Coastal staycation destination with a ‘great beach’ where parking is free

Staycations often work out cheaper than going abroad but those who drive still need to consider added costs like petrol and parking when budgeting.

This is especially true for seaside destinations where people often spend entire days at the beach and risk paying steep charges to keep their vehicle nearby.

But with more than 7,000 miles of the British coastline to explore it can be hard to know where to go to avoid costly fees.

Some beach spots cost more than £8 per day to park nearby, though if Britons look in the right place, they will find flat rates of just £3 to park near the shore.

According to travel experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, St Andrews East Beach in Fife, Scotland is up there as the cheapest place to park.

READ MORE: ‘Number one’ cheap staycation spot in the UK is perfect for dolphin spotting

The online tourist guide for St Andrews claimed that the largest free car park is just off the Petheram Bridge roundabout, on the way into St Andrews from the West.

Cars can be parked here for the whole day free of charge, though spaces are limited, especially during busy periods.

Located on the south side of the old harbour, St Andrews East Sands is popular with both locals and visitors to Fife.

And as a dog-friendly spot, it’s ideal for solo travellers, families or any other groups visiting with their canine companions.

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Visitors who have explored the Scottish destination praised the “great beach”, adding that it’s worth a visit even in the winter.

On Tripadvisor, one person advised that the “easy parking” was “just at the back of the beach”, so it’s easy to access the shoreline without having to wander too far.

Another staycation goer from Seaham, UK, wrote: “We enjoyed a pleasant walk on this award-winning beach. There’s a play area, outdoor fitness gym equipment, clean toilets and free parking. What’s not to like?”

While East Sands Beach is the go-to destination for Britons to visit in Fife, the larger West Beach is not too far away and also has great parking facilities, according to reviews.

According to the Nationwide Vehicle Contracts team, Whitley Bay in North Tyneside and Black Rock in Cornwall are among the other “best UK beaches” to drive to this summer.

Based on parking rates, the experts recommended the following destinations:

  • Whitley Bay, North Tyneside – £3 all-day parking
  • Black Rock, Cornwall – £5 all-day parking
  • Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire – £5 all-day parking
  • White Park Bay, Northern Ireland – free all-day parking
  • St Andrews East Sands – free all-day parking

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