Rediscover the English seaside
England has more than 2,700 miles of coastline, and 2026 is the year to get back to it. From the fossil cliffs of the Jurassic Coast to the wide sands of the North West, the gannet colonies of the Yorkshire cliffs to the shingle and big skies of the East, the English coast packs astonishing variety into a few hours’ travel. Pick a stretch below, find somewhere to stay and something to do, and make a proper go of it this summer.
England’s coastal destinations
Coastal things to do
Top-rated tours and experiences on the English coast, bookable online.
Torquay Coastal RIB Seafari
Come and see the stunning coastline of Torbay and The English Riviera. From coves, caves and natural limestone arches through to isolated rocky islands and secluded beaches. It's simply stunning. We will visit areas where we hope to see seals basking in the sunshine, lots of different sea birds and of course we w…
The story of Agatha Christie's extraordinary life
This walking tour has received over six hundred 5 star reviews and is recognised as one of the best activities on The English Riviera! Trip Advisor has awarded this tour the Badge of Excellence and their Traveller's Choice award. And in 2024 Visit Devon awarded this tour a Gold for International Tourism Graham,…
Friday & Saturday night comedy club entry
Come and have a laugh at Lancashire’s only designated live comedy venue, right here, in Blackpool. Grab a beer from the bar (own expense), and take your seat in the Comedy Station’s bar, before heading into the theatre, for Blackpool’s funniest night out. With four comedians, including talent from top-flight televis…
Jersey Beats Oh What A Nite! - Show Tickets
Originally conceived and produced by the Viva Blackpool team, ‘Oh What A Nite!’ is celebrating an amazing 9th season in Blackpool and this show is one of our most popular productions appealing to a wide range of audiences and ages. Featuring the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons! This is music with a broad …
Coasteering
We specialise in PRIVATE sessions (just your group and our guides) and sessions are BESPOKE to suit you. Are you feeling a little nervous and need an extra hand along the way? Or are you looking for an adrenaline packed plunge off the biggest jumps we have to offer? Have you been before and would like to experience …
Guided Walking Tour of Portsmouth
Please note the tour does not enter the Historic Dockyard or go on board its ships. Old Portsmouth represents over 800 years of history, playing a central part in Britain's role in world events. The tour focuses on the stories of its people, their lives loves and losses, not dreary dates or boring buildings. You…
Coastal events this season
A coast for every kind of break
The South West is where most coastal holidays begin. Devon offers two coastlines in one county — the surf beaches and estuaries of the north, the gentler red-cliff resorts of the south around Torbay and the sailing town of Dartmouth. Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs past the fossil beaches of Lyme Regis and the natural arch at Durdle Door.
Along the South Coast, Eastbourne sits beneath the chalk of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Portsmouth packs in 800 years of maritime history, and Dover’s white cliffs are the country’s most famous coastal landmark.
The East Coast trades drama for big skies and unpretentious charm — the traditional seaside of Great Yarmouth, the long beaches of the Lincolnshire Coast, and the bird cliffs and Blue Flag sands of Bridlington and East Yorkshire. Up in North Yorkshire, Scarborough remains the classic two-bay resort.
The North West brings the boldest seaside of all: Blackpool, with its Tower, Pleasure Beach and autumn Illuminations, and the gentler Victorian elegance of Southport and the Fylde Coast. Wherever you go, the rule is the same — check the tides, pack for four seasons in a day, and order the fish and chips. It really is all on the coast.
England’s best coastal towns for 2026 → Best coastal walks →