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Nottingham Post

Entertainment

Daniela Loffreda

The three cleanest beaches less than a two-hour drive from Nottinghamshire

Nottingham Nottinghamshire Mablethorpe Skegness Lincolnshire Morrisons

Bank holiday Monday is tantalisingly close and many will be looking forward to enjoying a well-deserved long weekend. And with Nottinghamshire set to experience the hottest day of the year so far this weekend, reaching a high of 21C, many will be looking to head out and enjoy the sun.

And what better way to bask in the warm weather than a trip to the beach? While a trip out at the coast can be fun, being in the Midlands often means heading to the shore has got to be a full-day event.

And if you're going to make the journey, you want to be sure the beach you head to is both stunning and clean. Blue Flag is an international award given to well-managed beaches with high water quality, and fortunately, England has 77 to choose from - you can find your closest here.

For those of us in Nottinghamshire, a trip to the beach is at least a couple of hours each way. But luckily, there are three beaches less than a two-hour drive from the county that have received the prestigious award.

Take a look at Nottinghamshire's closest beaches and what they have to offer:

Central Beach, Skegness

Skegness beach is well-known for its funfair attractions (PA)

A popular choice for those heading to the seaside from the East Midlands, Skegness is a well-known and much-loved beach on the Lincolnshire coast. The resort is known for catering to all age groups, with traditional amusement park rides, including fan favourite Fantasy Island.

There's also a seal sanctuary that makes good use of its shoreside location. Central Beach also benefits from a vintage pier that offers bowling, laser quest, and soft play.

And if you fancy heading off the sandy shores to explore the town, you'll find an array of close-by restaurants, fish and chip outlets, beach shops and arcades.

Swimming at the site is good, and when the wind is up there can be good surfing and bodyboarding too. Lifeguard cover at the beach is from June to September.

Skegness is a one-hour 38-minute drive from Newark on Trent, and two hours and 18 minutes from Nottingham city centre and there are a number of car parks close to the beach.

Alternatively, you can hop on a train from Nottingham train station, which takes you directly to the coast. But those looking to travel between July 9 and September 9 should be aware of new rules for those looking to jump on an East Midlands Railway service.

Passengers wanting to guarantee a space on trains to the Lincolnshire resort will need to pre-book, and a new queuing system, prioritising those who had pre-booked will be in operation.

Sutton-on-Sea

Sutton-On-Sea is another gem on the Lincolnshire shoreline just waiting to be explored. Slightly further north than Skegness, this beach offers beautiful views, without the hustle and bustle of a busy resort-style location.

This makes Sutton-on-Sea ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway or families with slightly older children, looking for some peace and quiet.

The nearby village boasts a number of interesting independent shops to explore, as is often popular with retired folk looking for an idyllic life by the sea. But its quiet nature doesn't mean it isn't packed with attractions, restaurants and events.

Thanks to its popularity with tourists, Sutton-on-Sea has a number of cafes, coffee shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy - as well as its speciality of fish and chips. The beach has maintained its coastal village feel and kept away from funfairs and attractions - but has remained a popular choice with holiday-makers.

One Google reviewer said: "A beautiful beach just the way it should be. Fairly quiet, calm and relaxing with no arcades or loud bars.. Perfect for those who like the quiet life."

Another wrote: "Lovely clean spacious beach... Peaceful, quiet, serene, with fresh sea air and gorgeous views .. just my thing!"

A third added: "This is a great beach, so clean, tidy and well looked after."

Sutton-on-Sea is one hour 40 minutes by car from Newark-on-Trent, or two hours 16 minutes from Nottingham. Those looking to get there by public transport can take the Nottingham train to Skegness, then a final bus to Sutton-on-Sea.

Mablethorpe

Mablethorpe is perhaps one of the busier beaches on the Lincolnshire coast, but that hasn't impacted its water quality. With fairground attractions and donkey rides and a plethora of eateries, it's a popular choice for families with younger kids, or even adults looking to for a bit of fun.

Dunes Leisure is a family-friendly, funfair at the end of the High Street and offers hours of entertainment for all ages. And with promises of low prices, its ideal for those looking to get away for the day on a budget.

Rides on offer include the dodgems, a ghost train and the waltzers - all just metres away for a pristine beach with golden sand that stretches for miles.

One visitor said in a review: "With a mixture of fine sand and a little bit rockier, we went to this beach as a family and we had a brilliant time. There’s a parking lot across the beach and a free pool for the kids. The water was pretty warm too."

A second added: "One of the best beaches in the east coast. Close parking and shops. Huge beach space with great gold soft sand. Easy access for disabled people.

A third penned: "Beautiful beach, the kids thoroughly enjoyed it as much as we did. Lovely day out with the family."

Mablethorpe is one hour 53 minutes away from Newark by car, or a two hour 19-minute drive from the city centre Alternatively, those travelling from Nottingham train station can ride the train to Skegness, then get a bus to Mablethorpe.