreamland fair – host of many gigs and events over the summer months – is a must-do.
Visiting Deamland is a must
(Image: Dreamland Margate)
What to eat in Margate The Old Kent Market is a food hall in an old cinema with everything from a Greek kitchen to the smallest, cutest pub ever. For a buzzy vibe and insanely good cheese toasties, try The Greedy Cow in the heart of the old town, while for seafood, book a sought-after table at Dory’s, where the menu includes anything from cured trout to crab tart, depending on the catch of the day. Margate can very possibly lay claim to the best sunsets in Britain and you’ll be perfectly placed to watch one with a cocktail at the seafront roof bar of No.42 by GuestHouse, or at its Pearly Cow Oyster Bar on the ground floor.
The Old Kent Market food hall
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Catch the sunsets at the Pearly Cow
(Image: Pearly Cow Oyster Bar Margate)
How to book Rooms at Ballarat House start from £300 a night. Book through the Ballarat House website or booking sites such as Airbnb. Weymouth, Dorset Where to stay in Weymouth Waterside’s Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa is the ideal base for a trip to Weymouth – it’s a leisurely walk along the seafront to the town centre (but there are regular buses if you’d prefer). The Superior holiday home that we stayed in (you can choose between two or three bedrooms) had a private veranda, free Wi-Fi, a smart TV, an L-shaped sofa and all the fixtures and fittings that you’d expect for a relaxing break. The units are incredibly stylish and comfortable and the park itself is warm and welcoming.
The Superior holiday homes are spacious and comfortable
(Image: Neil Holmes)
What to do in Weymouth There are plenty of opportunities to be entertained at the holiday park, including the luxurious spa, dinner at the buzzing Southside Bar And Grill and the nightly programme of live acts, known as the Main Event. But venture into Weymouth centre and there’s a range of delights on offer, from yoga on the beach at 8am on a Sunday to heritage and mural walking trails. Plus, the nearby Lodmoor Country Park is a family-friendly destination where you can stroll around the nature reserve and enjoy a picnic. Yet, the primary reason why so many people flock to Weymouth all year round is the miles of breathtaking beaches along the spectacular Jurassic Coast, which is a joy to explore.
Explore Weymouth’s beautiful beaches
(Image: Getty Images)
What to eat in Weymouth If you want a picturesque location serving delicious food, look no further than The Ship Inn on Custom House Quay. Overlooking the harbour and bridge, window seats on the first floor provide an outstanding view of this idyllic setting. We had a Sunday roast and fish and chips, which were both absolutely delicious and presented with care. And the staff are that perfect combination of professional and friendly. If you’d rather have a takeaway – and take your chances with the swooping seagulls – Bennett’s Fish And Chips on the opposite side of the harbour is also a real treat. Serving classic dishes (with the option to dine in), Bennett’s clearly strives to get every little detail just right.
Enjoy the views at The Ship Inn
(Image: The Ship Weymouth)
Don’t miss out on classic fish and chips from Bennett’s
(Image: Bennett’s Fish And Chips)
How to book Stays at Waterside’s Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa cost from £399 for a four-night midweek break in a Classic holiday home. Book through the Waterside website. Laugharne, Wales Where to stay in Laugharne Above the stunning River Taf estuary in South Wales sits the newly renovated Dylan Coastal Resort. Choose from two- or three-bedroom, five-star self-catering lodges – some have hot tubs and some are dog friendly. We stayed in a three-bed called Sonnet, which gives off beach hut vibes with its white, blue and grey contemporary décor. An open-plan kitchen and living area, outdoor terrace and a huge hot tub makes it perfect for a girlie getaway. For a spectacular view of the estuary in full, opt for a lodge with a rooftop terrace. The resort’s concierge offers free lifts from the lodges to the resort’s spa and restaurant at Milk Wood House.
Enjoy stunning views from Dylan Coastal Resort
(Image: Dylan Coastal Resort)
What to do in Laugharne The indoor and outdoor pools at the spa offer the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen in the UK. Indulge in the wide range of treatments from organic, seaweed-based brand Ishga – we picked a 120-minute Top To Toe treatment, which includes a full body massage and a facial tailored to your needs. Guests have free access to the spa’s facilities, which also include a mezzanine relaxation zone, a sauna and a steam room – all overlooking the same incredible view.
The views from the Milk Wood Spa
(Image: © Ryan Wicks 2020)
If you’re visiting in spring, an annual literary and arts festival is held in the tiny town of Laugharne (a 10-minute walk from the lodges), where you can rub shoulders with the artists and performers in the local pubs, including Brown’s, where poet Dylan Thomas used to drink. You’re likely to bump into I’m A Celeb star and Welsh singer Cerys Matthews and Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield, who regularly attend and perform at the festival. What to eat in Laugharne Also a short walk away is the gorgeous Milk Wood Bar & Kitchen (or get a free lift from the lodges). Three separate terraces offer magnificent views over the estuary and the Gower Peninsula beyond. Pop in for a long lunch (after a treatment in the spa downstairs) and enjoy light bites or traditional mains such as fish and chips. In the evening, we enjoyed ham croquettes with mustard dressing to start, Welsh ribeye for our main meals and sticky toffee pudding to finish, all served in front of excellent live musicians who regularly entertain the guests.
The croquettes were a highlight
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
How to book Lodges at Dylan Coastal Resort start from £389 per week. Book via Luxury Lodges Collection. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
