What to pack for a day at the beach

Start by checking the weather, tide times and any local beach information before you travel. Pack for comfort, food, drinks, shade and carrying everything easily. Useful beach accessories include towels, a picnic blanket, cool bag, reusable water bottles, spare layers, sun cream and a beach shelter. If you’re taking heavier items, a beach trolley can make the walk easier. It’s also worth checking beach signs when you arrive and keeping a rubbish bag with you so you can take litter home.  

For a UK beach day, pack for warm, cool and windy conditions. Bring beach towels, spare layers, sun cream, a hat, water bottles, snacks and a bag for wet clothing. For comfort, consider a picnic blanket, camping chairs, a fold-out table and a pop up shelter. A cool box or cool bag can help keep food and drinks together while you travel. If the beach is pebbly or rocky, water shoes may be useful.  

Commonly forgotten beach items include spare clothes, a bag for wet swimwear, reusable water bottles, rubbish bags, phone chargers and extra layers. People also forget practical comfort items, such as a picnic blanket, camping chairs or a beach shelter for wind and shade. If you’re taking food, remember cutlery, napkins and sealed containers. For pebbly beaches, water shoes can be helpful, especially if you’ll be walking near rocks or rock pools.  

Avoid taking anything that is difficult to carry, easy to damage or likely to blow away in the wind. Heavy glass items, bulky furniture, valuables and too many bags can make the day harder to manage. It’s also sensible to avoid bringing more food, toys or equipment than you can comfortably carry back. If you’re unsure what facilities are nearby, keep your packing practical and choose items that are easy to clean, fold or store.  

Water shoes can be useful for pebbly beaches, rocky areas, rock pools or beaches where the ground feels uneven underfoot. They may also help if you prefer not to walk barefoot across hot sand or stones. They are not essential for every beach trip, so think about the type of beach you’re visiting and what you plan to do there. If you’re mainly sitting on sand, sandals or easy slip-on shoes may be enough.  

Families may find it helpful to pack a beach shelter, towels, spare clothes, a picnic blanket, cool bag, water bottles and simple beach games. A beach trolley can also be useful if you’re carrying chairs, toys, food and extra layers. Keep everyday items easy to reach, especially snacks, drinks, sun cream and spare clothing. For younger children, a wet bag or spare carrier bag is handy for sandy shoes, damp towels and used swimwear.  

Yes, camping chairs can be useful at the beach, especially for longer days or if you prefer not to sit directly on the sand. Choose chairs that are easy to fold and carry, and check whether they feel stable on the type of beach you’re visiting. Sand and shingle can make some chairs less steady, so set them up carefully. If space is limited, a picnic blanket may be easier to use.  

Use a cool bag or cool box and keep it closed as much as possible. Pack drinks, snacks and lunch in sealed containers so everything stays organised while you travel. If you’re using ice packs, place the items you’ll need later lower down and keep light snacks near the top. Where possible, keep your cool bag in the shade rather than direct sun. Always follow food storage instructions on packaging.