trees, deckchairs, beach balls and buckets and spades. And while the white canopy of the O2 might not evoke the same romance as the clear blues of a tropical sky, it does perform the handy function of keeping off the rain. Drop by 12–5pm Mon

above is the Minack Theatre, which is well worth a visit. Visit www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk2. Crackington Haven, Cornwall This ideal spot for families has a gently shelving beach in an enclosed bay; the upper beach is mainly pebble, with rock pools along

Summer in the city needn’t be all about sticky crowds and stuffy traffic fumes. This year cosmopolitan city-dwellers can seek out their own little slice of paradise in the midst of the madness with the sun, sand and sea of a pop-up urban beach

waves ripple over your feet as they sink in the sand can still have a strangely comforting affect for all ages – especially if the waves are warm and the setting is picturesque.     But if we want our beaches to be clean and enticing, we all have a role

1 Visit Whitstable in Kent during its famous oyster festival, which is being held this year July 23-29.2 Good places for rock pooling include the Dee Estuary in North West England, Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire and below the Seven Sisters Chalk

1 PebblesLook at the pebbles on the beach and see if you can match them to the rocks in the nearby cliffs. Large pebbles are great for making beach art or even just for spelling out a child’s name. Collect large smooth pebbles to make paperweights

’t forget to pack A kite for flying on the beach. Holiday events… Explore Formby in a different way by taking part in the Orienteering Challenge on August 7, 11am–4pm. Cost: £5. For further information, e-mail formbylearning@nationaltrust.org.uk Cost

be sure to keep checking back.Looking for a grand day out? Then take a gander at our compendium of Best Ever Days Out. Plus, weunveil the most thrilling new rides and attractions at theme parks across the land and present our pick of urban beaches. Wellies

and translating the Morse code collected along the way.Not many people know this but…Porthcurno was the most important cable station in the world by WWII and one of only 2 beaches in the country that was defended by flame-throwers.Don’t forget to pack Sandwiches

self-catering two-bed property in the grounds of Folkton Hall, visit North Yorkshire Moors, York Railway Museum or indulge in sandy pursuits on Scarborough’s famous beach. About £675 for four nights. To find out more about the best family festivals