Whether you’re staycationing or day tripping this summer, some of the world’s best beaches are right on your doorstep. From surfing hotspots to hideaway coves, perfectly preened or pleasingly rugged, the UK has the variety to satisfy every conceivable beach bum – and the cruise to the coastline is all part of the pleasure.
Here are five of the best UK beaches to drive to, picked out by the Windrush classic car storage team.
Southbourne, Dorset
Deservedly topping The Guardian’s countdown of UK swimming beaches, you’ll struggle to find clearer water or more postcard-perfect golden sands than Southbourne. Just as important, this beach doesn’t get as swamped as Bournemouth’s rival beauty spots, making you more likely to secure a free parking space. Swim hard, towel off, then grab a Neapolitan pizza from Baffi and settle back in the burnished glow as the sun starts its lazy descent.
Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire, Wales
A dead-flat seven-mile stretch running from Gilman Point to Laugharne Sands, it’s easy to see why Pendine hosted car and bike races in the early twentieth century. The racing scene has long since wound down – although actor Idris Elba broke a Flying Mile record here in 2015 – but Pendine’s ancient sand dunes and unbroken horizon still make this beach a must.
St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Rising up from the sea like some lost citadel in a fantasy film, the tidal island of St Michael’s Mount is never forgotten. Gawp from the shore if you’re short on time, but the real experience is walking across the causeway of granite setts to visit the historic castle and gardens. Generous car parking is provided, but remember to time your visit carefully, as the path is swallowed up at high tide.
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Described by Time Out as “the south coast’s most Arabian-looking beach destination”, walking amongst Camber Sands’ network of dunes and swaying marram grasses is an otherworldly experience (hence its popularity amongst movie shoot location scouts). Following your stroll, order a coffee at the Kit Kat Café and watch the local kitesurfers skitter across the sands.
Wells Beach, Norfolk
A short hop from the harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea, this unspoilt stretch is regularly touted amongst the east coast’s finest beaches. Park up, crest the dunes and you’ll see why Wells is a local hero: the powdery sand between your toes is an instant stress-buster while the time capsule vibe is completed by the quaintly painted beach huts. Best of all, you can bring your dog.
When the sun goes down, choose Windrush classic car storage
Life’s a beach, but when summer’s over, remember the importance of storing your cherished vehicle correctly through autumn and winter. Windrush offers the ultimate long term car storage solution. At our state-of-the-art facilities in London and the Cotswolds, we go further than our competitors with minute attention to detail and luxury car storage tailored to your individual vehicle.
Welcoming you with our acclaimed twelve-step induction process and fine-tuning our maintenance programme throughout the length of your stay, Windrush’s classic car storage philosophy is always built around you. You won’t find a finer long term car storage solution.
