Little known English beach inside a national park that only locals know about
TO GO to the seaside, holidaymakers in the Lake District often head to Whitehaven and Haverigg Beach – despite the national park having its very own beach.
Located in the south-western corner of the national park lies Silecroft Beach.
According to travel writer Helen Pickles, the beach is likely to be crowd-free with hardly any other tourists visiting the secluded spot.
Writing in The i Newspaper, she said: “But Silecroft, in the south-western corner of the national park has a couple of miles of sand and pebble beach that you’re unlikely to share with more than a handful of walkers (perhaps on the England Coast Path), bird-watchers (particularly for terns, oystercatchers and ringed plovers) and some hardy wild-swimmers”.
The best time to visit the beach is when the tide is low, because a vast expanse of sand is then visible.
At this time, the beach is ideal for activities such as kite surfing and horse riding.
Behind the beach, Black Combe Fell dominates the skyline – a barren, hilly, landscape that’s of interest to geologists and other scientists.
Meanwhile, another area close to the beach has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with natterjack toads spawning in the area in the spring.
Visitors who head to the beach on a fine day will be able to see the Isle of Man from the coast as well as Morecambe Bay.
Silecroft Beach also has its own beach cafe where beach-goers can order bacon butties, baguettes and burgers.
Car parking is also available at the beach and there’s also a caravan park nearby for those holidaymakers who want to stay overnight.
Operated by Leisure Parks, Silecroft Country Park lies just 100m away from the little-known English beach.
There’s also the Pennington, a former coaching inn turned B&B where rooms start from £118 per night.
The Pennington is a 20-minute drive from Silecroft Beach.
Attractions in the local area include Dalton Castle, Muncaster Castle and Silecroft Golf Club.
Silecroft Beach has been praised by visitors online.
One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “A fabulous beach and a fabulous beach cafe.
“We had the pleasure of watching the heavy horses in the sea and on the beach”.
Another person added: “A very clean beach with shingle at the top then a vast expanse of sand when the tide is low”.
A third person wrote: “A clean and family-friendly beach. It was a hot sunny day when we visited, but still space for everyone.”
Read More about London's Hidden Beach
PEOPLE in London often travel to Brighton or Bournemouth for a day at the seaside, but one suburban borough has a spot of its own.
Ruislip Lido Beach, found in Hillingdon, in West London has stretches of sand and palm trees.
The beach can be reached by tube from London.
Those looking for a day out at the beach will need to take a Metropolitan Line tube from central London to Ruislip before hopping on a bus to Ruislip Lido.
While swimming is not permitted at present, daytrippers can still sunbathe on the sandy shores.
There’s also the Ruislip Lido Railway that takes visitors around the lake and through the woods.
Meanwhile, this hidden UK beach can only be reached on foot.
And this secret beach in London has amazing views of Tower Bridge and The Shard.