Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside!

The North East may be notorious across England as a place of bad weather, but that doesn’t stop the region from having great beaches and seaside towns for those occasional sunny spells!

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, like Scarborough, is a tourist haven yet it retains a more authentic seaside town feel. Since it is less commercialised compared to Scarborough it remains a popular choice with surfers and fishermen. The beach itself has a few rocky patches as you get further away from the main beachfront so best to grab a spot near the pier. To learn more about Saltburn-by-the-Sea check out ‘Sea, sand, and surf (sun is optional)’.

Good for: walks, dogs, surfing, fishing

Scarborough

If you have read ‘The two sides of Scarborough’ piece on this website you will know that Scarborough has a North and South Bay with Scarborough Castle in the middle. There is more detail on the difference of the two sides in the mentioned article, but either side has a good beachfront. The North Bay, a blue flag beach, is less populated while the South Bay is more touristy. 

Good for: walks, sun bathing, arcades, Scarborough Castle

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Whitby

More famous for the setting of Bram Stoker’s Draculaand the gothic Whitby Abbey, Whitby is a small fishing port town surrounded by the North York Moors National Park. The River Esk cuts Whitby in half allowing many small boats to port themselves in the harbour. The beach here is not itself a reason to visit unless you live nearby and fancy a beach walk with your sea-crazy dog. Instead, come for the feel of a quirky British town. Sample fish and chips, indulge in a few arcades, take the Dracula Experience tour – and of course snap a couple pictures to share!

Good for: walks, dogs, arcades, Dracula

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Redcar

On the opposite end of the spectrum to Whitby, Redcar is placed here purely as a beach destination. It is honestly not the most ‘Instagrammable’ place on this list, but the sand is soft and it is very quiet compared to other beaches along the North East coast. You also get a real feel for the North East as you can see industrial plants in the distance. Redcar is also part of a long stretch of coastline that connects it to Marske-on-Sea and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. 

Good for: dogs, horses, families, walks

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Notable mention: Sandsend

Sandsend is a popular choice for locals since it can be a little quieter than bigger coastal towns nearby. It has a good atmosphere as its seclusion creates a cove-like feeling. However, it did not officially make the list as it is quite a rocky beach.