It’s raining outside, and we’re missing the California beaches! Spurred by a long discussion about deep-fried snickers and hot dogs at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, I’ve decided to investigate the UK’s beach scene (hey, we’re surrounded by miles and miles of coastline here too!). And, luckily, the UK turns out to have quite the selection of coastal spots for us sun-hungry Californians to choose from as the weather heats up this summer.

Blackpool's Pleasure Beach - Jon's Pics

It may not be Coney Island or the Boardwalk, but it looks pretty close! The Pleasure Beach Amusement Park in Blackpool, England features over 125 rides and attractions with some beautiful coastline views. And for you thrill seekers, twelve roller coasters, (woohoo!) including the one of the last “Wild Mouse” rides in operation, a neck-bending series of bunny hops and flat turns. Accessible via the Blackpool Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour, I can’t wait for an afternoon of sun and fun here (I just hope they have funnel cakes!)

For an active afternoon, check out Lunan Bay in Angus, Scotland, a short hop from the East Coast line train service, this beautiful beach has everything from castle ruins (the 15th century remains of Red Castle to be exact) to surfing and kayaking. Try finding that combination in California! Sounds like the perfect place for an afternoon of adventure.

Or for those of you who have managed to mature beyond your teenage years, how about a week-long tour of the Scottish highlands? Don’t expect any nude sunbathers here, but the area does feature almost anything else you might be looking for in a summer holiday. See everything from white sandy beaches to lochs (no, Nessy, I promise!) and the forests of Cairngorm National Park.

Bournemouth Seafront - Jim Linwood

And, finally, for the more traditional beachgoer, the Bournemouth coastline stretches over three-miles and offers a beautiful promenade overlooking the sand and surf.  With warm water (usually 20 degrees or higher in the summer), this beach in one of England’s best spots to spend an afternoon in the warm British sun. (And yes, Bournemouth is the Sandbourne region that appears in Thomas Hardy novels, for all of you English majors!)

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