Britain has a long and varied coastline that can make a great place for a short break. It does not matter if you are looking to spend the weekend sunbathing near the sea or prefer bracing walks around the rugged cliffs, the British coast has something to offer everyone.
Coastal Scenery
Many areas of the coast offer stunning scenery, with many places have spectacular cliffs. The most famous of these are the White Cliffs of Dover, which at 100 meters high are visible from France. These stunning chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint are crumbling, so visitors should not get too close to the edge.
Other areas of the country, particular North Yorkshire, North Wales and the South West have also got stunning seaside cliffs. These areas are popular with walkers, cyclists and photographers.
Great Beaches
Other areas of the coast have some great beaches that are great for kids to play or just to relax and soak up the sun. The Victorians made many of the best beaches into the seaside resorts that have been popular for generations. Many of these towns are now faded from their glory days, but offer plenty of small hotels which often do not need booking in advance.
Resorts such as Blackpool, Scarborough, Bournemouth and Brighton have been attracting visitors for years and are fantastic destinations for short breaks. With great beaches and plenty of other activities for rainy days, these resorts are popular for short breaks and longer holiday alike.
Historic Sites
Like many island nations, Britain has a history of naval adventure and the coastlines are dotted with historic ruins. Great castles are scattered around the coastline, along with historic ports and other old ruins. History buffs will really enjoy spending time exploring places that step straight out of the pages of the history books.
Whitby on the Yorkshire coast has an historic Abbey and harbor and is also the setting for part of the famous Dracula story. Other great historic sites include Conway on the coast of North Wales. Even cities like Bristol and Liverpool offer sites from the golden age of the British Empire and newer attractions within easy reach of the seaside.
Whatever you enjoy, the 5,000 miles of British coastline can be a great place to take a short break. With plenty of activities and places to see, even in the depths of the British winter the coast is a great destination.
