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Love living the vibrant city life but craving a coastal outing? Look no further than this handy guide to beaches near Birmingham.
Despite being a landlocked city, Birmingham is within driving distance of many wonderful beaches. From the sandy shores of North Wales to the picturesque beaches of Somerset, you’ll be surprised by the coastal delights this guide features!
Looking for beaches near you? Keep reading to discover 11 beaches near Birmingham…
First on our guide to beaches near Birmingham is this lovely set of shingle and sand, Aberystwyth North Beach. The charming beach rests moments away from Aberystwyth‘s promenade and enjoys great access to parking, a lifeguard service and activities.
It’s amongst the beaches in Wales that are perfect for families, with kayaking, donkey rides and surfing opportunities available in abundance. A cliff railway can be found towards the northern edge of the beach, while an array of eateries are also dotted around nearby, including The Glen Gower.
Don’t forget to visit Aberystwyth‘s pier, where ice cream parlours and a traditional arcade await.
Distance from Birmingham: 123 miles via car
Type of beach: Sand and shingle
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed between the pier and jetty all year around, however, they’re only allowed on the main section between October-April
Postcode: SY23 2DD
Barmouth Beach is a must-see set of sands when it comes to beaches near Birmingham. Another superb beach for families, it rests a stone’s throw away from an array of traditional amusements, including an arcade and swing boats.
The North Wales beach is also known for its outdoor activities, thanks to its great surfing conditions and the beach itself being close to walking trails.
After sunbathing on the sandy shores or dipping your toes in the cool waves of this beach, why not embark on a donkey ride? Alternatively, make your way towards Barmouth‘s Harbour where crabbing and ferry rides over to Fairbourne can be experienced.
Distance from Birmingham: 113 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: LL42 1NE
Whitmore Bay is another beach near Birmingham that’s worth visiting. Not only is it a beautiful place to visit, thanks to its flanking cliffs and golden shores, but it’s packed with things to do. The beach also enjoys TV ties and is amidst the iconic filming locations for Gavin and Stacey!
The renowned Pleasure Park rests just off the beach, offering plenty of amusements, horse rides and crazy golf to enjoy. After spending time here be sure to venture down to the Blue Flag beach to enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation.
Sunbathing, soaking up the views of the Bristol Channel and going rock pooling are just a few of the ways you can relax here!
Distance from Birmingham: 132 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: CF62 5TJ
Whilst Tenby South Beach isn’t the closest beach to Birmingham on this list, it’s still within reach and definitely worth a visit! This stunning beach is one of three in Tenby and enjoys a mile and a half of golden sands along with views over to the idyllic Caldey Island.
The sands are perfect for an array of classic seaside activities, including sunbathing and building sand castles. Between October-April, the beach allows dogs, so you and your canine companion can look forward to coastal hikes with views of Camarthen Bay.
The side of the beach that’s closer to central Tenby can get quite busy during peak season. Venture further south, where you can find the perfect spot for a peaceful beach day.
Distance from Birmingham: 179 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: SA70 7DU
Another marvellous addition to this selection of beaches near Birmingham, Aberavon Beach makes for an idyllic spot for a beach outing. The beach is amongst Wales‘ longest, with over three miles of soft sands to explore.
The beach’s waves enjoy a strong swell, making it ideal for surfing. Alternatively, you can enjoy walking or cycling along the adjacent, two-mile promenade which is part of the National Cycle Network and the Celtic Trail.
Aberavon Beach is another beach near Birmingham that’s great for the little ones! Play areas, the Aqua Splash Park and a Reel Cinema all rest a short walk away.
Distance from Birmingham: 148 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: No
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: SA12 6QP
Rhyl Beach was bound to make this list of beaches near Birmingham. The sandy beach stretches over two miles along the North Wales coastline and offers an exceptional amount of space to unwind when the tide’s out.
After catching the sun’s rays on the soft sands, there are plenty of beachfront amusements for you to check out. An amusement arcade, an aquarium and crazy golf are just a handful of attractions waiting for you on Rhyl‘s coast!
If you’d prefer to stay by the water, Rhyl Beach is known for its ample angling opportunities. To be in with a chance of catching dogfish, mackerel and bass, head up to this beach near Birmingham and cast your hook.
Distance from Birmingham: 117 miles via car, approx. 2 hours via train
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: LL18 3YP
Seeking the nearest beach to Birmingham by train? Or looking for a beach where you can enjoy traditional amusements, a lively pier and miles of sand? Come to Weston-Super-Mare!
This is the first of a handful of Somerset beaches on this list and is a fantastic beach near Birmingham with a wealth of things to do.
When visiting Weston-Super-Mare Beach, be sure to make your way to the Grand Pier, where tonnes of fun awaits the whole family. The pier is home to an array of family events, live shows, amusements and eateries for you to make the most of.
After exploring the pier, head down to the sands, where there’s ample room for you to sunbathe, paddle and surf. Afterwards, venture up to the promenade to find a wealth of vibrant shops selling souvenirs and tasty treats.
The beach is also well-known for its offering of events throughout the year, including the iconic Fireworks at Sea.
Distance from Birmingham: 115 miles via car, approx. 1hr 50mins via train
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, with restrictions during summer
Postcode: BS23 1BE
When it comes to beaches near Birmingham, visiting Burnham-on-Sea Beach is a must. The tranquil beach is characterised by the historic Low Lighthouse. The landmark rests on the quietest part of the beach, which is also the best section for dog walking.
After going for a sandy stroll with your furry friend, make your way up to the promenade to find cafés and pretty Victorian guest houses lining the coast. Alternatively, continue along the beach to the iconic pier, a marvel boasting the status of being Britain’s shortest pier. Despite its size, it offers great amusements to enjoy, including an ice cream kiosk and an arcade.
If you’re a watersports fan, you’ll be happy to know that the beach is perfect for windsurfing and sailing, courtesy of its strong on-shore winds.
Distance from Birmingham: 122 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: No
Dog friendly: Yes, between October-April
Postcode: TA8 1BG
Sugar Loaf Beach is in second place when it comes to being the closest beach to Birmingham, losing out on being the nearest beach to Birmingham by only 2.4 miles! The shingle beach is tucked away on Portishead’s western edge and offers a quiet retreat for those wanting to escape it all.
If you’re coming with your pooch, you’ll be pleased to find that the beach is dog-friendly and even offers a tidal pool for them to paddle in. The Portishead Lighthouse to Lighthouse walk can also be reached from Sugar Loaf Beach, so you can turn your beach outing into a coastal day out.
After exploring this charming little beach, head to The Windmill Inn for a bite to eat while enjoying elevated views of the coast.
Distance from Birmingham: 101 miles via car
Type of beach: Shingle
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes
Postcode: BS20 8DP
West Kirby Beach is in third place when it comes to being the nearest beach to Birmingham. At this beach, you can look forward to soaking up the views of the Dee Estuary and the distant hills of North Wales while unwinding on the sands.
The beach is small at 300 metres long, however, during low tide more sand appears, creating a causeway to the Middle Eye Hillbre Islands. The islands comprise Middle Eye, Little Eye and Hillbre Island; all of which make up a beautiful nature reserve for you to explore.
Another fantastic highlight of the beach is its watersports centre, where you can hire equipment to use in the sea and in the nearby West Kirby Marine Lake.
Distance from Birmingham: 102 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, all year around
Postcode: CH48 0QG
We’re ending this list of gorgeous shores with the closest beach to Birmingham, Thurstaston Beach. This sandy gem is the first beach you’ll find dotted along the Wirral Peninsula’s western shore, and it also boasts views of the Dee Estuary.
Thurstaston Beach is not only the nearest beach to Birmingham but it’s very popular with locals and visitors due to its fantastic parking and dog-friendly status.
The beach also backs onto the Wirral Country Park, making it a wildlife haven. After basking in the sun and sand, wander through the park to spot an array of animals, including badgers and foxes, before settling down in one of the coastal picnic areas.
Distance from Birmingham: 98.6 miles via car
Type of beach: Sandy
Car park: Yes
Dog friendly: Yes, all year around
Postcode: CH61 0HN
Ready to discover some of these beaches first-hand? Be sure to explore them from one of these coastal cottages! To learn about a wider variety of beaches and coastal breaks, check out our handy UK Beach Holidays guide and this list of best beaches in the UK.
Image Credits: Jeff Buck – CC BY-SA 2.0; MichaelMaggs – CC BY-SA 4.0; Lewis Clarke – CC BY-SA 2.o
Hi, I'm Lola and I joined Sykes in 2021. My favourite holiday destination in the UK has to be Suffolk, I have so many happy memori...
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