Best beaches and parks for summer days out
With the end of school term fast approaching, summer days out only are a hair’s breadth away. Sunny starts and sundowners mean that it is easily our favourite time of year.
And with the Great British weather being surprisingly hot, sunny and calm this year, almost like being in Greece, it’s the perfect year to visit some of the UK’s best beaches.
A fascination with Neoprene
In fact, sea and sand were the inspiration for the start of our award-winning business. As a keen surfer, product designer and Dad, our founder, Paul had a lightbulb moment; why couldn’t wetsuit material, neoprene, work for baby feeding bibs too?
After all, it’s stretchy and flexible, washable, quick drying, and super comfortable. Perfect for children! So that’s what he tried, and Bibetta was born, and since then we’ve applied neoprene to more baby accessories than you might think.
The great outdoors
With our family surfing roots in mind, and as we think about ways to keep the kids busy, we’ve turned out attention back to the beach to give you some ideas of family friendly summer days out.
Sandy beaches. Forget dreaming of far flung Caribbean islands and think closer to home. Whilst we might not be able to guarantee the sunshine, the UK has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world. Kynance Cove in Cornwall is one of the world’s most spectacular beaches where turquoise seas meet a white sandy beach interspersed with colourful serpentine rock stacks. Holywell Bay near Newquay offers golden sand backed with spectacular caves, and you may even spot film crews filming Poldark there! Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is recognised as one of world’s best in Passport Magazine’s list of top 25 beaches across the globe, whilst Scotland has many tropical looking beaches with white sandy bays such as Luskentyre in the Outer Hebrides. The UK’s Atlantic coast also has some of the best surfing beaches in the world, such as at Putsborough beach in North Devon.
Pebbly seasides. Sand not your thing? Head to Brighton beach and seafront for miles of pebbles with the famous Brighton Pier as a backdrop, and all the usual seaside fun as well as an eclectic fusion of fun and culture.
Alternative beaches. You could visit a beautiful, natural river-side beach which sometimes appear on rivers and also on the sides of reservoirs, but always be careful near water, be aware of currents and keep a close eye on childen.
Nature reserves. If you’re lucky enough to live by one of the UK’s nature reserves or reservoirs, you may discover a beach there too. Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk offers a fantastically mixed environment including salt marshes, sand dunes, woodland, a beach and grazing marsh and that coastal area a hot-spot for seeing grey seals and birdwatching.
City beaches. For the city dwellers amongst us, cities often cater for our desire to be beside the seaside offering custom man-made beaches in the centre of town! The South Bank in London has a pop-up beach for summer where little ones can play, and there are many more of these across the country.
Even if there isn’t a beach, look for deckchairs set up around film screens, for a piece of tranquility in amongst the hustle and bustle. Local websites and social media groups will publish details of these local attractions opening near you as the holidays begin to get your dosage of sand.
And if the seaside is still out of reach, the park is a fantastic choice. We are so lucky in the UK to have amazing parks on nearly every corner in towns, cities and villages. 22nd – 29th July is National Parks Week which champions all that is unique and special about National Parks. So pack a picnic, grab a rug and head to one of the UK’s national areas of outstanding beauty, or simply your nearest play park for some good old family fun a bit closer to home.
