11 beach clubs in the UK to visit this summer
The glow of summer is finally here; cue long nights in sultry pub gardens, barbecues on a Sunday afternoon and tequila cocktails as the sun goes down. If you’ve got your group summer holiday sorted, you might be looking for something extra special to impress your friends. We’ve got you covered, with 11 beach clubs that will take you from day to night. Sip a spritz on a lounger in sunny Dorset or play beer pong at a pop-up beach club in the heart of London. Summer is yours for the taking.
1. Hotel Tresanton
Type: An elegant hotel and beach club
Location: Cornwall
Address: 27 Lower Castle Rd, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DR
Image credit: Hotel Tresanton
Missing a European trip this summer? Hotel Tresanton brings Mediterranean life to you, with its al fresco terraces oozing elegance. Recline on a sun lounger, sipping cocktails with a sea view underneath sunny, stripy umbrellas. When you’re not floating around with the cultured Cornwall set, head down to Tavern Beach for a swim.
Place to stay: With a private hot tub, outdoor terrace and three double bedrooms that look out to open countryside, Karadow is a dreamy group pad near St Mawes.
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2. Aruba
Type: Restaurant and nightclub
Location: Dorset
Address: Pier Approach, Bournemouth BH2 5AA
Go from day to night at Bournemouth’s biggest and best beach bar and club, Aruba. By day it’s a restaurant, serving casual dishes and sharing plates to groups moving from the sandy beach onto the shady terrace. Get yourself on the guest list for the evening parties and watch fire breathers and aerial acts perform death-defying tricks, while DJs play non-stop bangers from R&B and house to 80s and 90s throwbacks.
Place to stay: Beach View, in Bournemouth’s quiet district of Southbourne, is a spectacular eight-sleeper with breath-taking panoramic coastal views.
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3. Neverland
Type: Pop-up urban beach club
Location: London
Address: Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Rd, London SW6 2TY
The golden sands of Fulham’s ‘beach’ finally confirm it; London can do anything. Forget Cornwall and Devon; with the Neverland beach club, you’ll find yourself whisked away to the water’s edge. Sure, it may only be the Thames but with Instagram-worthy rope swings, palm trees and pastel deck chairs, who’s counting? Bag your group a private beach hut or bubble for a luxury experience.
Place to stay: River View, in Kingston, will give you all of those city vibes as you’re having breakfast on your Thames-view balcony.
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4. Bison Beach Bar
Type: A festival-style beach bar
Location: East Sussex
Address: Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3PZ
Image credit: Bison Beach Bar
Brighton is a city that knows how to party and at nearby Worthing’s Bison Beach Bar they’ve created an art form. With craft beer showcasing Sussex specialities and a tasty street food kitchen, you’ll go for Worthing’s friendly beach but stay for the chilled-out vibes that the beach bar stretches out long into the evening. They even have heated cushions and a festival tent for colder evenings.
Place to stay: For a massive group get-together, the ten-sleeper Sea Dreams has everything you need.
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5. Black Rock Beach Club
Type: Restaurant and live music club
Location: Gwynedd
Address: Beach Rd, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog LL49 9YA
Image credit: Black Rock Beach Club
With a stunning location on Morfa Bychan Beach, the Black Rock Beach Club is a super relaxed gem in North Wales. The beach café serves up tasty pizzas and light bites in the day; then, as the sun goes down, live musicians set up for the evening chill session. Think acoustic vibes while you’re barefoot and sandy on the deck; the perfect way to round off a day at the beach.
Place to stay: With seaside views shining through the big, airy windows, and period features throughout, Bay View Apartment is a chic choice for large groups.
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6. The Watering Hole
Type: Beach bar
Location: Cornwall
Address: 19 St Pirans Road, Perranporth, TR6 0BH
The Watering Hole is more of a typical beach bar than a stay-all-day beach club, but as the UK’s only bar located directly on a beach, we thought it was worthy of a place on our list. Typical of Cornwall’s laid-back surfer vibe, the bar’s original 70’s set up was one man, a shack, and some deckchairs for hire. Nowadays you’ll get some decent live music and tasty food as well as the awesome surf.
Place to stay: The classy Beach Halt is a huge, fully detached cottage that sleeps 10, with a garden ideal for entertaining.
7. Sunset Beach Club
Type: Day-to-night club
Location: Dorset
Address: Pier Approach, Bournemouth BH2 5AA
There must be something in the water in Bournemouth, with not one but two top clubs on this list. Sunset Beach Club is a summertime pop-up from the team at Aruba, with a prime spot on the beach next to Bournemouth Pier. Think classy cocktails by day and slow descent into the nightly beach party, with DJs playing club classics, disco, house and more. On Fridays in August, you’ll have the best seat in town for Bournemouth’s weekly firework show. Group bookings are recommended.
Place to stay: Bored of relaxing on the beach? This immaculate House in Dorset comes complete with its own swimming pool; ideal for the morning after.
8. Bar H Beach Club
Type: Cafe and restaurant
Location: Berkshire
Address: Caversham Lakes, Henley Rd, Caversham, Reading RG4 9RA
Image credit: Bar H Beach Club
While not a beach per se, Caversham Lakes are a stunning retreat for the well-heeled in Reading’s bougie suburb of Caversham. It makes for a refreshing day trip from your country pad and is ideally set up for group fun. Get your kicks on the lake with stand-up paddleboarding and open water swimming, before retreating to the Bar H Beach Club for a sundowner.
Place to stay: In nearby Henley-on-Thames, Dolls House Luxury Townhouse is a beautifully-presented townhouse that will add wow to your holiday.
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9. The Club House
Type: Restaurant and bar
Location: Dorset
Address: Beach Rd, West Bexington, Dorchester DT2 9DF
Image credit: The Club House
If you’re looking for a chic beachside cocktail, this is the place. The Club House prides itself on using local suppliers, from Dorset vineyards and cider orchards to homegrown fishermen and cheesemakers. The covered pavilion overlooks the long pebbles of iconic Chesil Beach, creating an idyllic backdrop for those long summer evenings. Cocktail masterclasses and wellness treatments are also available.
Place to stay: At the magical Fossil and the Cross Cottage you’ll find utter peace - try taking your yoga mat to use in the gorgeous garden.
10. Carbis Bay Hotel and Beach Club
Type: Beachside restaurant
Location: Cornwall
Address: S W Coast Path, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2NW
Image credit: Carbis Bay Hotel and Beach Club
Walk straight off the beach and into the bar, at this low-key Hotel and Beach Club on the beautiful crescent arc of Carbis Bay. Sipping a chilled chardonnay with sandy feet and glistening turquoise waters, you could almost imagine it's the Mediterranean. The beach club is ideal for groups, with sharing plates available and fizz on tap.
Place to stay: You’ll be lulled to sleep every night with ocean noises at Sapphire, literally a stone’s throw from the golden sandy beach.
11. Beach House Bistro and Bar
Type: Eatery and Bar
Location: Lancashire
Address: Festival House The, Promenade, Blackpool FY1 1AP
Once you’ve had your fill of riding the rollercoasters at the pleasure beach, head down to the upmarket Beach House Bistro and Bar for their selection of bar snacks, main plates and tropical cocktails. Prop up the sea view bar with your pals, and sip pornstar martinis, while their acoustic musicians and DJs bring in the sunset.
Place to stay: Have the dream weekend at the beautiful 14-sleeper Cherry Tree House, complete with a hot tub and swanky bar area.
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