Looking for beaches to visit by train this summer? Look no further. There are plenty of places in Great Britain for you to sit back and relax in the sun, or simply take a walk. Here’s a round-up of our top five beaches to visit by train around the country. Best of all, they’re just a stroll away from a train station!

What beaches are there to visit by train?

Lots! But here are our five favourites. They’re spread up and down the country, so you’re sure to find one that’s within reach.

Aberdour – Silver Sands & Black Sands

We’re starting north of the Scottish border for these top beaches to visit by train. You’re able to get to Aberdour from Edinburgh in just 30 minutes! If you take a short walk through the village and down to the Firth of Forth, you’ll reach Black Sands:

This is definitely a good one if you fancy a walk. If you’d prefer some more peaceful surroundings, then you can head to Silver Sands. It’s connected to Black Sands by the Fife Coastal Path, or it’s a 15-minute walk if you’re coming from the station directly:

Silver Sands is one of the great beaches to visit by train if you just want to lie back and take it all in. It faces towards the southeast too. This means that you’ll get plenty of sunshine when the weather is right.

Saltburn

Saltburn Beach is just a few minutes from the station, so it’s one of the ideal beaches to visit by train. You can reach it by a unique Cliff Lift, too.

Whether you want to relax on this huge stretch of beach, take a walk along the cliffs or feel the breeze along the pier, there’s something for everyone. Of course, it’s home to a classic arcade, too.

This part of the country is full of beautiful beaches. In fact, the beach in Saltburn extends all the way through Marske, up to Redcar and South Gare Lighthouse. Thinking of taking a visit? It’s less than half an hour by train from Middlesbrough, and hourly trains link it to York and Manchester, too.

West Kirby

There are very few places like West Kirby. You can take a stroll around the marine lake and take in the views across the River Dee. That’s Wales in the distance:

If you’re feeling more adventurous, then you can walk across the sand-flats to Hilbre Island. It’s about a two-mile trip and you’ll need to check the tide times before you go. It’s worth the walk, as you could see seals, whales and even dolphins!

West Kirby is a great beach to visit by train, as it’s linked to Liverpool by frequent Merseyrail services. They run up to every 15 minutes, and it’s around a 30-minute ride. Once you get to the station, it’ll take around five minutes to get to the seafront.

Seaford

We’re off to the South Coast of England, now. Seaford is just a stone’s throw from Brighton, and it has plenty to offer. For one, it has this huge stretch of beach:

It’s quite a stony beach, so it’s more suited for a stroll than building sandcastles, but don’t worry. You’ll find several sandpits along the promenade if your little ones want to get creative.

Want to get your steps in, instead? Seaford marks the beginning of the Seaford Head Nature Reserve. You can admire some impressive cliff formations along the way:

It’s around a 35-minute trip to Seaford from Brighton. If you’re coming from London, it’s just over an hour and a half. It’ll take you around 10 minutes along flat pavements to walk from the station to the beach.

Carbis Bay

Finally, we’re taking you to the far southwest of Cornwall. Welcome to Carbis Bay, which is just a short hop from the more famous St Ives. Driving isn’t ideal around these parts, and the roads can be narrow and congested.

So, if you want to reach the beautiful blue waters and white sands of Carbis Bay, it’s the perfect beach to visit by train. The sub-tropical plants in the area can make you feel like you’re almost in another country entirely!

It’s served by the St Ives Branch Line, which will take you to St Erth. From here, direct trains run to Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter and London. Carbis Bay Station itself is a very short walk from the beach.

Is there anything else I should know?

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with Railsmartr. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.