Secret summer beach returns to UK village – with outdoor adventure zone and soft play
TO GO to the seaside, holidaymakers in Cambridgeshire often head to the Norfolk Coast - despite a summer beach opening in the county.
People in Cambridge often travel to Lowestoft or Southwold for a day at the seaside, but the county actually has a spot of its own.
According to its website, Bury Lane Farm Shop in Meldreth has reopened its sandy beach ready for the spring and summer.
The Beach, which reopened on March 29, 2024, has been described as a one-of-a-kind attraction in the county.
A statement on the read: "The Beach is one of a kind, with a huge range of play equipment for children from 0-10 years old to enjoy.
"There are deck chairs and picnic benches dotted around, but feel free to bring a blanket or towel to really feel like you are at the seaside."
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While there isn't any water for a quick dip, there is a huge sand pit where children can build sandcastles.
There's also mini trampolines, slides, swings, a climbing wall and a jumping pillow.
From May 25, 2024, there will also be bungee trampolines and go-karts at the farm shop to coincide with the May half-term.
Meanwhile, the outdoor adventure zone will have a variety of activities including a climbing boulder, electric diggers, swings, a wooden boat, a giant chess set and football goalposts.
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The Meldreth site is also home to an indoor soft play area with wavy slides, balance beams and cargo nets.
Other facilities include an indoor cafe serving a range of hot and cold drinks and a refreshment cart, which will be be in use during peak times.
Another attraction at the Farm Shop is the cut your own tulip field, which opened to the public on April 5, 2024.
Visitors can pay £6 to cut 10 stems of tulips but must bring their own scissors.
Bury Lane Farm Shop is a seven-minute drive from Royston, and it's a 23-minute drive from Cambridge.
And Cambridgeshire isn't the only landlocked location to have it's own sandy beach, despite being nowhere near the coast.
Ruislip Lido Beach, found in Hillingdon, in West London has stretches of sand and palm trees.
The beach can be reached by tube from London.
While swimming is not permitted at present, daytrippers can still sunbathe on the sandy shores.
There's also the Ruislip Lido Railway that takes visitors around the lake and through the woods.
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Earlier this year, the best beaches in the world were revealed - with four in the UK making the list.
And this seaside town has been voted the cheapest in the country.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the "surfing wellness resort" in the UK.