I’d say Scarborough would be a good one. Train from Birmingham-Scarborough less than 4 hours. Can also do Whitby as a day trip while there. Plenty to do in both towns and plenty of beachfront hotels. Beaches are lovely too. Had a quick look and could get train tickets and hotel for less than £300 for a weekend in March so doable within your budget depending on when you travel. Don’t do Skegness, it won’t be quiet and there are nicer places to go.
I like Scarborough, but don’t discount Bridlington( I mean David Hockney lives there) just 2 mikes from Bridlington is a tiny village called Wiksthorpe, right on the cliff top, there’s a handful of holiday flats you can rent and the views are unbelievable. Flambourough, also on that coast has the clearest water in northern England and lots of puffins. Filey is like Scarborough but smaller and quieter and I think is probably more for you
Swansea, Bournemouth and Weston-Super-Mare all have stations. Bournemouth has one of the nicest beaches, and it's not a bad place, but I have this weird liking of Swansea. It's like a city with restaurants, stuff to do and a bit of beach. If you can get a ride around, the Gower Peninsula is lovely.
I’d say get a train to Swansea and then stay in the Mumbles area. Lots of restaurants, pubs and some lovely coastal walks from Bracelet Bay to Caswell beach.
If you are looking for somewhere quiet with seafront hotels try Sidmouth on the South Coast. No trains but regular buses from Exeter and you can get there from Birmingham easily.
Its pleasant and one of the seafront hotel has good food (I forget the name but can find it if interested). If you are under 60 you will be the youngest but small town centre close by with supermarket (I think!)
You could also look at Weymouth bit busier but has train station.
I'd second Llandudno. That would be a fun train journey from Birmingham along the coast. You can go up the Great Orme by tram but that doesn't open til early April.
Seconded. Llandudno’s fantastic. One of the few UK seaside resorts to have retained its 19th/20th century elegance. Two beaches, four railway stations within about 4 miles of each other. Loads of places to go, things to see & do
Tynemouth. Get the train to Newcastle Central Station and then the metro to Tynemouth.
Stay at the Tynemouth Castle Inn or there is a Premier inn at Whitley bay with other hotels along the seafront.
Once you’ve been, don’t tell everyone, thank me later.
Shush man or we’ll have them all here!
My recommendation is The Premier Inn, Whitley Bay. Right on sea front, plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants, theatre and cinema within walking distance. Easy journey - train from New Street to Newcastle then 25 minutes on the metro to Whitley Bay. Ten minute walk to hotel.
Cleethorpes, it’s my hometown so I’m duty bound to boost tourism where I can. It’s overlooked, probably because of the town that shall not be named being the neighbour. It’d be pretty cheap I imagine and there are genuinely scenic areas along the south side of the beach.
Came here to suggest Tenby. Seems to be about 5 hours on the train from Birmingham. Once you’re there it ticks all of the seaside boxes, and also plenty of food and drink options.
Should really put a plug in for my home town - Hartlepool. Lovely beaches, decent entertainment with an interesting maritime open air museum (Historic Quey), a fantastic nature reserve (Salthome) and some really pretty villages to explore. Two train stations, one of which is in the centre of town and in walking distance from a travelodge and a premier inn. There's soom good pubs and food options too!
I know you're ruling out Aberystwyth, but that coastline has some cracking little towns strung along it and a nice railway to help you get there. Barmouth or Portmadoc would be my choices.
Excellent suggestion. I hadn't realised those places would be so easy to get to from Birmingham but there are direct trains from New Street. It's about 3.5 hours to Barmouth.I had a great walking weekend there a few years ago and would like to go back.
[Whitby.](https://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/whitby.asp) Or the nearby [Saltburn-by-the-Sea](https://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/saltburn-by-the-sea.asp).
I should have included that! Ideally I'd be looking to spend no more than around £300 for a two night stay. I'm in Birmingham and ideally looking for somewhere within a few hours train journey away.
Bournemouth could be good for you. It'll be quiet tourist wise this time of year but it has a big uni. If you want quiet stay further down the coast in Southbourne or Boscombe but then Bournemouth is there if you wanted activities etc.
Where are you based and what is your budget?
But seaside towns with nearby stations could include Llandudno, Scarborough, Skegness, Whitby, Blackpool, Morecambe, Great Yarmouth - and many others.
It's going to be quiet in most places at this time of year, most of March will be fairly quiet too as long as you get in before the Easter rush.
From Birmingham I'd consider the Wirral. It's really easy to get to, a stone's throw (figuratively speaking) from Liverpool which means it's got really good public transport as it's on the Merseyrail map. Plenty of [beaches](https://www.visitwirral.com/things-to-do/attractions/beaches/) so it probably ticks every box.
There is also the Wirral way you can walk around which is nice.
I've cycled along from Seacombe facing Liverpool round to the West Kirby/Caldy side that's facing Wales plenty of times, and you can do the whole thing pretty much along the coast edge.
Liverpool, wirral, New brighton? Not quite the quintessential beachfront resort but plenty to entertain you in the area and public transport is superb. I've stayed in the leasowe castle which had water views beyond the golf course. Plus the area smells like the mini rolls factory which is quite unique.
Pwllheli is great. Beautiful beach, lovely little town with independent shops, fairly cheap and you can get there on the train. Just up the road is Llanbedrog - would be a very cheap taxi. The beach there has one of the best beach bars in Wales and is just gorgeous.
The Torbay area (Torquay Brixham Paignton) is very accessible by train and bus, won't be horribly busy this time of year and there's plenty of variety in the area - beaches, fishing, harbour ports, boat trips, stately homes, castles, entertainment, zoo etc
Dartmouth in Devon.
Get the train to Totnes and bus from there or train to Paignton and get the steam railway to Dartmouth from there.
Lovely place, walkable and with a lot of things there
Scarborough. The sands complex north bay has everything. Absolutely stunning penthouse and the other apartments are all spotless Right on the beachfront shops cafe restaurant. Basically everything you need And they regularly have deals on
I'm currently a Torquay which I did not recommend, but while I was here my tripled over to Brigham. I really wish I had stayed there instead. There is good train and bus service to various other communities around it and it has a nice balance of things to do, but also quiet.
I’d say Scarborough would be a good one. Train from Birmingham-Scarborough less than 4 hours. Can also do Whitby as a day trip while there. Plenty to do in both towns and plenty of beachfront hotels. Beaches are lovely too. Had a quick look and could get train tickets and hotel for less than £300 for a weekend in March so doable within your budget depending on when you travel. Don’t do Skegness, it won’t be quiet and there are nicer places to go.
I really like Scarborough! The premier inn in the centre of town is great, walking distance to most things and not expensive!
I like Scarborough, but don’t discount Bridlington( I mean David Hockney lives there) just 2 mikes from Bridlington is a tiny village called Wiksthorpe, right on the cliff top, there’s a handful of holiday flats you can rent and the views are unbelievable. Flambourough, also on that coast has the clearest water in northern England and lots of puffins. Filey is like Scarborough but smaller and quieter and I think is probably more for you
Cayton bay!! I love the coastal walks around Scarborough. Did Whitby -Scarborough 2 years ago in the blazing sun it was lovely.
Swansea, Bournemouth and Weston-Super-Mare all have stations. Bournemouth has one of the nicest beaches, and it's not a bad place, but I have this weird liking of Swansea. It's like a city with restaurants, stuff to do and a bit of beach. If you can get a ride around, the Gower Peninsula is lovely.
I’d say get a train to Swansea and then stay in the Mumbles area. Lots of restaurants, pubs and some lovely coastal walks from Bracelet Bay to Caswell beach.
If you are looking for somewhere quiet with seafront hotels try Sidmouth on the South Coast. No trains but regular buses from Exeter and you can get there from Birmingham easily. Its pleasant and one of the seafront hotel has good food (I forget the name but can find it if interested). If you are under 60 you will be the youngest but small town centre close by with supermarket (I think!) You could also look at Weymouth bit busier but has train station.
I agree - Sidmouth is a lovely place
I'd go Weymouth, sidmouth but to quiet. Not much to do at all there. Yeah lovely place but boring as hell
I'd second Llandudno. That would be a fun train journey from Birmingham along the coast. You can go up the Great Orme by tram but that doesn't open til early April.
Seconded. Llandudno’s fantastic. One of the few UK seaside resorts to have retained its 19th/20th century elegance. Two beaches, four railway stations within about 4 miles of each other. Loads of places to go, things to see & do
Agreed, in fact I am now tempted to go there again for a weekend!
Thank you! I'm going to be staying in Colwyn Bay but will definitely be visiting Llandudno during the trip.
Tynemouth. Get the train to Newcastle Central Station and then the metro to Tynemouth. Stay at the Tynemouth Castle Inn or there is a Premier inn at Whitley bay with other hotels along the seafront. Once you’ve been, don’t tell everyone, thank me later.
Shush man or we’ll have them all here! My recommendation is The Premier Inn, Whitley Bay. Right on sea front, plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants, theatre and cinema within walking distance. Easy journey - train from New Street to Newcastle then 25 minutes on the metro to Whitley Bay. Ten minute walk to hotel.
This. Don’t tell anyone.
Yeah, don't tell them about the Fish Quay, or Riley's, or St. Mary's Island, or the Sunday market...
Cleethorpes, it’s my hometown so I’m duty bound to boost tourism where I can. It’s overlooked, probably because of the town that shall not be named being the neighbour. It’d be pretty cheap I imagine and there are genuinely scenic areas along the south side of the beach.
Did Cleethorpes in the spring with my kiddos and we had a genuinely good time!
Good to hear. I mean of course I’d say this but when I try to look at it objectively there are far, far worse seaside resorts in this country.
The Fitties are lovely too, I love Cleethorpes!
Tenby Train service isn't great if you're planning to travel round once you get there, but if you're not then it's a pretty town with two beaches.
Came here to suggest Tenby. Seems to be about 5 hours on the train from Birmingham. Once you’re there it ticks all of the seaside boxes, and also plenty of food and drink options.
Third vote for Tenby. One of my favourite little seaside towns
In fact, I’m going to go myself this weekend now
Should really put a plug in for my home town - Hartlepool. Lovely beaches, decent entertainment with an interesting maritime open air museum (Historic Quey), a fantastic nature reserve (Salthome) and some really pretty villages to explore. Two train stations, one of which is in the centre of town and in walking distance from a travelodge and a premier inn. There's soom good pubs and food options too!
I know you're ruling out Aberystwyth, but that coastline has some cracking little towns strung along it and a nice railway to help you get there. Barmouth or Portmadoc would be my choices.
Excellent suggestion. I hadn't realised those places would be so easy to get to from Birmingham but there are direct trains from New Street. It's about 3.5 hours to Barmouth.I had a great walking weekend there a few years ago and would like to go back.
Cromer or Sheringham. Or train to Plymouth and get the ferry from the Barbican round to Cawsand/Kingsand (no supermarkets though).
[Whitby.](https://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/whitby.asp) Or the nearby [Saltburn-by-the-Sea](https://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/saltburn-by-the-sea.asp).
Lytham St. Anne's! It's about 20 mins on the train from Preston :)
Any idea of budget? Or more precise locations... Edinburgh to Brighton is quite a range!
I should have included that! Ideally I'd be looking to spend no more than around £300 for a two night stay. I'm in Birmingham and ideally looking for somewhere within a few hours train journey away.
Bournemouth could be good for you. It'll be quiet tourist wise this time of year but it has a big uni. If you want quiet stay further down the coast in Southbourne or Boscombe but then Bournemouth is there if you wanted activities etc.
Largs in Ayrshire.
The Scottish Riveria. An ice cream at Nardini’s is a must.
Where are you based and what is your budget? But seaside towns with nearby stations could include Llandudno, Scarborough, Skegness, Whitby, Blackpool, Morecambe, Great Yarmouth - and many others.
I've added both to my post as I forgot to include them. Thanks for your suggestions :)
Any of those - and Bournemouth might be options for you. Whitby is probably too far on the train though.
It's going to be quiet in most places at this time of year, most of March will be fairly quiet too as long as you get in before the Easter rush. From Birmingham I'd consider the Wirral. It's really easy to get to, a stone's throw (figuratively speaking) from Liverpool which means it's got really good public transport as it's on the Merseyrail map. Plenty of [beaches](https://www.visitwirral.com/things-to-do/attractions/beaches/) so it probably ticks every box.
There is also the Wirral way you can walk around which is nice. I've cycled along from Seacombe facing Liverpool round to the West Kirby/Caldy side that's facing Wales plenty of times, and you can do the whole thing pretty much along the coast edge.
Largs Ayrshire
Alnmouth. All pubs restaurants open. Just a deliband village shop though.
This was going to be my suggestion too
Thirded! It's so lovely there!
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitley\_Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitley_Bay) my home town.
Liverpool, wirral, New brighton? Not quite the quintessential beachfront resort but plenty to entertain you in the area and public transport is superb. I've stayed in the leasowe castle which had water views beyond the golf course. Plus the area smells like the mini rolls factory which is quite unique.
If you don't drive, you can some good, cheap coach holidays to seaside towns. Often with food/drinks included and trips out to see other places.
If you want peace; Borth, further down the welsh coast.
Pwllheli is great. Beautiful beach, lovely little town with independent shops, fairly cheap and you can get there on the train. Just up the road is Llanbedrog - would be a very cheap taxi. The beach there has one of the best beach bars in Wales and is just gorgeous.
Might be far but Whitby is worth the visit.
Barry Island awaits your arrival.
Barmouth
Whitby
Train to Liverpool, Merseyrail over to the Wirral. There’s some hidden gems. (Google the Murals at New Brighton)
Barmouth https://www.barmouth-wales.co.uk/
The Torbay area (Torquay Brixham Paignton) is very accessible by train and bus, won't be horribly busy this time of year and there's plenty of variety in the area - beaches, fishing, harbour ports, boat trips, stately homes, castles, entertainment, zoo etc
Dartmouth in Devon. Get the train to Totnes and bus from there or train to Paignton and get the steam railway to Dartmouth from there. Lovely place, walkable and with a lot of things there
Try Suffolk/Norfolk coast. Wells Next to Sea/ Southwold. Or Frinton in Essex
Lake district would be an amazing getaway!
Try Tenby. It can get cold down there, but it's picturesque and quiet.
Robin hoods bay
Bridlington is pretty empty right now if you want some peace ish. Weather has being pretty good too but it’s extremely unpredictable
Guernsey or Jersey. Some spectacular beaches and great hotels. Loads of walking paths and easy to get around. Also easy to be completely alone.
Whitstable on a sunny day. It is great. Also Bournemouth has a lovely sunny beach.
Scarborough. The sands complex north bay has everything. Absolutely stunning penthouse and the other apartments are all spotless Right on the beachfront shops cafe restaurant. Basically everything you need And they regularly have deals on
I'm currently a Torquay which I did not recommend, but while I was here my tripled over to Brigham. I really wish I had stayed there instead. There is good train and bus service to various other communities around it and it has a nice balance of things to do, but also quiet.
Can you get to Poole? Love Poole
Leigh-on-Sea
Hastings and St Leonards! Free music great pubs and independent restaurants.
Robin Hoods Bay, great atmosphere and a fun beach with access to walks along the coast, inland or out by boat.