Best UK holiday parks by the beach

The best beach holiday parks in the UK combine direct beach access with family-friendly entertainment, stunning seaside views, and proximity to nearby attractions and days out. The good news is that the UK is not short of beautiful coastlines or relaxing seaside resorts - you just need to know which one is right for you.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best beach holiday parks in the UK, including holiday parks with beach access, family-friendly activities, the best views, and parks with dog-friendly accommodation for those with furry friends in tow.

A young family are walking along a dry dirt path which is situated between rolling green hills on a hot summer's day.

Where are the best places for a beach holiday in the UK?

There are so many great coastal spots for a beach holiday in the UK, each with their own unique charm. Here’s a glimpse at some of the top beach holiday destinations in the UK:

Cornwall is best for family beach holidays with small children
Isle of Wight is best for golden sandy beaches
Dorset is best for picturesque coastal walks and dramatic cliffsides
Yorkshire is best for fossil hunting and historic fishing towns
North Wales is best for budget beach holidays

Why choose a holiday park by the beach?

Holiday parks by the sea in the UK combine all the ingredients of an unforgettable coastal getaway, without the faff and expense of travelling abroad, making them a fantastic holiday destination for families and couples alike.

Some of the best coastal holiday parks offer:

Direct beach access
Beautiful coastal views
On-site activities for kids and adults
Dining options right on your doorstep
A perfect base to explore nearby harbour towns

For those that love nothing more than feeling the sand between your toes and the sea breeze in your hair, while also enjoying a whole host of entertainment and activities right on your doorstep, a holiday park by the beach is tough to beat!

Best beach holiday parks in the UK

Holiday park	Location	Beach type	Distance from beach	Dog rules	Best for
St Ives Bay	Cornwall	3-mile-long sandy beach	5-15 mins walk	Some seasonal restrictions	Family beach holidays
Whitecliff Bay	Isle of Wight	½ mile-long sandy shingle beach	20 mins walk	Dog-friendly year-round	Dog-friendly beach holidays
Golden Sands	North Wales	Wide sandy beach	2 mins walk	Restricted access in central zones during peak season	Direct beach access
East Fleet Farm	Dorset	Pebble beach	15 mins drive	Allowed all year on the western side of the beach	Camping holidays by the sea
The Bay Filey	Yorkshire	Golden sands with a gentle shoreline	5-15 mins walk	Summer restrictions in the central section	Toddler- friendly beach holidays

St Ives Bay, Cornwall

St Ives Bay is the perfect choice for those looking for Cornwall holiday parks on the beach. It’s just a 5-15 minute walk from a three-mile-long private sandy beach, making it ideal for those seeking holiday parks with direct beach access. But that’s not all. St Ives Bay also has all the fancy extras that make a beach holiday truly unforgettable, including a surf school, crazy golf course, and stunning accommodation with sea views.

There’s also plenty to explore nearby, with quaint fishing villages, breathtaking coves, surfing hotspots, and child-friendly activities all on your doorstep. For families seeking a traditional Cornish coastal getaway, St Ives Bay is definitely one to explore.

St Ives Bay: The best bits

Direct beach access
Seasonal indoor pool
Shore Surf School
Hot tub accommodation options

Our top picks for beaches near St Ives Bay

St Ives Bay is best for long beach walks and swimming (5-15 minute walk)
Porthkidney Beach is best for walking the dog without restrictions (10 minute drive)
Porthminster Beach is best for safe paddling for small children and toddlers (15 minute drive)
St Ives Bay is best for watersports fanatics and surfers (5-15 minute walk)

Why customers love St Ives Bay

“Stunning location, has its own access to an amazing beach, white sand, miles long, flat, perfect for dog walking, kids or water sports. Definitely be back.” - Jamie at St Ives Bay

Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight

For a more adventurous seaside escape, a caravan holiday at Whitecliff Bay offers the perfect blend of comfort and novelty. One of the best Isle of Wight caravan parks near the beach, it’s just a 20 minute walk from the sandy shingle shores of Whitecliff Bay, which is dog-friendly all year round, making it an ideal choice to bring along four-legged companions.

Whitecliff Bay is also perfectly positioned for coastal adventures beyond the holiday park. With so many great coves and beaches just a short drive away, as well as nearby animal sanctuaries and adventure parks, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained before heading back to the caravan for a cosy night beneath the stars.

Whitecliff Bay: The best bits

Direct beach access
Indoor pool with flume
Crazy golf course
Outdoor heated pool

Our top picks for beaches near Whitecliff Bay

Sandown Beach is best for toddler-friendly splashes and shallow waters (15 minute drive)
Shanklin Beach is best for a beach trip packed with family fun (20 minute drive)
Whitecliff Bay is best for long dog walks without seasonal restrictions (20 minute walk)
Yaverland Beach is best for sailing, kite surfing, and more watersports (10 minute drive)

Why customers love Whitecliff Bay

“Our go to caravan holiday park, lovely walks, connected beach to the park, loads of entertainment including swimming indoor and outdoor, axe throwing, parks and more. Friendly and helpful staff, an all round beautiful place to visit. The scenery is amazing too with the cliffs.” - Emily at Whitecliff Bay

Golden Sands, North Wales

Golden Sands holiday park is a fantastic choice for those seeking caravan parks in North Wales by the beach. The wide sandy beach is just a 2 minute walk from the park, meaning you can practically hear the relaxing whoosh of waves lapping onto the shore from your accommodation. Dreamy, right? So whether the little ones want to build sandcastles or you fancy a romantic stroll along the seafront, it’s all just waiting for you, right on your doorstep.

There are also plenty of places to visit nearby Golden Sands to make your beach holiday even more memorable. From Zip World to local farms and zoos, as well as historic towns and sweeping bays, you’ll find plenty to keep the boredom at bay.

Golden Sands: The best bits

Direct beach access
Arcade
Outdoor adventure playground
Heated indoor pool
Hot tub accommodation

Our top picks for beaches near Golden Sands

Brean Beach is best for long coastal walks and relaxing sunbathing right outside your window (2 minute walk)
Rhyl Beach is best for family day trips, with ice cream kiosks, classic fish and chips, and a lively promenade (5 minute drive)
Llandudno West Shore Beach is best for breathtaking sunsets and toddler-friendly paddling (30 minute drive)

Why customers love Golden Sands

“Great place for a beach holiday and brought back a lot of memories from childhood.” - Annie at Golden Sands

East Fleet Farm, Dorset

Looking for the best Dorset holiday parks by the sea? East Fleet Farm is a fantastic choice for a summer coastal camping trip. Blending Dorset countryside with sea views, it’s the perfect setting to unplug from the stresses of daily life and spend some quality time with your loved ones. East Fleet Farm holiday park is just three miles away from Weymouth, and a short drive from some of the area’s most famous attractions such as Durdle Door and Corfe Castle.

If your dream beach holiday consists of sleeping beneath the stars, watching the kids run and play, and actually managing to get the whole family off their screens, then a camping holiday at East Fleet Farm might be exactly what you need.

East Fleet Farm: The best bits

Options for fully serviced and electric pitches
On-site launderette
Light entertainment at The Barn
Children’s play area

Our top picks for beaches near East Fleet Farm

Weymouth Beach is best for family-friendly fun, with gentle shores, donkey rides, and fairground attractions to keep kids entertained (15 minute drive)
Chesil Beach is best for keen surfers and long coastal walks along dramatic Jurassic coastline (15 minute drive)
Castle Cove Beach is best for quiet family time away from the crowds (15 minute drive)
Bowleaze Cove is best for restriction-free dog walks with nearby cafes and pubs for a bite to eat (17 minute drive)

Why customers love East Fleet Farm

“Me and my partner had the best time here, the pitch we had was beautiful you could see the sea from where we sat, showers and toilets were always clean. Staff were super friendly and helpful. We are definitely going to make East Fleet Farm our regular campsite.” - Jason at East Fleem Farm

An image of Durdle Door on the coast of Dorset.

The Bay Filey, Yorkshire

The Bay Filey in Yorkshire is a must-visit holiday park by the beach for families with small children. With gorgeous seaside views, family-friendly entertainment, and beautiful sandy beaches with gentle sloping shorelines, it’s the perfect place to spend quality time with your little ones while breathing in the fresh sea breeze.

The Bay Filey holiday park is just a short walk from Hunmanby Gap and Filey Beach, which are famous for their huge expanse of golden sands and shallow waters. But if the weather isn’t on your side, there’s plenty more to do nearby. From Flamingo Land to the National Railway Museum, you’ll find all kinds of child-friendly days out to keep tiny tots entertained on your coastal getaway.

The Bay Filey: The best bits

Direct beach access
Hot tub accommodation
Tennis court
Adventure playground
Beauty Room and sauna

Our top picks for beaches near The Bay Filey

Filey Beach is best for toddler-safe paddling and gentle waters (5-15 minute walk)
Cayton Bay is best for fossil-hunting and rock-pooling in a quieter bay (10 minute drive)
Scarborough Beach is best for a classic family seaside experience, with amusement parks, arcade and traditional seaside attractions (25 minute drive)

Why customers love The Bay Filey

“Visit number 12...still as epic as ever. The real clincher, apart from the faultless accommodation, is the beach, and how close the place is to the beach. If you love beach walks, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more deserted, beautiful stretch of sand, with a holiday town at one end, and a shipwreck 4 miles away at the other end. Filey Brigg is easily accessible, being around 45 minutes walk along the beach. This is surely Britain's best kept secret. Enjoy it while we can!” - Sarah at The Bay Filey.

Things to do on your UK beach holiday

There’s a reason why 52% of Brits favour beach holidays, and it’s because they offer that perfect blend of childhood nostalgia, quality family time, and classic seaside activities. If you’re stuck for things to do on your coastal getaway, here are some of our favourite activities that are sure to make some memories:

Explore the rock pools at low tide and see what you can find
Go crabbing off the pier or nearby harbour towns - Cornwall is a great spot for this!
Take your bucket and spades and make sandcastles with the kids
Enjoy long coastal walks with the dog and watch them play in the sand
Unwind with a book and soak up the sunshine
Fly a kite - you’re really never too old!
Pack a picnic with all your family’s favourite snacks
Pack a pair of goggles and a snorkel and see what you find in the shallow waters
Try surfing, paddle boarding or kayaking
Treat yourself to classic seaside food like a fish and chips or Mr Whippy ice cream

Time to book your UK beach holiday

Dreaming of the sand between your toes, sea breeze in your hair, and the taste of ice cream on your tongue? It all might be closer than you think. At Away Resorts, we have plenty of holiday parks with direct beach access, dotted around some of the UK’s favourite coastal towns and regions. So whether you’re planning a romantic beach holiday for two, a family summer holiday, or a dog-friendly break where your furry friend can run for miles along the shoreline, we’re sure to have a holiday park with your name on it.