You’re never too far from the sea in Britain and, at almost 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometres), the coastline is one of the longest and most diverse in the world for the size of country. There is so much to see and do on Britain’s coast, whether you are looking for long golden beaches, rugged cliffs, pretty fishing villages or vibrant seaside resorts. Here is a selection of our favourite places.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

Marloes Sands © Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The UK’s only coastal National Park, the Pembrokeshire Coast in south west Wales is breathtakingly beautiful. The best way to enjoy the spectacular scenery is from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, a 186 mile (299 kilometre) trail which covers almost every kind of maritime landscape, from steep limestone cliffs to sandstone bays, and from volcanic headlands to beaches, estuaries and flooded glacial valleys. And you don’t just need to take our word for it, National Geographic named the Pembrokeshire Coast as one of the best coastal destinations in the world!

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

St Michael’s Mount © VisitBritain / Jason Hawkes

A small island near the tip of Cornwall, St Michael’s Mount is topped with a church and castle, and can be reached by causeway at low tide. Once the site of a medieval monastery, St Michael’s Mount is the Cornish counterpart of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, and was given to the Benedictine religious order there by Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England. Today the island boasts a vibrant community, with its ancient castle, tropical gardens, quaint harbour and a village which is home to about 30 residents. A visit to St Michael’s Mount it truly magical!

Tobermory, Mull, Scotland

Tobermory, Island of Mull © VisitBritain

The main town on the island of Mull, just off the west coast of Scotland, Tobermory is a picture-postcard village surrounded by wooded hills, with brightly coloured buildings lining the main street. The bustling harbour is always busy with fishing boats, yachts and a regular ferry to the mainland. One of the premier wildlife-watching destinations in the UK, the town offers a range of boat trips and excursions, allowing visitors to enjoy close up views of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and numerous seabirds. For those who like to enjoy a little adventure on their tours, a visit to Tobermory should not be missed!

Whitby, North Yorkshire

Whitby, North Yorkshire

A traditional seaside town on the north east coast of England, Whitby is probably best known these days for its associations with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Captain James Cook, one of the world’s greatest navigators. The ruined Gothic abbey on the East Cliff, overlooking the town, was the inspiration for Stoker’s classic novel, while James Cook lived in the town in the mid-18th century, when he was an apprentice seaman. In the old town beneath the abbey, a maze of alleyways and narrow streets runs down to the busy quayside. What’s more, Whitby is the perfect place to enjoy traditional British fish and chips!

Jurassic Coast, Dorset

Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast © VisitBritain / Rag’n’Drone Man

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world renowned Jurassic Coast stretches from Devon to Dorset along the south coast of England. Famous for its unique geology, revealing 185 million years of the Earth’s history, it is one of the world’s richest sites for prehistoric remains – and a magnet for fossil hunters! Dotted with amazing natural landmarks, such as Chesil Beach, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, there are also many pretty seaside towns to explore, such as Lyme Regis with its Jane Austen connections and Weymouth, venue for the sailing events at the 2012 Olympics.

Clovelly, Devon

Clovelly, Devon

If there is a perfect image of a traditional English fishing village, then Clovelly must be it. This ancient port in Devon, with its steep cobbled streets and flower-strewn cottages, was once in the possession of King William the Conqueror and, in fact, the privately owned village has been associated with just three families in its entire 800 year history. Clinging to the precipitous cliffside, road vehicles are not allowed into the village, and only donkeys and hand-pulled sledges are used to transport goods along the narrow lanes. On a clear day, the views from the village across the Bristol Channel towards Wales are sensational!

Brighton, East Sussex

Brighton Pier © VisitBritain

The jewel in the crown of British seaside resorts is Brighton, in East Sussex on the south coast of England, just an hour’s drive from London. Brighton developed as a fashionable destination in the 18th century when the Prince Regent, later King George IV, chose to spend time in the town and commissioned the Royal Pavilion, noted for its striking Indo-Islamic exterior – a must see for visitors! As well as its distinctive Victorian piers and hotels, the lively town boasts The Lanes, a quirky shopping and leisure district near the seafront which follows the narrow alleyways of the original fishing village, and a lively music and arts scene.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Britain taking in these, and some of the other many amazing places on Britain’s coast, please do contact our friendly team today.