Skip page header and navigation

Calling all island hoppers, beach lovers and adventure seekers! Britain has over 18,000 miles (30,000km) of coastline to explore: from idyllic soft sands and vibrant seaside resorts, to wild nature reserves filled with puffins, dolphins and adrenaline thrills. Wherever you’re heading, here’s where to splash, surf, scuba, swim – and perhaps even sunbathe – on Britain’s shores.

Top coast destinations to visit

All coast destinations

Britain’s Ocean City offers a seamless blend of maritime charm and natural beauty; a cultural hub filled with award-winning museums and waterfront attractions.

South West England

Jay Stone

Plymouth, England

People paddleboarding near a dock in Plymouth

A route to adventure, culture and wildlife hugging the shorelines of Wales.

North Wales

VisitBritain/Royce Mackin

Lighthouse on a prominent rocky outcrop

One epic road trip with hefty mountains, dazzling beaches and tranquil lochs.

Highland Scotland

VisitScotland

Peedie Sands, a hidden gem beach near the village of Dunnet in Caithness

A masterpiece in the making, filled with beaches, clifftops, cities and nature.

East England

South West Coast Path/Roy Curtis

A person on a footpath on the coastal path near sea

Welcome to dinosaur territory, with beaches and rocks strewn with ancient fossils and footprints.

South West England

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

People kayaking along the shores of coastline

The gateway into Scotland, the Borders and Lowlands pack the punch,

Lowland Scotland

VisitBritain/Simon Jarratt

Girls standing on the zipwire platform in the pine forest

Hugging the south-west, Devon is a playground for adventurers, explorers and foodie lovers.

South West England

Shutterstock / Hugh O'Connor

Devon, England

Idyllic Scene On Surfers Beach With Beautiful Beach Huts Reflecting In The Water

From ice-cream parlours to sea food festivals, the ‘Garden of England’ is meant for discovery.

South East England

VisitBritain/Dipyourtoesin

Kent

Man and woman walking between vines at a vineyard

Renowned for its glorious countryside, striking coastline and unique attractions.

South West England

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Surfer in a wetsuit surfing a large wave on a red surfboard

A land of mighty scenery and epic stories, this wild corner of Northern Ireland will steal your heart.

Northern Ireland

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Man and boy sitting on the red basalt columns

Jaw-dropping landscapes wrapped in tales of legends, the wild nature will stay with you forever.

Scottish Islands

VisitBritain/Dougie Cunningham

A group of deer near a lake, grazing grass

Located in the northern reaches of Scotland, the Highlands are about beauty and adventure.

Highland Scotland

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Highlands

Rear view of two men jumping with joy on a country road

From valleys, shorelines to towns, find North Wales packed with adventure.

North Wales

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Castle standing on a grassy hilltop. Blue skies and clouds

Things to do on the coast

Thrillseekers, you’ll love the 90-year-old wooden rollercoaster in this seaside theme park.

Get your tickets for Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

@gypbeach

View to a fairground ride at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Spot bottlenose dolphins in the summer at Aberdeen Beach.

Discover the beautiful sands of Aberdeen Beach

kerrphotos

Aberdeen, Scotland

View of Aberdeen Beach Front, blue skies
Aberdeen Beach

Get behind a steam engine at the world’s first preserved railway.

Go full steam ahead at Talyllyn Railway

Visit Wales

Train on Talyllyn Railway
Talyllyn Railway

Overlooking the golden sands of Bamburgh beach, this magnificent fortress is one of Britain’s biggest inhabited castles.

Get your tickets for Bamburgh Castle

VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach
Bamburgh Castle

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this Medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – both a joy to explore.

Book tickets to Conway Castle

VisitBritain/David Angel

North Wales

A castle lit up at night in winter snow near harbour
Conwy Castle, Conwy

Rock, pop, punk and rave you way through popular music history.

Discover the sounds of the British Music Experience

British Music Experience

Gentleman playing a guitar, wearing headphones in front of a play and white over-sixed image of a male guitarist at the British Music Experience, Mereyside. Bronze winner of the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022
British Music Experience

An island paradise, Tolsta Beach is great for surfing.

Hit the waves at Tolsta Beach

lisa_treanorx

Traigh Mhor Pony Trekking
Tolsta Beach

A history spanning 16 centuries, this iconic fortress exhibits tales from its Roman history to its role in the Second World War.

Visit Pevensey Castle

simon.tomlin

Pevensey Castle
Pevensey Castle

A three-day food takeover brining local delights, drink live music and entertainment to the coastline.

Discover the flavours of St Ives Food and Drink Festival

gemmak500

St Ives Food & Drink Festival
St Ives Food and Drink Festival

Thrillseekers, you’ll love the 90-year-old wooden rollercoaster in this seaside theme park.

Get your tickets for Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

@gypbeach

View to a fairground ride at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Spot bottlenose dolphins in the summer at Aberdeen Beach.

Discover the beautiful sands of Aberdeen Beach

kerrphotos

Aberdeen, Scotland

View of Aberdeen Beach Front, blue skies
Aberdeen Beach

Get behind a steam engine at the world’s first preserved railway.

Go full steam ahead at Talyllyn Railway

Visit Wales

Train on Talyllyn Railway
Talyllyn Railway

Overlooking the golden sands of Bamburgh beach, this magnificent fortress is one of Britain’s biggest inhabited castles.

Get your tickets for Bamburgh Castle

VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach
Bamburgh Castle

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this Medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – both a joy to explore.

Book tickets to Conway Castle

VisitBritain/David Angel

North Wales

A castle lit up at night in winter snow near harbour
Conwy Castle, Conwy

Rock, pop, punk and rave you way through popular music history.

Discover the sounds of the British Music Experience

British Music Experience

Gentleman playing a guitar, wearing headphones in front of a play and white over-sixed image of a male guitarist at the British Music Experience, Mereyside. Bronze winner of the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022
British Music Experience

An island paradise, Tolsta Beach is great for surfing.

Hit the waves at Tolsta Beach

lisa_treanorx

Traigh Mhor Pony Trekking
Tolsta Beach

A history spanning 16 centuries, this iconic fortress exhibits tales from its Roman history to its role in the Second World War.

Visit Pevensey Castle

simon.tomlin

Pevensey Castle
Pevensey Castle

A three-day food takeover brining local delights, drink live music and entertainment to the coastline.

Discover the flavours of St Ives Food and Drink Festival

gemmak500

St Ives Food & Drink Festival
St Ives Food and Drink Festival

Follow us on Instagram

Follow VisitBritain
StoryStream social media feed

Still not sure where to go?

Fancy dancing ’til dawn at a festival, exploring our mighty national parks, or getting out and about on two wheels? Britain’s rural regions are ripe for adventure…