WHEN it comes to heading to the beach, you’re likely to head to the coast.
But there are some ‘beach‘ spots that are actually nowhere near the coastline, yet they still have sandy shorelines and bright blue waters – here are five of the best.
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Cotswold Country Beach is the UK’s largest inland beach Credit: Alamy
Rutland Water has 140 metres of sandy shoreline Credit: Alamy
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Cotswold Country Park and Beach
You’ll find the UK’s largest inland beach in Cirencester.
Called Cotswold Country Park and Beach, here you can try out all sorts of watersport activities, have a sunbathe on the sand, and have a picnic.
On the water, visitors can go swimming, head out on pedalo swans, rent kayaks, mini-boats, rowing boats or stand-up paddleboards.
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There’s a Beach Shack nearby, serving light bites, and an Ice Cream Hut just behind the beach too, for a cool treat on a hot day.
Behind the South Lake are grilling areas that can be rented out for barbecues.
The lake is also home to AquaVenture – a giant inflatable with climbing walls, slides and airbags.
Unlike most beaches, Cotswold Country Park and Beach has a pirate 9-hole mini golf course.
Entry starts from £3.50 per person.
Rutland Water
There’s so much to do on the Rutland Water, including hanging at its sandy beach, which is also the first inland bathing water spot in England to get a Seaside Award.
Rutland Water has 140 metres of sandy shoreline with plenty of room for swimming and sunbathing.
It’s open during the summer months and the website warns that it gets very busy during the warm weather.
The beach at Syke’s Lane was the first inland bathing water location in England to be awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award in 2024.
This is given for places with excellent water quality, biodiversity and green space for the community.
Aside from the beach, it has a mini golf course, children’s adventure playground and an off-lead dog walking area.
Rutland Water Beach itself is free to enter, but additional activities such as the Aqua Park inflatable course, mini-golf, and watersports requires paid-for tickets.
If you actually want to see the coastline, check out our favourite seaside towns…
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Sidmouth, DevonTake a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
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Whitby, North YorkshireWith a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
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Old Hunstanton, NorfolkThis town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
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Seahouses, NorthumberlandThis is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
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Loch Morlich is surrounded by pint forests and mountains Credit: Alamy
Loch Morlich
In the heart of Glenmore Forest Park is Loch Morlich Beach.
The sandy spot is hidden amongst the Cairngorms National Park, so it has incredible views of the mountains and pine forests.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor that it’s a “stunning loch with beautiful views” and another added that it has “crystal clear waters”.
The beach is open to the public year-round and is popular for wild swimming and cold water dips.
Visitors can have a go at watersports too, like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing and katakanu (which consists of two canoes attached together).
Access to the beach is free.
Gaddings Dam
This pretty swim spot in West Yorkshire is “England’s highest beach” – it’s 1,150 feet above sea level on the moorlands above Todmorden.
Gaddings Dam is a remote, Victorian-era earth embankment reservoir located on the moors above Todmorden.
It wasn’t always so well-known and Master Manchester said it was “a well-kept secret for both locals and visitors alike for many years.”
They added: “The dam boasts breathtaking views, excellent hiking paths, a sandy beach perfect for lounging, and one of the top wild swimming areas in the county.”
It’s even been described by visitors as a “wild swimmer’s paradise”.
For those wanting to visit, be aware that it is an unstaffed spot and is accessible only via a steep 20–30 minute hike.
St Andrews Lakes in Kent is on the site of a former quarry Credit: http://www.standrewslakes.co.uk
St Andrews Lakes, Kent
Just outside of Rochester, St Andrews Lakes has two beaches; ‘Carp’ and ‘Coots’.
Its beach has stunningly blue waters, sun loungers on the shore, free parking, and lifeguards are on duty too.
Aside from its pretty beaches, it has huge range of activities are on offer – from sailing, paddleboarding and an aqua park to zip wires, archery and climbing walls.
There’s even a Nordic-inspired wellness centre with a lakeside hot tub, detox in a wood-fired sauna, and refresh with a plunge in the natural lagoon.
Entry starts from £7.50 per person.
For more on water attractions, here are five new ones set to come to the UK with surfing lagoons and wellness centres.
And here are all of the waterparks in the UK mapped with lazy rivers and wave pools.
Gaddings Dam is considered ‘England’s highest beach’ Credit: Alamy
