Sun-Kissed Shores: Discover our Top 3 Best Beaches

Nestled within the beautiful landscapes of both counties, Shorefield parks offer an array of idyllic gateways to some of the UK's most captivating beaches. As Spring and Summer are almost on our doorstep, it’s time to start planning beach escapes on our beautiful UK South coast and we have three very different ones to add to your holiday bucket list:

• Choose from taking a stroll on Milford on Sea’s pebbled beach

• Get active with some water sports at Bournemouth Beach

• Be a kid for the day with some old school beach activities like flying a kite or building sandcastles at Swanage Bay

Here’s more to love about our top 3 beach picks this Spring & Summer:

1. Milford on Sea

Milford on Sea is a charming coastal village just a stone's throw away from Shorefield Country Park. Home to brightly coloured wooden beach huts and heaps of other amenities like ice cream/snack kiosks, it has something for everyone.

With its pebbled shorelines, panoramic views, and gentle waves, it truly offers the perfect setting for a leisurely day by the sea. Create some fun with the family with pebble knocking or take a boat trip from nearby Lymington Harbour to explore the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

Indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants, like The Lighthouse, or grab an ice cream along the seafront. From fish and chips to gourmet seafood dishes, there's something to suit every taste. If you are interested in the local history, you can take a scenic walk along Hurst Spit to reach Hurst Castle, which dates back to the time of Henry VIII - explore the castle grounds and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

It’s also only a short walk into the centre of Milford where you can grab a great pub lunch at The Smugglers Inn, or grab some bakery goods from The Coastal Bakery, an afternoon tipple at independent bar and off licence, The Cave, loved by locals and holiday makers alike. Why not also treat yourself to a little memento to take home from a touch of retail therapy at Milford’s mix of independent shops across spanning gifts and interiors.

2. Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth Beach is much bigger than our first local beach, nestled along the picturesque Dorset coastline. This beach needs no introduction as it’s one of the UK’s more famous beaches - renowned for its natural beauty, golden sands, and vibrant seaside atmosphere, Bournemouth Beach was ranked as the number one beach in the UK by TripAdvisor 2023.

Stretching for nearly seven miles, Bournemouth Beach boasts soft, golden sands that provide the perfect setting for sunbathing, picnics, and beach games. There are plenty of watersport activities to partake in too; such as surfing, paddle boarding and windsurfing - there's something for everyone to enjoy, whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time enthusiast.

Bournemouth Pier is home to various attractions and amusements. You can try your luck at the amusement arcade with some classic slot machines to VR headset games, or test your skills at traditional fairground-style games. During certain times of the year, you might also find a Ferris wheel setup along the seafront, offering breathtaking views of Bournemouth Beach and the surrounding coastline so check out bournemouth.co.uk

Whatever you want from a day at the beach, you’ll be sure to find it all here.

3. Swanage Bay

Last but by no means least, Swanage Bay is just a short walk away from Shorefield’s Swanage Coastal Park and you can enjoy the views of the English Channel right from your caravan or lodge as we’re perched on the hillside of Swanage.

Swanage is a much loved seaside hot spot where you’ll see families enjoying building sandcastles, flying kites or just soaking up some Summer sun. Take a stroll along Swanage Pier, a popular spot for fishing, crabbing and of course, enjoying an ice cream!

For those seeking adventure and seaside thrills, Swanage Bay also offers an array of water sports such as kayaking and coasteering. Rental shops and tour operators in the area provide equipment hire and guided excursions for all skill levels too so why not give it a try this Summer.

Whether you're sunbathing, swimming, or building sandcastles with the family, we hope you build a beach escape into your next holiday at one of our parks. Here’s our top tips from the team on how to make the most of your beach time whether it’s sea, sun, pebbles, crabbing, ice creams, kayaks or all of the above on your agenda!

1. Think sun protection first - We know we all give a big cheer when the sun comes out in the UK and the shorts and flip flops come out - but don’t leave the park without hats and sunscreen for all the family, to make sure there’s no sunburn or sunstroke this holiday.

2. Pack the picnic essentials - Take lots of reusable water bottles with you as keeping hydrated is essential and helps keep costs down on those days out. Also those bottles of water come in handy to rinse off things that have been dropped in the sand. Then who doesn’t love a picnic - another money saver and ensures more beach time - just watch out for those pesky seagulls.. so they don’t pinch a sandwich or two!

3. Spare bags & a change of clothes - another practical one for the end of the day is to chuck all those wet sandy clothes in a spare bag and save the moans with a clean t-shirt to pop on, to make the walk back to our parks.

4. Bring the fun - Make sure to bring some beach toys such as a frisbee, buckets, spades, and a kite. For a more relaxed day at the beach why not pack some travel games like Uno, playing cards or mini classics like dominoes - to really make the most of your day by the sea. But if you do forget the entertainment - why not create a seashell treasure hunt or make a Jenga tower using pebbles - who wins, gets the ice cream!

5. Alway be prepared for the accidents - no one wants to to be the fun police but it's a good idea to always have a few essentials to hand - such as antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream, bite or sting spray, an instant ice pack and of course, some plasters - basically a mini first aid kit for when life’s dramas get in the way of all the thrills and spills of a beach day.

And finally….if beaches are not your thing but you have water babies in the family, why not book one of our executive lodges with your very own hot tub on the verandah. For the pool lovers, check out the facilities at Shorefield Country Park and Oakdene and whatever your budget, our parks offer a variety of accommodation to suit all purse strings and are the perfect base for some Spring and Summer fun. So pack your bags, lace up your shoes and start daydreaming about your beach escapes with Shorefield Holidays this season.