Blighty may not be the first place you think of when you're planning a visit to the beach. But thanks to a surge in demand for UK staycations, the coast is calling.

The UK is bursting with beautiful beaches for you and your loved ones to explore. Navigating Britain’s beaches isn't always easy with a mobility scooter. However, we believe that your mobility shouldn't come in the way of sun, sea and fish and chips.

A growing number of seaside locations are prioritising accessibility to make beach days more inclusive. Whether its beach-friendly mobility aids for hire, or specialised crossings to the shoreline, you and your mobility scooter can enjoy the beach too. 

Read on for our round up of accessible beaches to visit this summer. 

7 Accessible Beaches 

Nostalgic for a day at the seaside but not sure how feasible it is with your mobility scooter? UK councils and local communities are working hard to provide accessible options for beach goers with mobility needs. 

Always check with the local council of your chosen beach to see if they provide facilities such as:

●    Levelled beach access
●    Ramps, slopes and slipways
●    Disabled toilets or Changing Places
●    Disabled or Blue Badge parking
●    Beach accessible wheelchair hire
●    Mobi-mats (mats that allow safe beach access for mobility aids)

1.    Brighton Beach, Brighton & Hove

Brighton beach is one of the UK’s most iconic beaches. Though it tends to get quite busy, it’s definitely worth a visit. 

Use the ramps to smoothly transition onto the promenade with your mobility scooter. You can also take your scooter along the seafront, as it has an accessible walkway. 

Brighton beach has Changing Places toilets as well as an all-terrain beach wheelchair upon request.

If the beach is packed out with sun worshippers, head to the many nearby attractions that have great accessibility. View the underwater creatures without a snorkel at Britain’s oldest aquarium. 

Don’t forget to visit the iconic Brighton Pier whilst you're there, accessible via the Pier’s carpark. All of the pier’s attractions, including restaurants and arcade, are on the same level for easy access with your mobility scooter. 

See here for more information. 

2.    North Berwick, Edinburgh

The Scottish coastline is dotted with breath-taking beaches. When the sun comes out, these bonny beaches easily rival that of their Caribbean counterparts.

Rugged landscapes, white sands and blue topaz waters make Scottish beaches some of the most special. And North Berwick beach is of no exception.

Just a short distance from the very accessible Edinburgh, North Berwick is one of Scotland’s most accessible beaches. 

Beach-ready mobility devices for both kids and adults are provided by a local charity. This means you can enjoy long strolls along the golden stretch of sand and take in the stunning views across to Bass Rock.  

See here for more information.  

3.    Boscombe Pier Beach, Bournemouth 

Situated on a World Heritage Site, the great Jurassic Coast, lies Boscombe Pier Beach. This award-winning beach is home to the UK’s first ever purpose-built accessible beach huts. These unique huts have been designed with family fun in mind. 

Large enough to fit four wheelchairs, the huts include cooking facilities for a lazy day at the beach. Even better, they also include electric charging points for your mobility scooter.

Enjoy the coastal views from high up above thanks to accessible cliff lifts. Down on sandy ground you can hire a beach-friendly wheelchair. If you have an all-terrain mobility scooter you can take a sunset stroll along the wooden walkways down to the water. 
 
Bournemouth is home to many accessible seafronts, see here for more information. 

4.    Whitley Bay, Newcastle 

Want to join in on all the fun? Then head over to the Northeast of England and give a Hippocampe a whirl! 

This all-terrain mobility device is just as fun in water as it is on the sandy shores. This ingenious chair allows anyone of any age to enjoy a whole host of outdoor activities. Leave your mobility scooter at home or in the car and enjoy this unique experience. 

Local charity, Beach Access North East, can also provide hoists and other beach-friendly mobility aids. The charity’s office is located on the promenade and staff are always on hand to offer help and advice for a truly memorable seaside trip.

See here for more information. 

5.    Broad Haven Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales 

If you're after breath-taking, accessible beaches in Wales, then look no further than the award-winning Broad Haven Beach. 

Thanks to hard-packed sand at low tide, you can enjoy a stroll along the shore in hired beach wheelchairs. Pembrokeshire Coast offer the hire of all terrain, beach-friendly mobility aids for land and sea experiences. 
 
Calm waters allow for safe bathing, a truly peaceful experience. For those with kids to keep entertained, the beach has many rock pools and small caves to explore. 

Be mindful that this beautiful beach can get very busy in the summer. If the crowds become too much, head into the charming village of Broadhaven. Here you can enjoy a spot of lunch in peace, from the comfort of your mobility scooter. 

Click here to prebook a beach mobility aid.

6.    Summerleaze Beach, Cornwall

When you imagine the British seaside, you can’t help but picture the scenic sand dunes and surfer waves of Cornwall. 

Cornwall’s coastline is dotted with stunning beaches to explore. Even better, you'll be spoilt for choice when searching for an accessible beach with adequate facilities. 

Our favourite Cornish beach has to be Summerleaze, thanks to its all-inclusive family feel. Level access from the car park takes you onto the beach and stunning viewing area. Calm waters and a natural pool in the Bay offer safe options for paddling. 

Disabled toilets and the option to rent a ‘sand chair’ from the Summerleaze Beach Office will help you to enjoy your day. If the beach becomes too busy then Bude, a pretty seaside resort town, is only a short stroll away on your mobility scooter. 

See here for a map of locations offering beach wheelchairs in Cornwall. 

7.    Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland

Just over an hour's drive from Belfast is a National Trust conservation area, the beach of Portstewart Strand. This stretch of golden sand is home to surfers, families and waterfowl birds alike. 

What makes Portstewart Strand so unique is that vehicles are permitted to drive directly onto its sands. This makes it super convenient for those with mobility impairments. Simply pull up at an ideal spot to enjoy this stunning beach from the comfort of your mobility scooter or car seat. 

Scenic views include the nearby Mussenden Temple and towering sand dunes. The beach is also home to an estuary trail. The trail has a wheelchair-accessible hide which is perfect for observing the magnificent birds and wildlife. 

A Changing Places restroom and accessible beach equipment are also available. See here for more information. 

Always plan your visit as much as possible to avoid any stress or disappointment on the day.

In the rare instance you have a breakdown whilst away, always give us a call. For peace of mind, all Easy Pay Mobility scooters have free breakdown cover included as standard in all hire agreements. See here for more information.