Discover what’s on across the South West coast
Beach Check UK is an innovative new app which allows visitors to check the status of a beach before they arrive in order to avoid congested beaches, and to see at a glance the ability for social distancing to be maintained. The app also provides information on parking, toilet facilities, areas that welcome dogs and much more.
The free-to-use app is downloadable from Google Play and the Apple App store (with no in-app purchases necessary). It is simple to use, allowing you to check individual beaches and to see a map showing red (crowded) amber (less congested) and green (uncongested) beaches.
The app allows staycationers and day trippers to check the status of the following south west beaches: Westward Ho! near Barnstaple and Minehead in Somerset.
Check out some of the events and happenings across the south coast coming up in late summer and into the autumn with these suggestions from Beach Check UK:
NEW Exmoor Coaster open top bus tours
One of the UK’s most spectacular open top bus rides, this coastal bus tour which is new for 2021 connects Doniford in West Somerset with Lynmouth in North Devon, showcasing the wild beauty of the Exmoor National Park and the spectacular coastal views of North Devon. With the traditional seaside resort of Minehead at one end, and the charming fishing village of Lynmouth at the other end, the Exmoor Coaster service runs six times daily and links seaside towns across the dramatic moorland, traversing the steep Porlock Hill as it climbs between coast and moor.
Autumn leaf-peeping at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, Exmoor
The 12,000-acre Holnicote Estate is home to a beautiful and varied landscape of moorland, woods, farms and coast, rich in wildlife and ablaze in a splendour of glorious reds and oranges come autumn. There are plentiful walking opportunities including a trail through Selworthy Woods to Selworthy Beacon which takes you high up for fantastic coastal views. There’s also a choice of delightful tea shops at which to refuel, including Kitnors Tea Room & Garden in Bossington, and the hillside Periwinkle Cottage Tea Roomin the National Trust village of Selworthy.
Sunset Sessions at Westward Ho! – until 3 September
On Friday nights until 3rd September, Westward Ho! will host sunset DJ sessions with chilled house music overlooking the bay, near the Fairway Buoy off Golf Links Road.
Ilfracombe Country Music Festival – 10-12 September
Ilfracombe’s first country music festival will take place at Ilfracombe Holiday Park, and will feature artists from the US, the UK and Europe, at a small friendly festival with a capacity of 300 guests. Tickets are priced at £15 for the weekend, with 50% from each ticket going to charity.
The BIG Sheep family attraction in Bideford, North Devon
Known for its popular sheep racing, this award-winning attraction also includes fun rides such as the Tractor Safari, the south west’s largest rollercoaster, indoor and outdoor play, archery, a petting zoo and daily shows such as Sheep Shearing and Lamb Feeding, all amidst 40 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland. Entry prices start from £12.50 per adult and £4.00 per child (under 3ft), with babies under 12 months FOC.
The Beach Check UK app is currently available at the following coastal locations: Hayling Island, Hampshire; Camber Sands and Bexhill Beach, East Sussex; Thanet (Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate); Westward Ho!, Devon; West Wittering, West Sussex; Worthing, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP); Minehead, Somerset; and in Norfolk – West Runton, East Runton, Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley, and Sea Palling Beaches. More locations are being added regularly.
The National Coastal Tourism Academy is supporting BCP Council in the roll out of their app and is encouraging resorts nationwide to adopt it.
For more information, visit https://www.englandscoast.com/en/blog/beach-check-uk-app.
