Suggestions please on day trips to seaside

[goatie]

Hi folks looking for suggestions for day trips to seaside
we travel from doncaster
we like a sandy baach and mostly do the south west, (torqauy, Paignton, Weston super)
Did look at Weymouth but think the 12 stops from waterloo would make it feel like a long trip (same type of time as Torqauy but those Devon trips are about 6 stations stops)
may do a Bridlington trip
normally out from 7.00 to 2100 with 4/5 hours at beach yes I know, but train trip is part of the day
Beach & shops close to Station is a must
may just be able to 2/3 trips in before sun goes

 

[alistairlees]

Crosby, or Formby-Freshfield-Ainsdale all have good beaches and are a short walk from Merseyrail stations (a bit more in the case of Formby). Just one change at Liverpool South Parkway for you. There are shops in the villages, but not at the beaches.

 

[goatie]

not thought about that side as always frrl like I'm going home when we go to devon (don't know why just feels like home)

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Hi folks looking for suggestions for day trips to seaside

How about Alnmouth up in the North East?

Direct trains to/from Doncaster. Journey time around two hours each way.

Beach & shops close to Station is a must

Would the mile and a half into Alnmouth be too far?

 

[bspahh]

Sheringham and Cromer are nice. You can get there in ~ 4 hours from Doncaster.

If you get a ticket from Doncaster to Ely, then an Anglia Plus Day Ranger is not much extra than a through ticket to the coast. You can then travel wherever you like on Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway and Great Northern services within the Anglia Plus area. This is within the whole of Norfolk (except to Kings Lynn) and Suffolk (except to Sudbury) and to and from Cambridge and Ely.

As well as Sheringham, West Runton and Cromer, this would also let you also go to the beaches at Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, perhaps not on one day, but its nice to have the flexibility to chop and change.

 

[Farigiraf]

I agree with the Anglia Plus suggestions, especially as they are easily reachable with a change at Peterborough and then Norwich or Ipswich.

If you definitely want somewhere in the southwest that (I'm assuming) you haven't been to, I'd suggest Exmouth, which is reachable with a change at Sheffield and Exeter St Davids (unless you get one of the rare CrossCountry services from Doncaster). Can take up to 5 hours to get there depending on connections, but from what I can see there is a nice beach with a view of Dawlish Warren Spit, plenty of shops, all within walking distance of the station.
As it's an XC route, you'd need many advance single splits along the route to get even close to a reasonable fare.

 

[py_megapixel]

Scarborough is probably a good bet. You have direct trains from Doncaster which do stop quite a few times but they are comfortable and usually not too crowded. The south bay has shops right on the seafront, and the walk isn't too far from the station, though you can do the steepest part by funicular if you like.

 

[Ken H]

How about Alnmouth up in the North East?

Direct trains to/from Doncaster. Journey time around two hours each way.


Would the mile and a half into Alnmouth be too far?

There is a bus, Arriva X18. Remember Alnmouth Stn is in Hipsburn. The X18 goes on to Berwick down the coast through Craister, Seahouses, Bamburgh etc.
There is Holy Island but you will need to be a good with timetables as the 477 there has a different time table according to when high tide is!

@alistairlees mentioned Crosby. Quite a shock awaits you there. Interesting...

 

[mrcheek]

If youve done the south west, why not try the southeast?
Margate and Hastings stations are both very close to the seafront. Herne Bay is a 15-20 minute walk, but well worth it.
Broadstairs is small, but under-rated.

Barry Island is another option. It doesnt deserve the lowly reputation it has, a rather nice place.

Or you could head north, Scarborough is one of the best options. Saltburn-on-Sea and Redcar are nice too. Whitby is a great place, but the rail service is awful

East Anglia has already been mentioned. Sheringham, Cromer, Felixstowe, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, lots of options there

 

[Western 52]

How about Tenby? Lovely sandy beaches and boat trips to Caldy Island. The station is conveniently sited a short walk from the front.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

How about Tenby? Lovely sandy beaches and boat trips to Caldy Island. The station is conveniently sited a short walk from the front.

Great shout but a bit far if it's done as a day trip from Doncaster!

 

[30907]

Small point: Sheringham, Hastings and Herne Bay are pebbly above high water.

I'd second Broadstairs (beach and town), though it must be 60 years since I was last there.

 

[Western 52]

Great shout but a bit far if it's done as a day trip from Doncaster!

Ah yes, I didn't notice the Doncaster bit in the OP!

 

[swt_passenger]

Tynemouth or Whitley Bay.

 

[wilbers]

No one has mentioned Whitley Bay yet, but thats another option. Also Tynemouth in almost the same place. I did both on the same day trip a couple of years ago, though drove as far as Hexham rather than train all the way.

 

[wilbers]

LOL, no one posts it for 3 hours, then 2 of us at the same time.

 

[wilbers]

There is also the much more obvious Blackpool and Morecambe; or the less obvious and much smaller Grange-over-Sands.

Some of these could be done with a day return Doncaster-Hebden Bridge (or maybe Doncaster-Manchester Piccadilly), and a Lancashire Day Ranger, although may be slower than some other options.

 

[65477]

Slightly OT but relevant to the question.Regarding the use of a Anglia Plus. If advance tickets are booked from Doncaster to Ely and the return trip is missed due to a delay during the Anglia Plus travels, what would be the position regarding delay repay and use of the ticket on the Ely - Peterborough and Peterborough - Doncaster sections?

 

[goatie]

thanks lots of suggestions I've not thought of
Alnmouth & Tynemouth need to check how far from the station to the beach and shops (easy journey few stops)
is there much at Exmouth ? did think about Dawlish but can't see enough to keep us busy for 4 hrs or so
Cromer & Sheringham need to check how many syops on the train, Think a lot of stops makes the journey seem evem longer, ( Torquay to London is about 5 stops Weymounth is the same time BUT 12 stops)

 

[bspahh]

is there much at Exmouth ? did think about Dawlish but can't see enough to keep us busy for 4 hrs or so

Normally you could go to Exmouth, get the ferry to Starcross and then get to Dawlish as well.
However, yesterday the Exmouth-Starcross ferry posted:

Passengers please note the ferry will not be running until further notice. We’re sorry for any inconvenience we will keep this page updated.

Cromer & Sheringham need to check how many syops on the train, Think a lot of stops makes the journey seem evem longer, ( Torquay to London is about 5 stops Weymounth is the same time BUT 12 stops)

Its a nice run. The 755s are nice trains, it starts going by the river out of Norwich and turns at Cromer. At Sheringham, the station is across the road from the North Norfolk railway.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

thanks lots of suggestions I've not thought of
Alnmouth & Tynemouth need to check how far from the station to the beach and shops (easy journey few stops)

Alnmouth town centre is about a mile from the station, the beach a little further. Most of the shops/cafes/pubs are clustered along Northumberland Street in the town centre.

 

[david1212]

..... Whitby is a great place, but the rail service is awful ...

The way to do Whitby is train to Scarborough as mentioned in a post then the bus.

thanks lots of suggestions I've not thought of
...
is there much at Exmouth ?

Exmouth is a reasonable town centre, more so than Paignton that as you know basically is the one street from the station to Tesco Express one way and seafront the other. The town is back from the seafront, not that far as I recall. The station to the Marina is at most 1km. From there along the seafront / beach a walk of around 1.5km, can go further. To the end of Queens Drive is around 3km but perhaps too far on a 4-5 hour visit.

did think about Dawlish but can't see enough to keep us busy for 4 hrs or so.

There isn't. A walk up along the shops one side of the park, across the end of the park, back down to the seafront, along and around to Boat Cove and back to the Station occupies say 1 1/2 hours. To fill the remainder get back on the train to Teignmouth for a couple of hours.

Did look at Weymouth but think the 12 stops from waterloo would make it feel like a long trip (same type of time as Torquay but those Devon trips are about 6 stations stops)

Less stops and an hour from London is Brighton. From the station to the seafront is around 1km. You have the main shops plus the Laines to wander around. Also the pier to walk down as well as along the seafront. Plenty to occupy 5 or so hours. What is missing though is the sandy beach. Only at low tide is sand visible above the water line. Other resorts along the Sussex coast likewise have a predominantly pebble beach e.g. Eastbourne. Both the travel time and number of stops to all is greater than Brighton too.

Bournemouth station is well back from the town centre and beach but numerous regular bus services cover between the station and the centre so overall still significantly less travel time than Weymouth. The big plus is the sandy beach.

I do like Weymouth though. The sandy beach and town centre behind plus the station while one end is close to the seafront. Given your travel time is similar to Paignton perhaps try it even if after you decide to you the number of stops makes it seem a longer journey.

 

[Belperpete]

Must admit that my jaw dropped at the idea of Doncaster to Torquay and back as a day trip, but fair does to you if that is what rocks your boat.

Will second (third? whatever) Broadstairs. A delightful small historic town, with a good sandy beach. Also plays on its Dickens connections. Margate and Ramsgate are also worth visiting, but Broadstairs would be top. I think Southeast High Speed gets you direct to all three in short order from St Pancras, right next door to Kings Cross.

However, my recommendation would be Llandudno. Town and beach, pier, Great Orme tramway and lots more all a few minutes walk from the station. And a second glorious sandy beach if you get fed up with the first, although it is rather a long stroll (or a short bus ride) away.

Other North Wales resorts are available, but Llandudno isn't called the Queen of the resorts for nothing. But I must put in a quiet word for unsung Deganwy. A good sandy beach and promenade literally on the station doorstep, good views over to Conwy castle, and a modest little town and covered Victorian shopping arcade. A good fish and chips shop, but no amusement arcades or candyfloss stalls. I spent many happy summer holidays there as a child, watching the seaside specials heading in and out of Llandudno as I made sandcastles on the beach.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Lytham or Blackpool or Southport

 

[Harpo]

If your journey range is 5-6 hours then Borth for the beautiful unspoilt sand dunes about 2 miles away at Ynyslas.

Natural Resources Wales / Dyfi National Nature Reserve - Ynyslas Visitor Centre, near Aberystwyth

Ynyslas is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, situated midway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. Ynyslas sand dunes are the largest in Ceredigion and the estuary. Ynyslas Visitor Centre is open Easter until the end of September

naturalresources.wales

 

[childwallblues]

Crosby, or Formby-Freshfield-Ainsdale all have good beaches and are a short walk from Merseyrail stations (a bit more in the case of Formby). Just one change at Liverpool South Parkway for you. There are shops in the villages, but not at the beaches.

Merseyrail trains from Liverpool South Parkway are cuurrently running to Ormskirk so a second change at Liverpool Central is necessary. However services are every 15 minutes and it is normally same platform.

 

[goatie]

thanks for more replies
looking at Llandudno it can be 3 or 5 changes to get there so reliant on each train being on time/running
Mrs looked a videos of boradstairs and thought not a look about for 4/5 hrs in the town
its just those 12 stops that put nme off weymouth, but maybe worth a try
looking at bridlington as next trip. need to be soon as weather has changed this week

 

[Russel]

Filey would be my go to if I lived in Doncaster, lovely peaceful place and if you run out of things to do you have Scarborough 20 minutes away.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I’d third the suggestion of Tynemouth/Cullercoats/Whitley Bay. I’d generally tend towards the Tynemouth end of it, but the whole front from there north to Whitley Bay is beautiful and the Spanish City refurb is gorgeous. It isn’t technically quite on the seaside but the Fish Quay in North Shields has a nice selection of bars and restaurants too.

Merseyside has plenty of choice too. I like West Kirby but New Brighton is nice also.

 

[Kath123]

It is a shame you are so far away from Weymouth. The train station is a 5 minute walk from the beach.

Exmouth station is walking distance to the beach but personally I prefer Weymouth or Paignton. Went to Paignton earlier in the year. Took me about 10 minutes to walk from the station to the beach - it is a straightforward walk but I am a slow walker.

At Dawlish when I went I found a lovely small beach which had a cafe and toilets nearby. I think it is called Coryton Cove. The train line runs beside the beach and a member of staff at the train station gave me directions to it. I was happy to be quite lazy when I visited Dawlish so spent most of my time on the beach - if you want to be more active I’m not sure what else is around.

Teignmouth station is walking distance to the beach but when I went the tide was in (I know I should have checked tide times beforehand) and I didn’t find much to do.

Hope you have a great trip wherever you decide to go.