If you are vacationing in the UK and need something to do, there’s no better option than to visit the beach.

Beaches in the UK are known for their beautiful landscapes and offer a wide range of activities for the whole family. Whether that be making sandcastles or exploring the local rock pools for native marine life.

But what makes a perfect family beach day? In the following guide, we have compiled a list of useful tips to make your vacation worth it, ensuring a perfect family beach day that you will remember for years to come.

So if you want to experience a true British beach day, this article has everything you need to get started.

1. Leave Early (Or Late)

When the summer weather is at its warmest, beaches in the UK can become very crowded, which can make it difficult to park the car and find a spot on the sand. So to avoid this, we advise heading out early or during the later afternoon. This way you will be guaranteed a spot and you won’t have to spend all day under the burning sun.

2. Bring Sunscreen

Along with towels and bottles of water, you will also need to bring sunscreen. Sunscreen can make a big difference between a good beach day and a bad one, as it helps to protect your skin from UV rays. Without sunscreen, you could run the risk of getting sunburn and spoiling the rest of your summer vacation.

For the best results, we recommend lathering your body with sunscreen before leaving the house. You should also take another bottle with you for touch-ups during the day. Always make sure to use sunscreen with a high factor.

3. Find A Spot

Beach set-ups will differ from country to country. But, in most cases, you will need to pack a blanket, parasol, and tent.

These pieces of equipment will help to build the ideal oasis for you and your family, with the tent providing a shaded area for your children to eat and rest. Additional comfort can also come in the form of fold-up chairs, which can be rented from local vendors or brought from home.

Once you have found the perfect spot and set up your tent, you can start exploring the beach and its surroundings.

4. Keep Water In The Car

While it’s important to pack plenty of water for the beach, you should also make sure to leave some bottled water in your car for when you return. For the best results, we advise freezing the bottles first, so that they will still be cold when the day is over. This way, you can have a cold drink when you return to the car. You can even use the water to wash the sand off your feet if the showers are busy or far away.

5. Packs Lots Of Food

When it comes to packing food, we recommend that you take double what you think you will need.

During beach days, it is common for children to get hungry and chances are they will want snacks every few hours. Beyond this, there is a chance that your food could be exposed to sand and saltwater, so it’s best to pack a backup cooler just in case.

The kind of food you bring can also have an impact on the overall experience, as there are some foods that should not be eaten on the beach. For example, don’t take sliced fruit, as this is a prime target for sand and grit. Instead, take berries, grapes, and apples - as these will be easier to eat and transport.

Beach Day Checklist

Before heading to the beach, we recommend making a checklist of everything you will need throughout the day. By following this method, you will be able to keep track of the supplies you need and the items you already have.

In our humble opinion, the perfect family beach day checklist should include the items listed below:

• Several bottles of sunscreen (for the best results, we recommend a selection of lotions and sprays)

• Plastic bags (for storing sunscreen, wet clothing, and bathing suits)

• Bottled water (as much as capable - make sure to leave some frozen bottles in the car for when you get back)

• Plenty of food (sandwiches, chips, fruit, and much more)

• Beach hats, sunglasses, water sandals and other protective gear.

• Wet wipes and antibacterial wipes (for cleaning sticky hands and wiping faces after food)

• Bucket, spade, and fishing net (for building sandcastles and catching sea creatures in the rock pools)

• Mini first aid kit (bandages, alcohol wipes, and disinfectant)

• Money (for ice cream and other additions - you won’t need much)

And that’s everything you need for a perfect family beach day! We hope you found our guide helpful and that you will use it for future reference.

Image Credits:

Image 2: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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