Swanpool Beach

Swanpool takes its character from the freshwater pool that sits directly behind it. The lake is a brackish mix of salt and fresh water and forms the heart of a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to over a hundred species of bird, with grebes, tufted ducks, siskins and kingfishers among the regular visitors. The lagoon is also famous as the only place in Britain where you will find the trembling sea mat, a tiny marine animal found nowhere else in the country.

The beach itself is compact and sheltered, with calm, clear water that suits an easy swim or a paddle close to town. It is an established base for watersports, with a long-running school on the sand offering sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and coasteering through the year, alongside a well-regarded beach cafe.