UK’s longest beach that’s ‘unlike anywhere else’ with beachfront pubs and huge lagoon

THE longest beach in the UK stretches for a mighty 18 miles, meaning there’s plenty to keep the entire family entertained this summer.

With the summer finally in full swing, people up and down the country will be heading to the seaside to make the most of the warm weather.

Stretching for 18 miles, Chesil Beach in Dorset is the longest beach in the country, running from the Isle of Portland to West Bay.

The Dorset beach was the backdrop for Ian McEwan’s acclaimed novel On Chesil Beach.

It’s captured the heart of other authors too, with John Fowles writing: !It is above all an elemental place, made of sea, shingle and sky, its dominant sound always that of waves on moving stone: from the great surf and pounding … of sou’westers, to the delicate laps and back-gurgling of the rare dead calm….”

Even though the shingle beach doesn’t have any sand, it still draws in holidaymakers from across the UK thanks to its breathtaking views.

Holidaymakers will be able to marvel at the UK coastline from one of the many beachfront pubs and cafes that line the beach.

Located on the Isle of Portland, The Cove House Inn is an 18th century that provides diners with sweeping overs Portland.

The small pub serves a range of traditional grub like fish pies, scampi and fish and chips, with mains starting from £12.

Other beachfront pubs and cafes are also dotted along the 18-mile stretch, including Quiddles Cafe and Billy Winters Beach Bar & Diner.

Chesil Beach is also backed by Fleet Lagoon – a large saline lake, which is one of the last undisturbed brackish lagoons left in the world.

Designated a Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Fleet Lagoon is an important habitat for many different species of wildlife, including the world’s only managed colony of nesting mute swans.

Other bird species, like little egrets, dark bellier brent geese and common greenshanks, have also been spotted at Fleet Lagoon.

Visitors can explore the lagoon on the Fleet Explorer, a small boat that runs daily trips.

Despite stretching for more than 18 miles, swimming is not recommended at Chesil Beach because of a strong undertow.

Stronger swimmers may be able to go for a dip at Ope Cove or West Bay where a lifeguard service is stationed during the summer months.

Accessible toilets can be found at the Chesil Visitor Centre, with carp parking also available at Chesil Car Park.

Chesil Beach has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4/5 star rating from thousands of reviews.

One person wrote: “My wife and I did this epic walk to truly appreciate this huge shingle structure. The views are impressive with crashing waves and many birds.”

Another person added: “Well worth visiting if in the area, seeing the pebble bank is quite amazing because it’s just unlike anywhere else.”

Someone else said: “This is an incredibly diverse habitat and so beautiful, I spent a wonderful afternoon here relaxing and exploring the bank.”

Earlier this year, the best beaches in the UK were revealed, with Towans in Hayle, Cornwall was named the overall winner.

The three-mile stretch of sand came out on top, after analysing 543 beaches with a number of criteria, including car parking, loos, cafes and dog-friendliness.

All of the beaches must have excellent water quality as well.

Speaking of Towans, they said in the study: “The 1,700-acre expanse is an unspoilt, undeveloped and largely unknown stretch of sand, rock, cliff and dune across the bay from the overcrowded St Ives.

“There are fantastic sunsets, water sports equipment rental and two excellent cafés (Cove Café and the Jam Pot Café).

“As for the important stuff: the Towans’ water quality is excellent, it’s dog-friendly and it’s clean.”

Other winners included Beadnell Bay, the best in North England, along with Sheringham in East England and Southbourne in South England.

In Scotland, Gullane Bents came out on top while Freshwater West was the winner for Wales.

And a beach in Wales was named as one of the best beaches to visit this year by Lonely Planet.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has been to two of the best beaches in the world – but here’s one in the UK she says is just as good.