5 Beaches Near Ely, Cambridgeshire: Where to Go for Sun, Sea, and Sand

Rising above Cambridgeshire Fens, Ely is the city with something to suit everyone, from a vibrant food scene to the monastic buildings of the city’s past. Ely packs a considerable amount into its small city. However, one thing Ely doesn’t have is a beach. Thankfully, there are lots of beaches nearby. Below we will discuss some of the best beaches located within a two hour drive of Ely:

1. Lowestoft, Suffolk

Lowestoft is an excellent choice if you’re planning a day trip from Ely to the beach. This seaside town is just a two-hour drive from Cambridgeshire, meaning you can easily make the round trip in a day. But why is this location at the top of our list?

For many years now, Suffolk has been regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in the UK, after Cambridgeshire. This seaside location has a lot to offer visitors, including some of the best sandy beaches around, an array of charming beach huts, and some delicious eateries close to the beach.

While here, tourists should take time to grab some fish and chips, relax on the sand, and visit one of the quaint beach huts to change into their designer swimming shorts before heading out into the water.

2. Holkham, Norfolk

Another beach that tourists should visit is Holkham Beach in Norfolk. This beach has been highly rated by the Telegraph newspaper. And it’s not just the Telegraph that thinks it’s great; it has been named the best beach in the UK on several occasions.

Holkham is just a 90-minute drive from Ely and has much to offer tourists. From its vast stretch of golden sands, lined with pine forests, to the stately home and estate of Holkham Hall, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

3. Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Wells-next-the-Sea is located just a short walk from Holkham; however, the beach here is entirely different from the one we discussed above. Instead of a vast open beach, Wells-next-the-Sea offers a smaller, more sheltered beach. But don’t let this put you off visiting; this seaside town has much to amuse tourists. From its harbour with small fishing boats to its independent shops just a short walk away, you certainly won’t get bored in this part of Norfolk.

4. Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Aldeburgh Beach is the perfect choice if you prefer pebble beaches to sandy ones. This picturesque pebble beach is located on the river Alde, and is known for its shingle and Blue Flag beach status. On top of this, along the seafront are several historic yet quirky buildings for tourists to explore, including the 400-year-old Moot Hall.

5. Hunstanton, Norfolk

Tourists looking for a vibrant seaside town should consider visiting Hunstanton. This small town has a lot to offer tourists, including stunning striped cliffs, magnificent sunsets, an outstanding Sea Life Sanctuary and many more attractions to keep you and the kids busy.

Ely has a lot to offer its visitors, from a magnificent Cathedral to the Ely Museum. As well as this, it has some outstanding beaches nearby. If you’re looking for sun, sea, and sand, why not check out the beaches listed above?