York may not be at the seaside – but it does have a pretty nifty beach…
For the second year running urban beach Coppergate Strand has opened. And the free attraction will be here throughout August.
The sands at the Coppergate Centre provide a place for youngster to play and the grown ups to chill out and relax sitting in the deckchairs.
“Our urban beach was fantastically popular when we launched it last summer, so we were keen to bring it back to bring an extra bit of summer fun to the Coppergate Centre,” said centre manager Pippa Unwin.
“As last year, there will be deckchairs available on the beach for visitors throughout the day, with a host of buckets, spades and sand moulds for children to enjoy the sandy space.
“With the finest Italian gelato available from Scoops, and hot and cold drinks to take away from Carluccios and Bagel Nash, everyone can enjoy a bit of al fresco fun this summer.”
Viking origins
Coppergate Strand also incorporates an area for rinsing hands and feet – essential for avoiding spending the rest of the day with sand in your shoes.
Coppergate Centre, York YO1 9NT
Daily till the end of the schools summer holidays
Free
Windbreaks around the edges preserve the popular seating area and ensure that summer breezes do not blow the fine sand away.
In keeping with the Viking heritage of Coppergate – which is the Norse word for ‘street of the cup maker’ – the name Coppergate Strand is also of Viking origin, as ‘strond’ is the Norse word for ‘beach’.
Famous London thoroughfare The Strand in London was a sandy area by the riverside during the time of the Vikings, and its name has stuck for more than 1,000 years.
“We know that a huge number of families come into the city centre to prepare for their summer holidays, so this is a great opportunity for one parent to go off shopping for last-minute essentials in Fenwick, TopShop or Primark whilst the other keeps the children entertained outside,” Pippa said.
And “if we are optimistic” and look forward to sunnier weather in the rest of August, “Boots has a full range of suncare products so that visitors can spend more time in the square without worrying about burning!”