The TOP 10 BEACHES viewed on Coast Radar during February were:

(1) Climping Beach , Littlehampton …

The beach, as with many along the south coast, has groynes and is pebbles at high tide. But at low tide, a huge expanse of dark, fine, hard-packed sand is exposed, making it an ideal spot for families and shallow swimming. Very popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers with grass areas for setting up.

Climping Beach is a quieter area of coastline than its neighbors of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. Much of the area is now designated of scientific interest, and parts are a nature reserve although many sections of the sand dunes are now fenced off to protect against erosion and help local species to thrive.

The actual beach is exposed and struggles with coastal erosion and can change it’s appearance between visits.

A great place to base a coastal walk as you can head in either direction. To the East you have the dune eco-system and then Littlehampton. To the West you are backed by countryside and then hit the many private beach estates that line this stretch of Coast.

Thornwick Bay is located on the Yorkshire Coastline at Flamborough Head near Bridlington. A headland and magnificent liffs with two bays of shingle, pebbles and flint. The large bay is Thornwick Bay and the small one, Little Thornwick Bay. You can walk the beach between them at low tide and a natural amphitheatre exists with many rock pools.

The headland around here is full of caves, the 3 largest:

• Smugglers Cave, the largest on the east coast of England,
• Church Cave,
• ThornWick Cave.

Fishing and scuba diving is popular in and around Thornwick Bay. Maritime records show 100′s of wrecks within the bay area. Can be some strong currents.

Thornwick Bay is a spectacular setting and many people visit not just for the beach and rock pools but to enjoy the cliff top walks observing the seabirds including Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes etc. Flamborough Head is an official bird observatory.

Moggs Eye beach also known as Huttoft beach is a quiet sandy beach backed by sand dunes.

Unspoilt countryside leading to this shelving sandy beach over dunes. Wildlife thrives on the natural Lincolnshire coastline and is a haven for birdwatchers, nature lovers and conservationists.

Popular beach with dog walkers as never too busy and you can walk for miles in either direction.

Also a popular sea fishing location.

Littlehampton West Beach is just across the bridge from the main Littlehamton family east beach and is much quieter. Part of the Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and the Climping Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which has national protection. It includes the sand flats, shingle, sand dunes and all animals that feed on them. One of only 3 sand dune systems in West Sussex.

Joss Bay beach in Kent is a 200m sandy beach sheltered by white chalk cliffs with rocks at either end. The bay was named after an 18th century smuggler called Joss Snelling and is one of the seven bays in Broadstairs.

Joss Bay is popular with water sports enthusiasts and families. In the summer the beach can be packed.

Joss Bay is one of the South East’s popular surf spots.

Kitesurfing is a struggle due to the cliffs behind the beach and the number of visitors.

Signposted coastal walks or cycle rides from the beach.

Botany Bay is the most northerly of the 7 Broadstairs bays in Kent. This is an old fashioned sandy beach almost 200m long with chalk stacks, rock pools and gentle bathing. This part of the Kent coast boasts the longest stretch of chalk cliffs in Britain with Botany Bay being the northern most of seven bays in Broadstairs.

When the tide goes out you have a chalk reef which is thought to be one of the best in Britain.

Elmer Sands beach is pebbles and groynes at high tide but when the tide goes out the beach becomes a flat compact sand. Excellent family beach for all ages, beach games, rock pools and when tide goes out the water becomes very shallow making ideal conditions for swimming and beginner water sports as you can stand-up.

Pilling Sands, salt marsh looking North to Morecambe Bay.

Sandwich Bay beach is pebble at the top and then very large sand flats.

Northern end often used by naturists

New Brighton beach (Wallasey) sand and popular with families.