The UK beach with ‘more ice cream shops than anywhere else’ – and a fair that costs just £2 for all rides
A beach in the UK was described as “amazing” and praised for having a variety of ice cream shops nearby.
It’s also the scene of one of the UK’s cheapest family outings, as well as an infamous and very strange crime.
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Seaton Carew in County Durham is a popular summertime family day out. The long sandy beach and sea, promenade and golfing opportunities make it a worthwhile choice.
It is on the North Sea coast not far from Hartlepool the beach guide is described as “popular with bathers and families looking for a good beach during the summer season”.
They also praise the options that families have away from the coast, with plenty of entertainment and dining options.
They added, “There is plenty of parking and visitors will find arcades and a number of other low-key beach resort attractions along the beach.”
“In Seaton Carew itself, just behind the beach, there are some very popular french fry shops and ice cream shops.
“Regardless of the time of year, this is a great place for golfers as the Seaton Carew Golf Links is just behind the beach.”
In fact, the city is known for its ice cream parlors, and one American tourist said she’s never seen so many in one place.
She wrote on TripAdvisor: “Seaton Carew is an amazing beach. The waves are calm, there are no strong waves to pull you. There are shells but not so many that could hurt the feet.”
“There’s a great boardwalk, as we call it in the States, and more ice cream parlors in one place than I’ve seen anywhere in the world.”
Along the boardwalk, places like Nice Cream, Supreme Ice Cream, Glady’s, Gelato Jojo, Seaton Gift & Rock Shop, and Larry’s compete to sell the best ice cream within 500 feet of each other.
Delivery trucks can also be seen lining the road behind the beach on warmer days, while Lofty’s Minigolf also has its own cafe selling sweet treats.
Arcades, fish-and-chip shops, and the Planet Funland fair are other beach offerings for families. Planet Funland is billed as the “cheapest family day out in the Northeast”.
Children can access all the rides and bouncy castles at the fair for £2 per day during the summer holidays.
The fair also has food trucks selling fast food, sweets and of course more ice cream.
When the fair isn’t in town, you can watch children learning to sea kayak, which is perhaps the town’s best known for.
Not kayaking per se, but a notorious man and his kayak that was used to commit one of the country’s strangest crimes.
In March 2002, John Darwin was seen paddling his canoe from his home along the promenade to the sea. He then paddled into open water and was later reported missing after failing to report for work.
It was later revealed that John had faked his own death as part of a scheme he hatched with his wife Anne, allowing her to withdraw hundreds of thousands of pounds of life insurance and pension money.
He moved into a family home they owned next to the house where he lived with his wife and hid there before attempting to move to Panama with Anne to open a hotel and canoe vacation business.
When that failed, John returned to Britain and attempted to fake amnesia before he and Anne were arrested for fraud and sentenced to more than six years in prison.
Anyone interested in visiting can stay at the Staincliffe Hotel next door to John and Anne’s house from £99 a night for two, according to Booking.com.
Other accommodation in the city is available from £50 per night.
These beaches have now made it onto Lonely Planet’s list of Europe’s most beautiful beaches.
And this British seaside town has been voted the cheapest in the country.
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