Nestled along the coastline, just two hours from Cambridge, is a charming town with a sweeping, unspoilt golden sand beach and an abundance of classic seaside offerings
A seaside town that looks as though it’s been plucked from a postcard has one of the UK’s best beaches – and it’s just two hours from Cambridge.
As the county of Cambridgeshire is landlocked, with flat fenlands and meandering rivers, sometimes you can’t help but crave a day at the beach, especially during the summer months. With thoughts turning to a day spent along stretches of golden sand, hearing the sound of lapping waves, savouring an ice cream or chippy along a promenade, and enjoying some classic seaside fun.
Luckily for us, there’s a plethora of stunning coastlines within easy reach of Cambridgeshire, thanks to our neighbouring county of Norfolk. And there’s one town that’s well worth visiting, thanks to its picture-postcard scenes and broad, golden beach.
Nestled along the Norfolk coast, just a two-hour drive from Cambridge, is Gorleston-on-Sea. Known as a quieter escape, the seaside town has drawn visitors for its wide, sprawling beach that offers ample space, as well as its relaxed coastal charm, particularly compared to its busier resort neighbour, Great Yarmouth.
Gorleston-on-Sea offers that quintessential day out at the beach without the crowds, even during the summer holidays, all thanks to its unspoilt beach. It’s been so highly praised that TripAdvisor has named it one of the best beaches in the UK, and it’s easy to see why.
Colourful beach huts line parts of the shore, alongside a stretching promenade, that’s perfect for a summer stroll, stopping on a bench to admire the view, or for kids riding on their bikes. There are seaside cafés, ice cream stalls, restaurants and fish and chip shops dotted along the coastline, alongside traditional amusements for some quintessential seaside fun.
Aside from its expansive beach, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained. From its bowling greens, tennis and basketball courts, children’s playground, pitch and putt, a model yacht pond, and even a children’s splashpad.
It certainly has everything you need for a beach day out, and visitors have been left more than impressed. During a visit last month, one happy holidaymaker shared on TripAdvisor: “A long, wide and very clean sandy beach to rival any in the UK. This truly is a wonderful beach to walk end to end.
“At the northern tip is the quaint, old school boating pond and a short line of amusements and takeouts, but head south to discover the quiet, non-commercial end, then walk back and enjoy some fish and chips and a drink. Highly recommended!”
A second penned: “Beautiful sandy beach. Pebbles in some areas, but mainly soft, clean sand. It was busy, but still plenty of space. Sat near the lifeguards’ station. Very family-friendly, with amusements, a splash park, and a boating lake, alongside places to eat/drink and get an ice cream. Just remember to take your chairs/parasols, etc, as there’s nowhere to hire.”
“This is an excellent beach and spotlessly clean, so a perfect place when staying nearby for a leisurely walk along the beach and up the pier, and places along the way for a drink and an ice cream too! Quite a bit of parking available as well, so a nice spot for an afternoon trip,” a third commented.
One more said: “Fantastic sandy beach, very clean with plenty of spare, good cafes, restaurants and ice cream close to hand.” Many visitors also noted the grand Pier Hotel, a three-star, family-run hotel, which is the perfect spot for a refreshment in one of its two bars, and some may recognise it from Danny Boyle’s 2019 movie, Yesterday.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
You must be logged in to post a comment Login