Quiet Beaches in the UK – Holiday ideas for 2020 and 2021

We’ve seen the pictures, and maybe we’ve experienced the crowds.  There are some beaches and coastal locations which are always busy in the height of summer in the UK, and while it was a bit annoying before, it now seems a lot more serious.  Maybe you are thinking ahead to next year even, although autumn is a great time to go to the UK coast as things calm down after the school holidays and the manic-ness of post lockdown freedom.  

Having lived and travelled in the South West in between my mostly Lancashire life, I'm well used to the effect the ‘high season’ has on the most desirable UK holiday destinations – for example, if you want to go the Padstow, go on a sunny March or November day (but be prepared for not everything to be open).  

I’ve done a little round up of the places I have on my list of ‘just-enough-off-the-very-beaten-track’. Of course there are wilder parts of the country (and maybe I'll do a different blog on that), but sometimes you also want to be within reach of toilets/ice cream/scones (all three for me, plus a pint . . .  of wine).  

1 | Harlyn, North Cornwall 

On the subject of Padstow – it’s nice, great food, everyone loves it etc etc but you can’t move in the streets on a summer's day, let alone in the Great Staycation of 2020.  Round the side of the estuary is Harlyn Bay.   We’ve been here more than once, and walked around the headland – you can walk as far as you want (even to Padstow – but take some snacks in your Enjoy Eco Box Beeswax Wraps). There’s beautiful coast and estuary views, including the seafarers waymark tower at Stepper Point .  The beach at Harlyn is lovely, with a great campsite nearby (flat and spacious). I’ve noticed there’s a new Pig Hotel (hello, wishlist!), so maybe it's becoming trendy after all – all the more reason to try sooner rather than later! 

2 | Lee Bay, Valley of the Rocks, North Devon 

Places like Woolacombe and Croyde tend to get all the North Devon glory, but one of my favourite and most visited spots is the Valley of the Rocks. The walk from Lynton is easy and accessible (mostly tarmac, so potential for prams and wheelchairs, even) and is some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. It's generally undersold for the swankier places in Devon, but this is good news for people who don’t need £20pp fish and chips.  I’ve been to Lee Bay with just about everyone – boyfriend, friends, family and even extended family with children from pre-school to secondary school age. We ALWAYS have a great time. It’s a rocky beach, but sheltered and sunny, with plenty of scrambling and rock pooling opportunities.  This walk features in the Little Book of Walks & Snacks in the Enjoy the Outdoors boxes, so shop yours for the full route description and highlights. 

3 | The Gower, near Swansea, Wales 

For a generally quieter place overall, South Wales has the beauty of white sand beaches and the Coast Path, with much less of the hype and consequent crowds.  The Mumbles, near Swansea is a cute little town to stay in to make your way to the Gower.  Rather than tell you a specific beach, the pictures speak for themselves – wide open, clean and good paths to them – this an option for something a bit more off the beaten track (and perhaps benefitting from not having Cornish prices!). Pack your Enjoy Backpack with food and eco-suncream, and spend the day exploring. 

Let me know if you’d like to hear any more, or other quieter places to go in the UK 

You can get your staycation starter kit of sustainable outdoors essentials here