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When you think of a great beach vacation you probably think of the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, the Mediterranean coast or a similar location. But which is your favourite UK beach? With the word “crisis” still in the air, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on the holiday budget and there’s no better way to do that than to combine home exchange with a domestic trip (or a even a few) to save both on accommodation and transportation.

They may not be the as dreamy and warm as the Caribbean’s, but there are hundreds of beautiful beaches in the UK’s 19,000 miles of coastline just waiting for you.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) through its Good Beach Guide gives the following recommendations to enjoy your time at the beach:

* Check the public notice boards for information on water quality, currents and emergency phones.
* Follow any advice from lifeguards and understand the system of safety flags.
* Never leave young children unsupervised.
* Do not swim when the sea is rough, or where there are known currents or riptides.
* Do not use inflatable beds or toys - currents can easily take you out of sight.
* Swim parallel to the shore rather than out to sea.
* Do not swim immediately after a meal and never after drinking alcohol.
* If you’ve been ill after bathing report the illness to Surfers Against Sewage Tel: 0845 458 3001
* If you see someone in trouble, alert the lifeguards, or contact the Coastguard (999) - DO NOT ATTEMPT to rescue them yourself, unless you are qualified and have help.

The MCS also has a list of recommended beaches based on water quality, so it may be a good idea to check if your favourite beach is in their list!