The best UK beaches you can reach by train in one hour or less
The summer is fast approaching, and so too are our thoughts of the beach. Whether you favour a traditional, bucket-and-spades affair, or prefer somewhere more peaceful, the coastline is the place to be on a sunny day. And while some of the more remote spots require a car to reach them, many of our most spectacular beaches are perfectly accessible by train – meaning there's no need to negotiate parking arrangements or struggle with traffic. Here are some of the best UK beaches accessible by train.
Find a beach in:
England
From Newcastle: Tynemouth Beach
The beaches of the north east are among Britain's best. Alternately melancholy and tropical, they make for a fantastic day out from, say, Newcastle or Durham. Among the best is Tynemouth Longsands, overlooked by the ruined Tynemouth priory. Best of all, it's accessible by the Metro – take a speedy trip from Newcastle and you're at the seaside. Braver visitors should head out into the water for a bracing swim (read our guide to open water swimming here), or join the throngs of surfers and catch a wave.
How to get there
On the Metro, take the YEL line from Monument station, in the centre of Newcastle, to Tynemouth (towards South Shields via Whitley Bay). The journey takes around 25 minutes.
Where to stay
No 61 offers well-appointed bed and breakfast rooms from £130 per night.
From Liverpool: Crosby Beach
Crosby Beach reached some notoriety with the installation of Anthony Gormley's Another Place sculptures. The statues are enduringly powerful, but the beach itself, even without artistic intervention, is a beautiful place for a coastal walk. Check the tides before visiting, wander along the sands, and then visit one of Crosby's elegant bars – Liverpool Road Social is a favourite.
How to get there
Take the Merseyrail train from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby station (20 mins), or Waterloo (17 mins), and walk along the stretch of coastline.
Where to stay
The Lake House Waterloo has modern, family-friendly rooms that look across the water. Prices start at £86 per night.
From London: Broadstairs
Londoners have long been visiting Brighton and Margate for summer sun. If the crowds are too much, though, try getting off the train earlier, at Broadstairs. Charles Dickens stayed here while writing Bleak House, and the house in which he stayed sits on a promontory over the wide expanse of beach. Head down to the sands to sunbathe, or, for a sweet treat, hop between the town's numerous ice cream parlours – try Morelli's for an unbeatable gelato.
How to get there
Southeastern trains from London St Pancras to Broadstairs take one hour and 20 minutes.
Where to stay
The Botany Bay Hotel is a family-friendly pub with rooms, situated around 10 minutes from Broadstairs. Rooms start at £126 per night.
Scotland
From Edinburgh: Pettycur Beach
Pettycur Beach is a small and sheltered bay backed by grand sand dunes. Its minimal facilities mean this probably isn't one for a young family, but make it ideal for a tranquil afternoon at the coast. It's a remarkably peaceful place with views across the Firth of Forth. And if you're a dog-owner, visit when the tide is out to frolic along the wide sands.
How to get there
Take the Scotrail train from Edinburgh Waverley to Perth, disembarking at Kinghorn (around 40 minutes). It's then a 15 minute walk to the beach.
Where to stay
Cardinals Folly is a cosy b&b in a converted Victorian church. From £87 per night, including breakfast.
From Glasgow: Troon
Close to cafes, shops and restaurants, Troon's popular beach is ideal for a summer day out. A day on the esplanade might include a game of hide-and-seek in the Italianate garden, or a scramble over the climbing frame in the well-equipped playground. Throughout the summer months, kite-surfers make it their regular spot. And the two-hour, two-mile treasure trail is a pleasing diversion regardless of the weather.
How to get there
The ScotRail train from Glasgow to Ayr stops off in Troon, taking around 40 minutes.
Where to stay
Marine Troon is a landmark hotel, primarily (but not exclusively) favoured by golfers. Its rooms offer spectacular views across to the Isle of Arran. From £265 per night.
From Inverness: Nairn
'Astrotourism' – that is, the pursuit of astronomical phenomena – is being lauded as a 'travel trend' for this year. If this is true, Nairn beach should be among the busiest places in the country. Its pretty sands are a perfect spot to watch the sun set, complemented by views across the Moray Forth. In winter, the Northern Lights regularly dance across its dark skies.
How to get there
Take the ScotRail train from Inverness to Nairn (around 20 minutes), then walk for about 20 minutes down to the beach.
Where to stay
Golf View Hotel and Spa has Nairn's beach on its doorstep. A night's stay starts at £182 per night.
Wales
From Cardiff: Llantwit Major Beach
Surfers adore Llantwit Major Beach for its adrenaline-boosting waves. Those who are less confident in the water, however, should head to the popular spot for its rockpooling opportunities. Children will adore finding waterborne wildlife, while adults will, secretly, get a thrill from the nostalgia of it all. The coastline here is also home to Britain's tiniest resident butterfly, the Small Blue – keep your eyes peeled while wandering along the clifftops.
How to get there
Take the Transport for Wales train from Cardiff Central to Llantwit Major (around 45 minutes). It's a half-an-hour walk to the beach.
Where to stay
The Great House Guest House lives up to its name. The charming, Grade II-listed cottage offers rooms from £135 (and its afternoon tea comes highly recommended).
From Porthmadog: Barmouth Beach
For those visiting Snowdonia, Barmouth is a charming coastal diversion. Go hiking in the national park's valleys, and then relax on its wide, open sands. The traditional spot has it all – ice cream shops, fish and chips, amusement arcades – but somehow never gets overcrowded, meaning respite can be found on its coves, too. At low tide, it's possible to walk along the sands to Harlech in the north.
How to get there
Trains run to Barmouth from Porthmadog (one hour) and Shrewsbury (two and a half hours), both with Transport for Wales.
Where to stay
Llwyndu is a 400-year-old, honeysuckle-fronted and clotted-cream-coloured farmhouse, offering rooms from £120 per night.
Northern Ireland
From Belfast: Ballyholme Bay
Bangor's Ballyholme Bay is the antidote to a busy day in Belfast. Take a picnic and watch the comings-and-goings of the Yacht Club, whose members can be seen making the most of good weather. If you fancy trying your hand at watersports, take an introductory sailing course here, or try your hand at windsurfing.
How to get there
A half-an-hour Translink train journey from Belfast's Lanyon Place station will take you to Bangor. From there, it's a 20 minute walk to Ballyhome Bay.
Where to stay
The Harrison Hotel is a quirky and eccentric place to stay in Belfast. Rooms from £167 per night.
From Derry/Londonderry: Castlerock Beach
An antidote to England's sewage-blighted beaches, Castlerock is regularly awarded Blue Flag status for its clear waters. Anglers adore it for its fruitful fishing opportunities, while the dramatic cliffs to the west make for spectacular photography opportunities. There's boardwalk access, making it easy to weave through the dunes, plus a summer lifeguard service. And if you are taking the car (not that you'll need to), there's free parking, too.
How to get there
The train from Derry/Londonderry to Castlerock takes around half an hour with Translink.
Where to stay
The Bishop's Gate Hotel is a grand former gentleman's club in the bigger city. Rooms from £179 per night.
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