Nine beaches to visit this summer

From pleasure beaches to secluded seaside spots to walk the dog this summer, we round up the best places to dip a toe in the sea a stone’s throw from Bristol:

Porthgwidden
Located between St Ives’ pretty harbour and Porthmeor beach, sandy Porthgwidden is sheltered, cosy and perfect for swimming and rock-pooling. It has a calmer sea than Porthmeor, but more powerful waves – so surf’s up. With a cafe, disabled access, beach hut hire and located just a short walk to the town centre, this Cornish gem has everything you need for a memorable getaway.
Porthmeor Road, Saint Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1NR

Chesil Cove
The cove is the southernmost point of the 29km-long shingle-covered Chesil Beach. Due to its shallow waters that are scarcely bothered by a tidal current, it’s popular with sea anglers and an ideal spot for fishing and fossil-hunting. Chesil Cove also caters to scuba divers, particularly those who are relative beginners, who can spend a day diving its fascinating shipwrecks. With a cafe, restaurant and pub nearby, and Weymouth only a short drive away, there’s fun to be had by all.
Portland Beach Road, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1AR

Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea’s main beach is sandy and filled with activities: the site is wonderful for swimming with a separate area for boats and jet-skis, plus there are donkey rides and entertainment for children on the pier taking place throughout the summer. The town is full of shops, cafes, pubs and ice-cream parlours, and if the seafront parking is full, it’s served by rail from Bristol.
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1BG

Fisherman’s Walk
This sand and shingle beach lies between Southbourne and Boscombe. A worthy winner of a Blue Flag Award for its environmental and quality standards, it caters to all. There’s a variety of water sports available including kayaking, windsurfing and water skiing, plus it’s a prime fishing location and offers swimming and bathing all day long. The beach is dog friendly, has disabled access, and has beach huts and deckchairs for hire so it really is a perfect break for everyone.
Fisherman’s Walk, Bournemouth, BH6 3SQ

Brean
Two miles from Weston-super-Mare, Brean beach is one of the longest stretches of sand in Europe, with vast mud flats visible at low tide. The beach is perfect for sports like kite surfing and sailing, and the 97 metre-high Brean Down is ideal for climbers who love a scenic view. The archaeological sites on the headland also provide a haven for historians if sunbathing isn’t your thing.
Brean Down Rd, Brean, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2RS

Kilve
Kilve’s rocky shoreline lies in the heart of the Quantocks, and has plenty of rockpools to explore. With cliffs formed from oil-shale and lias, this dog-friendly area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The large grassland behind the beach is perfect for picnics, and historic harbour town of Watchet is just 20 minutes away.
Kilve Beach, Bridgewater TA5 1EG

Whitmore Bay
Better known as Barry Island, the bay is home to an immensely popular family-friendly beach that is mostly fine sand and is backed by a promenade full of cafes, shops and a fairground. Swimming in the bay is always enjoyable, as is poking your head through cardboard cutouts of the cast of Gavin and Stacey. With easy parking access and Barry Island railway station an easy hop from Cardiff and a five-minute walk from the beach at the other end, getting there couldn’t be simpler.
Barry Island, Barry, CF62 5TH

Trecco Bay
With five-star water quality and a Blue Flag Award under its belt, Porthcawl’s Trecco Bay is not to be underestimated. Twenty miles from Swansea, this sand and rock beach is constantly teeming with holiday-makers. The caravan park on site makes a weekend stay a doddle, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities to try including crazy golf.
Trecco Bay, Porthcawl, CF36 5BA

Castle Beach 
As another Blue Flag winner with five-star water quality, Castle Beach in Pembrokeshire is an ideal hotspot for friends, families and dog-owners alike. The crisp water is wonderful for swimming and surfing – kept safe with a lifeguard service – and there’s disabled access all round. Plus, the town centre of Tenby with its pretty pastel homes, tidal marina and lifeboat station is only a short stroll away, and you can take a ferry from the beach over to the fascinating island of Caldey with its population of monks.
Castle Beach, Bridge Street, Tenby, SA70 7BP