Cambridgeshire's favourite beaches for a day trip – as voted for by you

With the weather turning warmer, many will be thinking of heading to the beach to relax in the sun and take a dip in the sea. Cambridgeshire may not have any beaches of its own, but there are plenty within day trip distance to enjoy.

We asked our readers what their favourite beaches for a day trip were, with options in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. Most of the beaches are around a two-hour drive from Cambridge, so while it's not a journey you'd want to make every weekend, it's definitely worth it for a treat.

The results of the poll showed that most of you prefer beaches in Norfolk over those in Suffolk and Essex. While the Norfolk beaches topped the polls, there are still some honourable mentions from the two other counties.

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The most popular Essex beach among our readers was Walton-on-the-Naze, a seaside town with sandy beaches. The pier has recently been upgraded and has fairground rides, bowling, and escape rooms.

In Suffolk, our readers prefer Southwold, which has been described as 'quintessentially British' by lifestyle blog The Suffolk Coast. As well as being home to the Adnams brewery, Southwold has a promenade lined with beach huts and a tall working lighthouse that guides ships along the east coast of the UK.

The best three beaches for a day trip from Cambridgeshire are below, in reverse order. We hope they will provide inspiration for your next day out – or a reminder of your favourite places.

3. Holkham

Holkham has a long stretch of sandy beach with dunes where you can set up camp for the day with sun shades and picnic blankets. There are also pine forests along the shore and large flocks of birds, meaning its an area rich in nature to spot if just lounging around isn't your thing.

The beach has been the backdrop to lots of family photographs over the years, but it has also featured in Hollywood films. These include Shakespeare in Love, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Never Let Me Go, which saw Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield filmed on the beach.

2. Old Hunstanton

Old Hunstanton beach is just a short walk from the resort town of Hunstanton, with golden sand and stripy cliffs. The beach has a gentle slope down into the sea, meaning you can dip as much or as little of yourself into the sea as you like – whether just wetting your toes or immersing your full body.

The beach is also just a short walk from the shipwreck of the Old Sheraton, so if you need to stretch your legs after lying on the sand it's a great place to explore. The beach can get busy over weekends – like all beaches – but there is plenty of space for everyone to share.

1. Wells-next-the-Sea

Wells-next-the-Sea is a worthy winner of the title "best beach for a day trip from Cambridgeshire". It has a sweeping sandy beach which makes for a perfect place to enjoy the sunshine while we have it.

The town is also a lovely place to explore, with a harbour, great places to eat and drink, and nearby attractions including National Trust houses. The beach is part of Norfolk's 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', a title it truly deserves.