British people may like to complain about the weather, but when the sun is shining there is no shortage of places to visit no matter where you are in the UK. The best places are outdoors and there is a wide range of options including beaches, gardens, national parks, nature trails, theme parks, festivals, outdoor markets, fairs and more. The following are just a few suggestions of places you might like to visit when the weather is fine.

Beaches of course are a popular destination when the weather is good and the UK has many beautiful beaches. Some beaches are also suitable for water sports or wildlife watching. Some of the best beaches around the UK are:

Bamburgh, Northumberland – the beach at Bamburgh is undoubtedly beautiful, but part of its attraction is that it is overlooked by Bamburgh Castle. The beach itself consists of golden sands and is backed by sand dunes. It can be found on the B1342 road that links Budle and Seahouses.

Sand Castles in front of real Castles. Cool!

Blackpool Sands, Devon – the beach is privately owned and lies on the south coast of Devon. It is ideal for families as there is a safe swimming area with lifeguards in attendance. A sandy area has been added to the mainly pebbly beach and there is a paddling pool for small children. It is located on the A379 between Stoke Fleming and Strete.

Looks like somewhere really, really posh?

Llanbedrog, Gwynedd – the Llyn Coastal Path in North Wales includes a 16km stretch between Llanbedrog and Chwilog. With 75% of the walk being beach a good place to start is Llanbedrog Beach which is owned by the National Trust. The beach is to be found on the A499 between Pwlheli and Abersoch.

There is some really nice landscape in Wales

West Sands, Scotland – this beach is considered to be one of the busiest beaches in Scotland. The wide sandy beach stretches for miles, making it ideal for sports such as kite-surfing, buggying and windsurfing. Equally impressive is the historic university town of St. Andrews and the world famous golf course which form a backdrop for the beach. St. Andrews is well signposted and can be reached on the A91, A915 and A917.

What you don’t see here is that it’s -34

Porthcurno, Cornwall – is a beautiful secluded cove with fine pale sand and turquoise water. Tall granite cliffs protect the beach from the wind. Porthcurno also boasts the stunning Minack open-air theatre which is cut into the granite cliffs and has amazing sea views. Performances are staged at the theatre throughout the summer months. To reach Portcurno take the B3315 or the B3283 from the A30.

Cornwall is a sufers’ paridise.

Scarborough North Bay, Yorkshire – Scarborough has long been a popular seaside destination. As far back as the 1660s people would travel to the town to partake of the spa waters. Later people became interested in the benefits of sea water and so Scarborough continued to attract visitors. Scarborough can be reached from the north and south via the A165 or from the west by the A170 and A64.

Scarborough - craggy!

New Quay, Wales – if you want to see wild dolphins, grey seals or porpoises then New Quay near Cardigan is the place to go. New Quay is home to the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre which organises boat trips during the summer months. New Quay can be reached from the A487 via the A486.

Wales. Again!

Portland Harbour, Dorset – is a Mecca for people who enjoy water sports. Wind-surfing, sailing, kayaking, kite-surfing and scuba diving are all on offer. The harbour will be hosting the London 2012 Olympic sailing events and the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy offers sailing lessons for all abilities. Portland Harbour can be reached by following the A354 from Weymouth to Portland.

Nope, not Spain, but Dorset

Aberdeen, Scotland – Aberdeen is famous as the Granite City and for its links with the oil industry. What is less well known is its beach which stretches for two miles north of the city. The beach is sandy and under the right conditions the waves attract plenty of surfers. Aberdeen can be reached from the A90 to the south and north and from the A93 to the west.

If you’d like cool Castles, head up to Aberdeen

Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland – located on the Atlantic coast this beach has two miles of beautiful white sand and dunes. It is home to rare insects, butterflies, orchids and birds. Surfers can hire surfboards from the shop on the beach and windsurfing and jet skis are also available. The beach is four miles north-west of Coleraine and can be reached via the A2 or B185.

Why not try Northern Ireland?

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