Where to Enjoy an Easter Break by the Beach
Easter is one of the most uplifting times of the year to escape to the coast. When Spring has sprung, nature wakes up, the clocks go back, there’s more sunlight, more energy and that renewed Spring in your step is irresistible.
Nature breathes new life into Britain’s beaches transforming them into bright, adventure playgrounds filled with wildlife and perfect for families, couples and anyone craving clean sea air after winter’s long hibernation. Whether you’re thinking long strolls on the beach, pastel-coloured harbours, sweeping Atlantic surf, seaside walks with your dog or secluded Welsh beaches, there’s a coastal destination to suit your 2026 Easter holiday.
The ideal thing about Easter is that you can explore the UK’s very best places without the crowds, without the big price tags, without the dog restrictions, without the queues, without the waiting… meaning lots of affordable fun for the kids… and the pups!
Start with an Easter Egg Hunt on one of the top beaches in one of the top beach destinations, be it Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Wales. Easter break is the time to enjoy any of these stunning seaside town’s activities in peace.
Cornwall Easter Breaks: Newquay, St Ives & Bude
Newquay – Easter for Surf Lovers and Coastal Explorers
Newquay is one of the UK’s most iconic seaside destinations in Cornwall, and Easter is the perfect time to enjoy its beaches before the peak summer buzz. Beaches like Fistral, Towan, Lusty Glaze and Watergate Bay look incredible in spring, with rolling Atlantic waves and miles of clean sand. Need more options? There are 9 more beaches which are close to deserted in Easter, including Tolcarne Beach, Holywell Bay or Porth. Easter is the perfect time for activities in Newquay like surfing lessons or coast steering, and families will love Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium.
Walkers can take full advantage of the South West Coast Path, enjoying quieter clifftop trails and the spring flora and wildlife. With lively cafés, ocean-view restaurants and Easter events popping up through town, Newquay is a very satisfying mix of activity and relaxation.
St Ives – Art, Beaches and a Stunning Easter Light
Further South St Ives is famous amongst painters for its luminous light, and nowhere captures this essence of spring quite like its harbour and beaches. During Easter, the town basks in a shimmering Mediterranean glow, perfect for photographers and artists. Porthmeor and Porthminster beaches are iridescent at this time, while Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum provide cultural inspiration for your Easter weekend in the South West.
Enjoy creative Easter workshops at local galleries, wildlife boat trips and stunning scenic walks to Carbis Bay fuelled by chocolate. St Ives effortlessly blends style, charm and adventure – ideal for a fun filled Easter escape that feels relaxing.
Bude – Laid-back Beaches and Family Adventure
Up north the wilder Bude Atlantic seascapes offer wind-swept beaches and a relaxed, welcoming Easter vibe. Admiring surfers brave the waves can be therapeutic or you might even like to join them. Crooklets and Widemouth Bay offer plenty of space to fly kites, build sandcastles or simply enjoy the freedom in the spring sunshine, whilst walks along the clifftops offer wonderful ocean views.
Bude’s independent cafés and shops are a lovely addition to family activities such as craft fairs and Easter egg hunts in local parks or National Trust estates. If you want a laid-back beach holiday with plenty of space and scenery, Bude is a superb option.
Best Devon Easter Holidays: Brixham, Salcombe & Westward Ho!
Brixham – Colourful Harbour Life and Coastal Heritage
Down in Devon’s Riviera you’ll discover that Brixham’s colourful harbour and maritime character is a delight during Easter. The waterfront comes alive in the spring sunshine, and its seafood restaurants showcase the best the sea has to offer. Families can visit the Golden Hind replica ship, enjoy coastal walks around Berry Head Nature Reserve or explore the town’s indie shops.
The Easter Pirate Festival here livens the atmosphere with costumes, stalls and themed events, making it one of Devon’s most playful holiday destinations. Add in peaceful coves such as Fishcombe and Churston, and Brixham becomes the perfect Easter retreat.
Salcombe – Chic, Scenic and Perfect in Spring
Just around the corner, Salcombe promises a more elegant seaside escape, famed for its perfect mix of turquoise waters, pastel houses and chic sailing culture. Easter brings the start of the boating season, offering visitors scenic harbour tours and opportunities to hire kayaks or paddle boards. North Sands and South Sands beaches glow beautifully in the early spring light, and the town’s boutique shops, and waterside cafés are ideal for long, lazy afternoons.
Fill your Instagram account at the National Trust’s Overbeck’s Garden where spring flowers bloom or take a ferry to East Portlemouth for quiet sandy shores with cinematic views across the estuary.
Westward Ho! – Fun, Wide Beaches and Big Skies
Not to be outdone and boasting one of the widest sandy beaches in the UK, Westward Ho! near Appledore is a paradise for Easter holiday families and groups craving sea, waves and lots of space to run free. As the spring tides roll in, surfers and paddle boarders flock to the seaside, while the promenade offers easter-themed events, games and ice cream stops.
Nearby attractions such as Northam Burrows – part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – offer opportunities for wildlife spotting, scenic walks and yes you guessed it… Egg hunts! If you’re looking for a mix of excitement and nature, Westward Ho! delivers it with ease.
Top Dorset Easter Getaways: Sandbanks, Swanage & Lyme Regis
Sandbanks – Glamour, Seafood and Stunning Beach Walks
If glamour is your thing then Sandbanks offers a luxurious coastal vibe that feels tailor-made for an Easter break. The beach houses in Sandbanks are famously spectacular and peninsula’s soft sandy beach is pristine and sheltered, perfect for morning strolls, family picnics or doggy dips. The waters sparkle beautifully in spring, and Sandbanks’ sophisticated café and restaurant scene shines at this time of year, especially with Easter menu treats, outdoor seating and no queues.
For adventure, take the chain ferry to Studland for National Trust walking routes, or explore Poole Harbour by boat. From high-end rentals to high-impact scenery, Sandbanks in Dorset is Easter indulgence done right.
Swanage – Vintage Seaside Fun and Coastal Beauty
Swanage is Dorset’s nostalgic seaside gem, offering a fun and family-friendly Easter break. With its broad safe, sandy beach, Victorian pier, beach huts and traditional amusements, the town blends classic charm with coastal beauty. The heritage steam railway is a must for families, especially during Easter when special events and themed rides often take place.
Easter egg hunters can stride out along the Jurassic Coast to Old Harry Rocks (using chocolate as bait), while food lovers can sample fresh seafood along the waterfront. Swanage is cheerful, scenic and perfect for a lively spring holiday.
Lyme Regis – Fossils, Food and Easter Atmosphere
Another gem, also known as the “Pearl of Dorset,” Lyme Regis is a dream for Easter visitors, especially families and those who love geology, food and coastal activities. The iconic Cobb harbour is a landmark, while the beaches offer fantastic fossil-hunting (or Dinosaur Egg hunting) opportunities – perfect for an Easter treasure hunt with a twist.
The town’s artisan bakeries, seafood restaurants and boutique shops add a refined coastal feel, and Easter events at the Marine Theatre and local museums bring creative flair to the holiday. Spring landscapes along the Jurassic Coast are unbeatable, making Lyme Regis a top-tier Easter destination.
Wales Coastal Easter Escapes: Tenby, Saundersfoot, Aberdovey & Swansea
Tenby – Colourful, Historic and Easter-Friendly
Tenby is one of Wales’ most famous coastal towns, and Easter showcases it at its absolute best. The pastel-coloured houses glow in the sunshine, medieval walls circle the town, and the harbour fills with families enjoying ice cream and mild temperatures. Boat trips to Caldey Island begin opening for the season, and the beaches of North, South and Castle offer ideal conditions for Easter egg hunts, as well as sandcastle-building and lazy strolls.
Tenby’s narrow streets are filled with cafés, galleries and spring events, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for Easter getaways.
Saundersfoot – Seaside Warmth and Springtime Buzz
Just along the Pembrokeshire coast, Saundersfoot offers a softer, calmer vibe but with just as much colour and charm. Its sandy beach is ideal for Easter sandcastle contests, shell collecting or gentle walks, while the harbour often hosts seasonal food fairs and craft events. Enjoy fish and chips overlooking the bay or explore the Coppet Hall tunnels for a fun adventure in West Wales.
From Saundersfoot, you can easily hop to Amroth or Wiseman’s Bridge, both offering scenic coastal trails and family-friendly spring activities.
Aberdovey (Aberdyfi) – Sands, Scenery and Seasonal Serenity
Another colourful coastal town is Aberdovey, perched along the Dyfi Estuary in Gwynedd and ideal for those wanting a peaceful, beautiful Easter escape. Its long sandy beaches offer space for kite flying, water sports and fun dog walks, and the multi-coloured waterfront dwellings give the whole village in North Wales a delightful coastal glow.
Spend your Easter exploring the dunes, sampling local seafood or visiting nearby Tywyn and Barmouth for additional seaside attractions. Aberdovey has a uniquely calming charm that makes it ideal for families and couples seeking a slower-paced spring holiday.
Swansea – Vibrant Coast Meets Urban Energy
Last but not least, Swansea brings together the best of city life and beachside fun for an Easter break that suits everyone. Spend your days exploring the vast sands of Swansea Bay, cycling the promenade or visiting the excellent National Waterfront Museum. Mumbles is just a short hop away, offering boutique shops, ice cream parlours and access to the Gower Peninsula – the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Spring events, markets and lively restaurants make for an epic Easter in Swansea filled with energetic fun full of variety.
Plan Your Perfect Easter by the Sea
Whether you’re dreaming of surfing in Newquay, fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, sipping champagne in Sandbanks or exploring colourful Welsh harbours, Easter is the perfect time to book an affordable, crowd-free beach escape.
Wherever you choose Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Wales you’ll find fresh sea breezes, excellent local food and the promise of unforgettable Easter Egg hunts! To find your ideal accommodation for your Easter holiday, browse the full collection of coastal holiday cottages listed with us, many that are family and pet friendly.