Living in the Midlands it can be heard to find beaches near me (I mean I think the word MIDlands kind of gives it away!). I am based in Staffordshire, so if you are looking to find the best West Midlands beaches you’ve come to the right place!
Finding beaches in the Midlands might require a bit of a drive but there are certainly plenty of beaches close to you which can be visited in a day. In Stafford some of the nearest coast to me can be found in North Wales, Somerset, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Of course, I’m sure it goes without saying that whatever travel you plan to do, make sure you are keeping in line with local restrictions and government guidelines to ensure you are keeping yourselves and others safe.
CLOSEST BEACH TO ME: BEACHES NEAR STAFFORD
What is the Closest Beach to Stafford?
As the crow flies, the nearest beach to Stafford is Wallasey Beach in The Wirral, Merseyside at nearly 60 miles away. The suggested driving route is around 84 miles and should take about 1 hour 30 minutes. New Brighton Beach is also found in the same area.
Directions to the Nearest Beach:
The suggested route takes you along the M6, M56 and M53, so it is a relatively straight forward drive. Wallasey Beach and New Brighton Beach are also the nearest beaches to Stoke on Trent.
Map of Beaches Near Stafford
English Beaches Near Stafford
Formby Beach, Merseyside
Next on the list of beaches near Stafford is found just 15 miles from Liverpool City Centre. Formby beach is owned by the National Trust so parking is free if you are a member. A daily rate applies for non-members. Check their website for up to date parking information and opening times. Horse riding and dog walking are permitted here. It is around 84 miles from Stafford to Formby Beach. The drive should take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Southport Beach, Merseyside
Southport Beach is around 90 miles from Stafford. The drive should take about 1 hour 45 minutes with the M6 and M57 making up the best part of the journey. This beach has parking and is dog friendly.
Blackpool, Lancashire
Blackpool is the only beach in the UK to boast not one, not two, but THREE piers. It is recognised as one of the best seaside resorts in the UK with its world renowned Tower and Pleasure Beach. It’s just over 100 miles to reach Blackpool from Stafford, a journey which can be done in under 2 hours, predominantly following the M6 and M55.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is on the South Shore. It is home to the legendary Big One (formerly known as the Pepsi Max) which is the tallest rollercoaster in the UK. When it opened in 1994 it was the largest rollercoaster in the world. Valhalla is another ride found here. It is one of the longest indoor dark rides in the world at 6 minutes long.
The Blackpool Illuminations is an annual lights festival that has been held at the seaside resort since 1879 (except in 2020!). Why not head to Blackpool in the early autumn months to check it out? Find out more here.
Weston Super Mare, Somerset
The next closest beach to me is found down in Somerset. Weston Super Mare beach is 128 miles from Stafford, a journey taking around 2 hours 15 minutes on a good day! This beach is found on the Bristol Channel coast and is one of the longest in the UK. The area of the beach between Royal Sands and the Grand Pier is dog free from 1st May to 30th September. Dogs also aren’t allowed at Marine Lake. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of areas where dogs are allowed all year round.
Check out their website for up to date information on dog walking in the area.
The famous Grand Pier is the main attraction at Weston-super-Mare. It’s 366m long and was first opened in 1904. There is a £1 toll to go on the pier which is home the UK’s smallest rollercoaster – the ‘Robo-Coaster’.
Ladye Bay, Somerset
Sticking with Somerset, Ladye Bay in Clevedon is 120 miles from Stafford, a journey taking just over 2 hours via mainly the M6 and M5. Ladye Bay is a small beach found between cliffs, rocks and vegetation. It is considered one of the prettiest in the region and certainly a secluded beach near Stafforshire worth checking out. Swimming isn’t recommended here if you aren’t a strong swimmer due to the high tides but it is dog friendly.
Welsh Beaches Near Staffordshire
Continuing looking at beaches near Stafford we are now heading into Wales and exploring some of the North Welsh coast. Some of the best beaches in the UK can be found in north Wales.
Llandudno
Llandudno is Wales’ largest beach resort and at just over 100 miles from Stafford the shortest journey is around 2 hours 10 minutes. You can enjoy the North Shore and West Shore beaches here, both of which are award winning. There are designated dog exclusion zones around the beaches.
Punch and Judy shows have been popular at Llandudno for over 150 years. Llandudno pier is the longest in Wales at 700m long. It is a grade 2 listed pier and originally opened in 1877.
Colwyn Bay & Rhos-on-Sea
Colwyn Bay Beach stretches over three miles – longer than Rio’s Copacabana beach! Rhos-on-Sea is found between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. It is perhaps best known for the Harlequin Puppet Theatre and its small harbour. Colwyn Bay’s 3 miles start at Rhos’ Harbour wall. Dogs have restricted access to the beach, although some parts are dog friendly. You can find plenty of parking on the promenade.
The journey from Stafford to Colwyn Bay is around 106 miles and should take you just shy of 2 hours. The journey mainly uses the M6 and A55, then take the exit for Old Colwyn. Use the sat nav on your phone to avoid traffic as this route get very busy on a nice day! Carry on along from Colwyn Bay and you’ll find yourself at Rhos-on-Sea.
The historic town of Conwy is a short drive from Colwyn Bay. It has some great seaside and attractions to offer visitors.
Talacre Beach
The last on this list of beaches near Stafford is found in the small village of Talacre in Flintshire. It is 90 miles from Stafford and should take around 1 hour 50 minutes to reach using the M6, M56 and A5117. The beach is best recognised by its lighthouse. Parking is readily available around the beach and it is a great beach for dogs!
Lots of visitors view Talacre as one of the best beaches in North Wales, especially because of the unique lighthouse and sand dunes which are great to wander around. I would certainly consider Talacre to be one of the best beaches near me.
So if you are looking to ‘find the closest beach to me’ and are based in the West Midlands, hopefully this guide will have been helpful to you. I hope you are able to find your nearest beach!
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