The UK beach with ‘more ice cream shops than anywhere else’ – and a fair that costs just £2 for all rides
A UK beach has been described as “awesome” and praised for the number of ice cream shops that can be found nearby.
It is also the site of one of the UK’s cheapest family days out, as well as an infamous and very strange crime.
Seaton Carew in County Durham is a popular place for families to go for a day out in the summer, with its long stretch of sand and sea, its promenade and golfing options all making it a worthwhile choice.
It sits on the North Sea coast, not far from Hartlepool, and the Beach Guide describe is as “popular with bathers and families looking for a good beach during the summer season”.
They also praise the options open to families away from the shore too, with entertainment and food options in abundance.
They added: “There are plenty of places to park and visitors will find arcades and a range of other low-key beach resort attractions along the beach.
“In Seaton Carew itself, just behind the beach, are some very popular chip shops and ice cream parlours.
“Whatever the season this is a great location for golfers with Seaton Carew Golf Links situated just behind the beach.”
In fact, the town has something of a reputation for its ice cream shops, with one American tourist saying she had never seen so many in one place.
She wrote on TripAdvisor: “Seaton Carew is an awesome beach. The waves are calm, no heavy riptides that pull you. There are seashells but not so much to hurt your feet.
“There is a great what we call in the states ‘boardwalk’ and more ice cream shops in one spot than I’ve seen anywhere in the world.”
Along the promenade places like Nice Cream, Supreme Ice Cream, Glady’s, Gelato Jojo, Seaton Gift & Rock Shop and Larry’s all compete to sell the best ice cream within 500ft of one another.
On warmer days, vans can also be seen along the road behind the beach as well, while Lofty’s crazy golf also has its own cafe, selling the sweet treat.
Amusement arcades, fish and chip shops and the Planet Funland fair are other beach-side options open to families, with Planet Funland claiming to be the “cheapest family day out in the North East”.
Children can have access to all rides and inflatables at the funfair for £2 every day during the summer holidays.
There are also food trucks at the fair selling fast food, sweets and, of course, more ice cream.
When the fair isn’t in town, kids can be seen learning to kayak in the sea, which is what the town is perhaps best known for.
Not its kayaking per se, but one infamous man and his kayak, which was used to commit one of the country’s strangest crimes.
In March 2002, John Darwin was seen taking his canoe from his home along the promenade to the sea. He then paddled out into the open water and was later declared missing, after failing to report for work.
It later transpired that John had faked his own death as part of a plan he hatched with his wife Anne, allowing her to withdraw hundreds of thousands of pounds in life insurance and pension money.
He moved into a bedsit they owned, next door to the house where he lived with his wife, and hid there before trying to move to Panama with Anne to set up a hotel and canoeing holiday business.
When that failed, John returned to the UK and attempted to fake amnesia before both he and Anne were arrested and jailed for more than six years for fraud.
Anyone interested in visiting can stay next door to John and Anne’s house at the Staincliffe Hotel, from £99 per night for two people, according to Booking.com.
Other accommodation in the town is available from £50 per night.
Meanwhile, these beaches made Lonely Planet’s list of the most stunning in Europe.
And this UK seaside town has been voted the cheapest in the country.