Between Newcastle Upon Tyne And Scarborough Is England's Coastal Town With Beaches And Local Eateries

Much has been written about the decline of England's seaside tourism. Martha Gill, a columnist for The Observer, wrote that "deprived coastal towns are now places of faded glory" in a 2026 article. However, Gill also offered some positivity around certain seaside towns with railway links to nearby cities reinventing themselves after decades of decline. Redcar is potentially one such town, located on the North Sea about 51 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne and 44 miles north of Scarborough. Like many British seaside towns, Redcar's heyday mostly spanned the 60s and 70s, but recent government funding (over $33 million) and renewed local passion have helped the traditional coastal enclave become a more enticing destination.

Redcar's local government, creators, and business owners are at the forefront of helping the town recapture its former glory days as much as possible. "Right through Redcar town centre we are improving, whether that's Redcar train station [...] the high street, or here on the esplanade," former local MP Jacob Young said to the BBC in 2023. "Culture and tourism are at the heart of that." Today, opinions on Redcar remain mixed, but that's no different from anywhere on the planet.

The town often receives praise for its local beaches. "The beach is great," one user said on the r/Teesside subreddit. Sure, you'll find the somewhat drab Playland Amusements casino along the esplanade. However, it also has multiple highly rated eateries, including ice cream parlors, seafood takeaway, and various bars and restaurants. There are also several landmarks, including the controversial Beacon, which some consider an expensive eyesore. Redcar isn't perfect, but if you want a traditional English seaside experience with a picturesque beach, good eating, and fewer crowds, it might deliver.

Redcar offers crowd-free, clean, and beautiful blue-water beaches that stretch along the North Sea either side of downtown. While it might look like one continuous 8-mile stretch of sand, Redcar's coastline comprises multiple beaches. The main Redcar Beach is the closest to downtown. Its considerable length makes it ideal for strolls along the sand. The tide goes out a long way, which can make swimming a bit of a trek, especially for families. 

As you move up the coastline, you'll reach Coatham Beach, which continues past the River Tees estuary to eventually end at the South Gare Breakwater and the historic South Gare Lighthouse. People love Coatham Beach at high tide, appreciating its quieter nature and safe swimming with gentle waves. "A wonderfully quiet beach with plenty of space and refreshing cold seawater for swimming," one beachgoer wrote in a Google Maps review. Heading down the coastline takes you to the Granville, Stray, and Marske beaches before reaching Saltburn Beach in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. That means that even if one part of the coastline feels busy, you can find quiet spots to spread out with towels, umbrellas, a good book, and occasional dips in the water.

It wouldn't be a proper British seaside getaway without exploring some of the seaside attractions. Whether you like its appearance or not, the Redcar Beacon is one of the best spots to soak up coastal views. The 80-foot tower captures 360-degree vistas of the water, beaches, town, and surrounding countryside. You can linger here at The Beacon Lounge, an alfresco dining space with intimate pods and ocean views. Stop at some of the beachfront landmarks, too, such as The Birger Anchor Mariners' Memorial and the cute Penguin Colony sculptures.

One thing separating Redcar from other English seaside towns, such as Penzance, Cornwall's artsy paradise, is the lemon top ice cream. This local delicacy was created in Redcar during the 1920s and remains a non-negotiable treat for many vacationers. Local ice creamery Pacittos is credited with inventing the lemon top and still does it well. Pacittos has two ice creameries: one on High Street and another on the beachfront esplanade. "Their lemon top was the best ice cream I had ever had," one person wrote in a Google Maps review.

You'll also find plenty of other eateries around town that don't require a sweet tooth. The Boathouse and Terrace is located beside Coatham Boating Lake. You can dine outside beside the lake or inside a relaxed dining room. One diner raved about the full English breakfast served here in a Google Maps review, while another complimented the live music at night. Cluck & Moo is considered the top restaurant in Redcar on Tripadvisor. Located in the hip Northern Quarter, it puts on a lively bottomless brunch and succulent Sunday roasts. All other times, the menu features various chicken and beef dishes, from burgers and wings to flame-grilled steaks and rotisserie chickens. If you're hungry, grab a parmo, a regional delicacy of butterflied chicken breast crumbed, cooked, and topped with bechamel sauce and cheese.

You can drive to Redcar in just over one hour from Newcastle upon Tyne or Scarborough. Both cities also offer trains or buses to Redcar, which take 1.5 and 2.5 hours, respectively. The town has multiple beachfront hotels and vacation rentals, plus options downtown. Want to explore the coastline more? Visit Alnmouth, a quaint English village with a beach and tasty eats. You could also head further north to Eyemouth, another coastal town with fishing and fresh seafood.