by Rose Conrad

Created on: August 01, 2010

With it's mild climate and long hours of sunshine, the West of England has long been a popular holiday destination. Both Devon and Dorset are counties with much to offer the visitor, and there are so many beautiful beaches to choose from, you're bound to find one just for you. Here are just a few to whet your appetite.

 Studland Bay

Voted the UK's 4th best beach in a recent study by "Which" Magazine, Studland Bay is a three-mile curve of sand, and forms part of a National Trust Nature Reserve, where you can see and hear many breeds of rare bird. It is very poular with families because of the safe bathing there, and is also home to the National Trusts's only designated naturist beach at Knoll Bay.

 Chesil Beach

For anyone with an interest in geology, a visit to Chesil Beach and the nearby town of Charmouth in Dorset is a must. Charmouth forms the main gateway to the co-called Jurassic Coast, which is now an internationally-renowned World Heritage Site, with the same status as The Grand Canyon or the Great Barrier Reef.  The Jurassic Coast provides the visitor with a "walk through time" with rock formations and fossils from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Chesil Beach is 18 miles long. Author John Fowles described it thus:-

 "It is above all an elemental place, made of sea, shingle and sky, its dominant sound always that of waves on moving stone: from the great surf and pounding “grounds of seas” of sou’westers, to the delicate laps and back-gurgling of the rare dead calm…."

Despite it's exalted status however, Chesil and the nearby towns of Charmouth and Weymouth provide ideal family beach holidays, with a large amount of holiday accomodation to suit all budgets, and various amusement parks and sporting facilities for children.

 Torbay

Moving on to Devon, beach lovers will adore the neighbouring towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, which together form the Torbay area known as the English Riviera. The name was coined by the Victorians, who flocked to Torbay  to "take the air", and was so named because of the mild climate and the fact that palm trees grow naturally there. All in all there are twenty separate beaches along the 22 miles of South Devon coastline incorporating the Riviera, so whether you prefer wide open spaces, or more secluded coves with rock pools to explore, you will find what you are looking for. Traditionally, Torquay was seen as the quieter, more genteel resort, whilst Paignton was busier with more activities for children and teenagers, whilst Brixham is still a working fishing village, so there really is something for everyone.

 Croyde

 Finally, if you like your beaches wide and sandy, with many opportunities for sporting activities, then North Devon is the place for you. The fishing village of Croyde has developed into one of the UK's major surfing centres, with it's wide expanse of sand backed by dunes, making it an ideal surfing venue for beginners and more experienced surfers. The nearby beaches of Saunton Sands with three miles of golden sand, and Baggy Point are also popular with surfers, as is Woolacombe Bay, which is also a more traditional seaside resort catering for all the family. North Devon Beaches are renowned for their cleanliness and safety, making them ideal for children and sportsmen and women alike.

 All in all, if you are looking for a beach holiday in he UK this year, you cannot go wrong heading or the Devon and Dorset area. You are bound to find something there for you. 

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