• Blog Home
  • Premier Cottages Home Page
  • About
  • Sign Up for News

Premier Cottages logo

  • Local GuidesVisitor Information
    • NorthNorthern England & Scotland
      • Cheshire
      • Cumbria
      • Derbyshire
      • Durham
      • Lake District
      • Lancashire
      • Northumberland
      • Peak District
      • Scotland
      • Straffordshire
      • Yorkshire
      • Greater Manchester
    • SouthSouthern England & Channel Islands
      • Cornwall
      • Devon
      • Dorset
      • Isle of White
      • Somerset
      • Hampshire
      • Wiltshire
      • Kent
      • Surrey
      • Sussex
      • Cotswolds
    • EastEastern England
      • Norfolk
      • Suffolk
      • Lincolnshire
      • Northamptonshire
      • Cambridgeshire
    • WestWestern England, Wales & Ireland
      • Wales
        • Pembrokeshire
      • Herefordshire
      • Ireland
        • Pembrokeshire
      • Shropshire
  • Destination GuidesArea Information
    • NorthNorthern England & Scotland
      • Lake District
      • Cheshire
      • Cumbria
      • Derbyshire
      • Lancashire
      • Northumberland
      • Peak District
      • Scotland
      • Straffordshire
      • Yorkshire
      • Greater Manchester
      • Durham
    • SouthSouthern England & Channel Islands
      • Cornwall
      • Devon
      • Dorset
      • Isle of White
      • Somerset
      • Hampshire
      • Wiltshire
      • Kent
      • Surrey
      • Sussex
      • Gloucestershire
      • Cotswolds
    • EastEastern England
      • Norfolk
      • Suffolk
      • Lincolnshire
      • Northamptonshire
      • Cambridgeshire
    • WestWestern England, Wales & Ireland
      • Wales
        • Pembrokeshire
      • Ireland
        • Pembrokeshire
      • Herefordshire
      • Shropshire
  • ExperienceDiscover & Explore
    • Award Winning
    • Events
    • Family Days Out
    • Eating Out
  • CollectionsCottage Holidays
    • Accessible
    • Dog Friendly
    • Family Friendly
    • Groups
    • Just For Two
  • Visit PremierCottages.co.ukLuxury Self Catering Holiday Cottages
  1. Home
  2. Posts
  3. 2025
  4. May
  5. How to make the most of your UK coastal breaks this spring

How to Make the Most of Your UK Coastal Breaks This Spring

Newquay coastal holiday

Whether you’re fossil-hunting on the Jurassic coast or enjoying the tranquility of Norfolk’s golden sands before the summer holiday crowds arrive, late spring and early summer is an ideal time to enjoy the beauty of the UK coastline. Popular seaside resorts give a more intimate glimpse of their charms while wild remote shores abound with wildlife. From springtime events and free activities to enjoy at the seaside to what to pack for a family day at the beach, here’s how to make the most of your UK coastal breaks in the off-season:

Coastal holiday retreat with sea-view garden, hot tub and BBQ, nearby clifftop walks and local wildlife including seabirds.

Top: Ivy's View - Cornwall

 

Spring attractions and events by the sea

Thanks to the milder weather, spring and early summer is the perfect time to explore the UK’s many coastal paths on foot. Take in the stunning views as you put your best foot forward on popular routes such as the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, the South West Coast Path or the Cleveland Way.

This time of year is also a sweet spot for wildlife enthusiasts, so pack some binoculars as well as your walking boots. Atlantic puffins return to their coastal nesting sites in spring, and are easy to identify thanks to their colourful beaks. Look out too for guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. In the sea, seals, dolphins and occasionally even basking sharks move closer to shore in the warming waters of spring. Book a sea safari or wildlife cruise for a memorable experience.

This is also a great time to enjoy some watersports. Many watersport companies reopen their doors as the weather becomes more seasonable. Get on the water for a kayaking session or a surf lesson or try coasteering before the summer crowds mean these activities are fully booked.

There are also many UK coastal breaks for culture lovers, as tourist hot spots tempt early visitors with a plethora of entertainment. In Cornwall, the Minack Theatre lifts the curtain on a season of Shakespeare and musical entertainment with sea views. In Kent, the Turner Contemporary in Margate has kicked off its celebration of 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner, an artist famous for his stormy seascapes. Comedy lovers can enjoy a dose of stand-up at the Scarborough Fringe in June. Meanwhile, the Big Retreat Festival, held against the backdrop of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in late May, offers a chance for day visitors to relax, reflect and reboot with activities including yoga, meditation and fitness workshops.

Family beach holiday collage showing children playing in the sea, nautical interior décor, and a sea-view lounge.

Left: 2 Headland Place, West Wales - Ceredigion | Right: Sandpiper at Atlantic View - Pembrokeshire

 

Free fun at the beach

One of the best things about UK coastal breaks is all the free activities you can enjoy. Here are a few ideas to keep the whole family entertained all day…

  • Explore rock pools: When the tide goes out, discover an underwater world that’s teeming with wildlife. Be careful not to disturb any creatures you find.
  • Enjoy beach combing: Collect shells, sea glass, driftwood and stones, then using them to create unique portraits in the sand.
  • Visit the beach toy library: Lots of beaches now have a toy library, where visitors can borrow/leave buckets, spades and beach balls.
  • Play a beach game: One of the perks of UK coastal breaks in the off season is that you’ve got plenty of space to fly a kite, have a game of rounders or toss a frisbee around.
  • Build a sandcastle: Who can build the biggest, best sandcastle before the tide washes them all away?
  • Do a beach clean: Many beaches now offer grab sticks and bags so you can do your bit for the environment before you leave.

Charming family-friendly cottage with enclosed garden, colourful beach huts, and children playing with toys on the sand.

Top: The Lodge Cottage at Norfolk Coast Holiday Cottages - Norfolk

 

What to pack for the beach

The best UK coastal breaks are all about relaxing away from the crowds. But while it’s tempting to think that all you’ll need is some sunscreen and a good book, there are a few other pieces of kit that can make beach days more enjoyable:

  • A changing robe: If you’re brave enough to take a dip, a waterproof changing robe such as a Dryrobe takes the hassle out of removing wet swimwear on the beach. Plus it’s something to snuggle into if the sun goes behind a cloud.
  • A wetsuit: The UK waters are chilly in late spring/early summer. A wetsuit is a must for watersports.
  • A waterproof phone pouch: Sand is great between your toes, but it doesn’t belong in your iPhone.
  • A beach shelter: If you’re planning to spend a lot of time on the beach with young children, a lightweight beach shelter will provide them with a place to play that’s out of the sun.
  • A cool bag/box: To keep your picnic at the right temperature.
  • A beach wagon: Handy for families with lots to carry on beach days. Choose one with big wheels that won’t get stuck in sand.

Modern seaside holiday cottage with glass balcony, stylish interior, and a quiet beach scene featuring a 4x4 vehicle and walkers.

Top: Albatross at Norfolk Coast Holiday Cottages - Norfolk | Left: Orlando at Bulverton House - Devon

 

Book a stay at a coastal location

Whether you’re after stunning views of the Atlantic coastline, a surfers’ paradise in North Devon or the chance to get closer to nature in Northumberland, Premier Cottages offers a unique collection of luxury cottages within easy reach of the beach that make the perfect base for your UK coastal breaks.

Spring into Easter: Countryside Escapes with Animal EncountersYour Complete Multigenerational Holidays Guide
 
May 27, 2025
Links
  • Visit the Premier Cottages Website
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Youtube
Most Recent
Your Complete Multigenerational Holidays Guide
May 30, 2025
How to make the most of your UK coastal breaks this spring
May 27, 2025
Archives
Registered Office
Evans & Partners, 9 Bank Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8LS Reg. No: 5173245
Sponsored Charity
Premier Cottages Supporting MacMillan Cancer Support