England's 'best' beach with miles of golden sand and a funfair is well worth 90 minute drive from Yorkshire

Summer 2024 is just about getting started.

And if the sunshine continues into the half term break many will be looking for the nearest beach to enjoy a coastal walk, relax and get out in the sea. Yorkshire is blessed with some of the finest in the North of the county but according to number crunching by car hire company Sixt, the best beach in England is also not too far away.

It is Mablethorpe Town Beach, in um... Lincolnshire. But fret not, it's not that far from God's Own Country; about 90 minutes from Bawtry, near Doncaster, and even less if you're lucky enough to live in Hessle. Obviously, if you reside in Richmond, for example, it's less convenient.

Read more: I took my son to the 'most underrated' seaside town in Yorkshire and we didn't want to leave

So what makes Mablethorpe so good, especially after it ranked fifth from bottom in this year's Which? guide to UK beaches? The Sixt table is based on water quality ('excellent' according to the Environment Agency); Tripadvisor rating (4.5 stars); the number of nearby cafes (19) and the number of nearby car parks (seven) – plus whether there are toilets and a lifeguard.

Second on the chart was Cromer, Norfolk; followed by Whitley Bay, near Newcastle; Shanklin, Isle of Wight and Filey, North Yorkshire.

Of Mablethorpe, Sixt says: "Boasting miles of golden sand and a Blue Flag award, the picturesque Mablethorpe Town Beach in Lincolnshire ranks top of our list of England’s best beaches. Backed by a promenade and offering a traditional beachfront funfair, the town has a long history of tourism and a stunning coastline that sets it apart from many others in the country.

"Visitors to this lively beach town can rest easy with an on-duty seasonal lifeguard within flagged areas, and public toilets just walking distance from the shoreline during the summer months. Other handy amenities that gave Mablethorpe Town Beach its ranking status is its vast number of cafes and car parks just 400m away."

Of Filey, Sixt says: "Coming in fifth on our England list, Filey Beach ranks the best beach in Yorkshire. The alluring five-mile stretch of golden sand offers plenty of space for visitors, and is an ideal location for those looking to enjoy a seaside stroll, or play in the sand. If you start to feel peckish, then there’s plenty to choose from, with 17 cafes being within a five-minute walking distance.

"Given its location, Filey is an excellent choice for a holiday away. Being near Scarborough, Bridlington, and Whitby offers plenty of options for days out. As well as having good facilities nearby for the days you don’t want to travel anywhere."

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