Thousands of travellers from around the globe are now stuck in the UK due to the recent Icelandic vocanic ash cloud. It is feared that the concentration of fine ash could act just like glass when entering the jet engines of airliners, resulting in horrible tragedies and loss of life. Now that you are stuck, what can you do with all those hours — and possibly days — of waiting for travel to be restored while stranded in the UK? Make the best of it. If you love the beach, you might want to spend some of this time enjoying fun in the sun rather than sitting in uncomfortable, boring hotels or the airport. We are highlighting some of the awesome beaches the UK offers might help people find ways to spend their time until travel begins clearing up. There’s no need to allow the volcano to stop you from enjoying yourself! 1. Bamburgh, Northumberland This beach is beautiful but even the most annoyed stranded travelers will find themselves looking landward at Bamburg beach rather than seaward because of the fabulous castle overlooking the beach. While there are numerous castles in Northumberland, the view of this castle from the beach is absolutely awesome. Plus, the beach consists of sand dunes backing an expansive golden sand beach. Where: Take the unclassified road which links Freshwater East with Stackpole; then simply follow the signs for Stackpole Quay. Source 2. Blackpool Sands, Devon Whlie waiting for your flight to be rescheduled, you could enjoy the Blackpool Sands beach on the south coast of Devin which is privately owned and family-oriented. It’s not exactly Southern California — but with no flights out of the UK, this is as close as you will get for a while. There’s a safe swimming area complete with lifeguards on patrol during summer months and a point to collect your lost child. The beach consists of fine pebbles but a sandy area has been added for those who love sand between the toes and sandcastle building. There’s a freshwater paddling pool which might be the best spot for small children. Source Where: Follow A379 from Dartmouth. Blackpool Sands is located between Stoke Fleming and Strete. 3. Lowestoft Beach, Suffolk You could mope around, letting the absence of a scheduled flight home trash your awesome vacation, or you could make the best of it while enjoying Suffolk, the eastern-most beach no the British Isles. You can even be first to catch the rays and first to get wet in the water. Lowestoft Beach has great bathing water, calm waves, a gently sloping beach shelf and lifeguards during months of summer. This family-oriented resort is busy, but wtih two piers, Claremont Pier and South Pire, a sandy beach with groynes, and a long promenade running behind the beach, there’s space for your and plenty of activities and attractions, both indoors and out. Where: South of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft is easily reached from the A12 coastal road or from in inland via the A146. Source 4. New Quay, Wales Perhaps there are better opportunities to see dolphins in the Bahamas or other Carribean Islands, but while you’re waiting for a flight to get there, your odds are pretty good at New Quay. Just take a short bus ride from the main airports in the UK and you’ll find a great beach to enjoy without even having to rent a car. While it may be not surf heaven, you’re more likely to see dolphins in these waters than in any other part of the UK. Based in New Quay, the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, operates boat excursions during summer, and you have a good odds of seeing dolphins, harbour porpoises, and grey seals. Trips fares are from £16 for adults and £8 for children aged 12 years and under. Where: Follow the A486 from A487 to New Quay. Source 5. Scarborough North Bay, Yorkshire If these recent travel delays and transportation cancellations have got you down, unwind from the stress of the past few days in Scarborough North Bay. As far back as 1667, visitors travelled to Scarborough for the spring water’s health benefits, just as they travelled to other spas such as Buxton or Bath. The ongoing interest in sea water’s health benefits made sure that Scarborough continues to be a great beach escape today. The sea water meets safe bathing regulations and lifeguards patrol the beach in summer. You’ll really love Scarborough’s tradition of healthful bathing. Where: From the north and south, approach from A165 or from the West approach via A170 and A64. Source 6. Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall Stranded travelers hoping the volcanic ash settles soon can travel just a few miles east of New Quay and escape the crowds at the Bedruthan Steps. Speaking of volcanos, this beach ironicly consists of volcanic rock stacks, rising from the beach like small mountains, providing a wondreful venue as you walk along the fine white sand along the rugged coastline. Be sure to be cautious of waves and strong undercurrent here and not that swimming is not permitted for this safety reason. The National Trust has created paths on the cliff tops to limit visitor-caused damage The name of this beach refers to the steep, treacherous, rough-cut steps which allowed beach access in Victorian times. Even today, the steps are steep, so be cautious is you have health issues. For more details: www.visitcornwall.com. Source 7. Blackpool, Lancashire You can’t take an airliner ride right now due to huge ash clouds from the volcano causing safety concerns, but you can take a ride on The Ride: Ice Blast, Big Dipper rollercoasters, and enjoy lively puts in Blackpool, Lancashire. Thrills like Kiss-Me-Quick hats, candy floss, randy postcards, rock sticks, deckchairs, even donkey rides await you. Escape the discomfort of the airport at the bargain B&Bs, play penny-drop gaims and much more. This is really a let-it-all-hang-out British seaside break as you wait for your flight to be rescheduled. Source 8. Southwold, Suffolk While Gordon Brown wasn’t stranded by a volcano, last summer after his meeting in London with Barack Obamah took a holiday in July to Southwold. Perhaps Tony Blair, during his days as Prime Minister, has more exotic EU holiday choices such as Barbados, Florida, Tuscany, and Gascony, but Brown decided to enjoy this small, quaint resort on the UK seaside. Boasting an attractive sandy beach and a lots of charm, you’ll find pubs with locally brewed, truly excellent Adnams Beer, delis, fashion boutiques, and good seafood eateries. Considered “Hampstead-on-Sea”, the popularity of this resort with North Londoners have been on the increase. Details: www.southwold.info. Source 9. Beer to Branscombe, Devon During a traveler’s nightmare such as this volcanic eruption, you can enjoy beer and country walks while waiting for things to return to normal. The picturesque villages of Beer and Branscombe for part of the well-loved South West Coast Path. This route allows travelers to follow a cliff-top path coastside where walkers can enjoy fabulous views of the sea from Portland Bill in the east to Torbay in the west, ending a Bascombe’s gorgeous pebble beach. Where: Beer is located to the west of Lyme Regis. From the A3052 take the B3174 to Beer. For information call 01392 383560 or visit www.southwestcoastpath.com. Source 10. Portland Harbour, Dorset While stranded in the UK, whether trying to get to Europe, the United States, or elsewhere, have some watersports fun in Portland Harbour. There’s scuba diving, kayaking, kite surfing, sailing, and windsurfing available. During the 2012 London Summer Olympics, this will be the venue of the sailing events hosted by the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, so you might want to include a sailing lesson since all levels are available. Where: follow the A354 from Weymouth to Portland. As you approach Portland, follow ‘Sailing Academy’ signs. Source 11. Skegness, Lincolnshire Those in the UK have been escaping to Skegness since the first Butlins resort (www.butlins.com) opened in 1936 and you can escape the airport and relax by going to “Skeggy” while you wait for the end of the travel cancellations caused by the Icelandic volcanism. Amusement arcades, fish’n'chip shops, fairground rides, grazy golf courses and lots of fun pubs abound on the main strip to help you pass the time. Or maybe you’d prefer to take a donkey ride, sun in a deckchair, do some 10-pin bowling, or enjoy the pier. The six miles of sandy beaches offer a wonderful experience. The jolly fisherman, pictured skipping alnog the beach, dates from a 1908 Northern Railway advertisting campaign. Details: www.visitskegness.co.uk. Source 12. Corblets, Alderney You might as well enjoy your extra time in the UK since there are almost no flights out until the volcanic ash settles. Visit the imposing ramparts of 19th-century Fort Corblets which overlook the eastern end of a sandy, sheltered bay. Enjoy the beachside clear blue seas, rocky outcrops, vast marine life, golden sand, and rock pool treasure hunts. Corblets faces the English Channel but misses the easterly winds, providing a great surfing, bodyboarding, and windsurfing venue on Alderney. Yet, it is frequently quite and unsullied, making is a great spot for your unexpected vacation extension. Information: 01481 822994, visitalderney.com. Source 13. Botany Bay, Kent No matter where you are from, you like have heard of Botany Bay. There are at least four by this name in the UK. While awaiting new travel confirmations, enjoy the milky blue see, fantastic rock formations and expanse of golden sand. It’s a great stop for swimming and you can capture crabs, starfish and cuttlefish in the rockpool if you purchase an inexpensive net. Information: 0870 264 6111, visitthanet.co.uk. Source 14. Rhossili Bay, Swansea For adventure to get your mind off your travel connection woes cause by the volcanic ash spreading from Iceland, venture out to this steep path down to the crescent-shaped Rhossill Bay, offering breathtaking views across the Atlantic Ocean. The walk is rather difficult which cause this beach to be frequently quite. At the south end, the mile-long tidal island of Worm’s Head rises from the water like a beast from the sea. Be sure not ot miss the wooden ribs of the shipwreck Helvetia, destroyed in 1887, and the remains of the City of Bristol which was sunk in 1840. See them at the north end of the beach during low tide. For information: 01792 390707, www.visitswanseabay.com. Source 15. Holkham, Norfolk Before your flight home is confirmed, visit the setting of the last scene in the movie Shakesspeare in Love, in which Gwyneth Paltrow walked across the Holkahm sands. Absolutely perfectly romantic and isloated, it’s great for sunning, picnicking, horseback riding, and many other fun activities you can image for a somewhat lonely beach. You’ll love the pine tree fringe and astounding dunes which are part of England’s biggest nature reserve. After explorations are complete, enjoy the renowned Victoria Hotel. For more info: www.visiteastofengland.com. Source Bonus: Even volcanic ash clouds can have silver linings for some – the National Trust offers free entry to its properties to any foreign travellers stranded in the UK.Travellers must arrive at a National Trust property with a flight ticket from the affected period together with their passport.So you will have free access to some awesome UK attractions.
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