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If you’re after a traditional British seaside experience, Blackpool has it in (bucket and) spades.

Spanish-style steps lead on to golden sands, which are perfect for strolling, a game of Frisbee or a picnic, plus there are donkey rides and deckchairs. Thrill-seekers can head to Pleasure Beach on Ocean Boulevard, where attractions include the Big One – the UK’s tallest roller coaster. Hang on to your Kiss Me Quick hats. Runner up Hunstanton Beach, Norfolk. A magnificent stretch of beach known as Sunny Hunny.

Three miles of gently sloping beach, exceptionally clean water and waves rolling in from the Atlantic have made Woolacombe in Devon a big hit with surfers, and there are lifeguards for safe family swimming. Windsurfing, canoeing and sailing are also popular – or if you want to take things a little

easier, there’s the annual sandcastle competition. Runner up Whitby Bay, Yorkshire.

Set against spectacular cliffs, Whitby offers everything from deep-sea fishing and quad-bike riding to hiking and cycling.

Secluded coves and sands that seem to go on forever at low tide make Blue Flag-winning Polzeath one of north Cornwall’s favourite beaches. For a quiet swim, head for New Polzeath, where you can splash about without fear of colliding with surfboards. The beach also has a nature reserve

and some great rock pools to explore.Runner up West Wittering,

West Sussex. This pretty beach is ideal for a cool dip on a hot day. And keep an eye out for Keith Richards – he has a beach hut here.

Beautiful St Ives is the jewel in the Cornish coastline’s crown. The resort’s

fantastic position on its own little peninsula means it’s almost surrounded by sea – a photo opportunity everywhere you look, and with three beaches to choose from you’re never really short of places to put your towel. Runner up Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim. Magnificent and mystical, the Giant’s Causeway is a Unesco World Heritage site and the focal point of an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Want to see bottlenose dolphins in the wild? Cardigan Bay on the west coast of Wales is home to one of only two colonies in the UK, and this is the largest. You’re also likely to see Atlantic grey seals, harbour porpoises and a wide variety of birds – visit the nearby Teifi River Trail for a glimpse of teals, pochards, cormorants, herons and snipe.Runner up Cuil Bay, Duror, Scotland. Strictly speaking a sea loch, this enchanting bay is the place to come if you want to spot sea otters and sea eagles.

Easily one of the UK’s most famous stretches of coast thanks to Durdle Door, a curious rock formation in the sea, Lulworth makes an excellent starting or finishing point for a trek along the diverse Jurassic Coast. It’s one of the busiest stretches in the south west so if you like your walks peaceful, go early before the crowds arrive, and when you’re on the beach itself, keep an eye out for fossils – they’re everywhere. Runner up Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire. A rugged beach ideal for those who like exploring.

Blackpool Polzeath Beach Cardigan Bay Woolacombe St Ives Bay Lulworth

Did you know that every £10 in Clubcard vouchers gives you £30 in rewards tokens to spend on family holidays with Park Resorts, offering a choice of 39 UK holiday parks. Or to buy your own caravan, exchange your vouchers for rewards tokens for caravan ownership with Park Resorts. For more information visit tesco.com/clubcard/rewards.

Take a break with Clubcard

Best for families Best for swimming Best for wildlife Best for activities Best for scenery Best for walking

We love the seaside and thousands of you voted in our survey to find the nation’s favourites. Here are the top 12

British beachesYour best

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