Somerset cottages by a sandy beach

Although more diminutive than its West Country neighbours, the Somerset coast punches above its weight in terms of beguiling beaches and pure seaside panache.

Burham on Sea main beach boasts an award winning beach has got all the traditional beach holiday activities on offer from donkey rides to an esplanade with cafes and amusements. There’s even a delightful children’s paddling pool for use in the summer months making this a truly family-friendly holiday destination.

A holiday cottage near the sandy beach at Minehead offers diverting seaside charms and the wealth of choice in cafes, pubs and restaurants you’d expect from a world-class seaside resort. The long promenade along the top of the beach allows you to complement your day on the sand with a spot of seaside shopping.

If you’re after a sandy beach with a trendy twist a cottage in Western-super-Mare makes for a perfect holiday destination. The summer sees the town host many live music events right on its sandy beach, as well as the world-renowned Sand Sculpture Festival: perfect for groups of holiday makers looking for the buzz of a seaside town on short breaks as well as remaining a great family friendly self-catering choice.

Facing out into the Bristol Channel, the Somerset waters are consequently warmer than most in the UK and generally more tranquil. However, although expansive and idyllic, the tidal range along this coast is significant: often the sea will be very far away, across mudflats, at low tide on even the county’s most attractive sandy beaches.