What about the beach? Although you might not associate the seaside with England, maybe you should. After all, England is an island, with ocean waters slapping against its coasts on all sides. Plus, there are some really lovely shore towns, where outdoor pursuits, cultural activities, and good old beach bumming will keep you occupied. Here are just a few places to whet your appetite:
Brighton Pier.
Kayaks in Hele Bay, near Devon.Brighton
The 鈥渂right鈥 in fits it to a tee. This beach town in South East England is known for its vibrant atmosphere, complete with thrumming clubs, an exciting lineup of summer festivals, and a populace that loves all things bohemian. Brighton鈥檚 pebble (not sand!) beach looks out on the blue waters of the English Channel. If you鈥檙e an adrenaline junkie, you might want to try your hand at paragliding or surfing in the cold waters. But you鈥檒l need a wetsuit: the channel averages temperatures in the mid-60s, even during August, the hottest summer month.聽
You should also try the famous fish-and-chips at reet. Then burn off the calories with a leisurely run along the seafront, where you鈥檒l pass eye candy like the , the , and the .
Devon
Spreading out across about 450 miles of coastline in South West England, the county of draws tourists to its golden beaches, emerald hills, and cerulean waters. Visitors flock to these shores to relax in an awe-inspiring setting. But because this is such a large swath to cover, you鈥檒l probably have to make a choice: either 鈥檚 grand cliffs, large beaches, and huge surfing swells, or South Devon鈥檚 鈥溾 resorts and Jurassic Coast history. No matter where you go, you should sample some of Devon鈥檚 famous clotted cream.
The county is also known for the extraordinary walks along its coasts and through its stunning moorlands. The 21-mile Drake鈥檚 Trail is a favored route, as is the 630-mile South West Coast Path. Walking is such a popular pastime here, there鈥檚 even a twice-yearly event, the , devoted to it.聽
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One of 鈥檚 claims to fame is that it has Britain鈥檚 longest stretch of shoreline鈥攂ut this western county is also known for its breathtaking beauty. Old fishing villages nestle into craggy coves; steep seaside cliffs, blanketed in grass and lined with hiking trails and golden beaches, give way to ultramarine waters. The southwestern county is also peppered with intrigue, from the prehistoric stone circles (think ) near the village of Minions to , the reputed birthplace of King Arthur.
When it comes to active endeavors, you鈥檒l find that boating, biking, fishing, surfing, and paddleboarding are all popular activities, as is something called coasteering鈥攁 blend of rock climbing, cliff jumping, and swimming while donning neoprene. Average water temperatures in the summertime won鈥檛 rise above the mid-60s, making wetsuits a must.