Just imagine it: A sandy beach, a café, stripy deckchairs, the lapping of water, and the occasional cry of a seagull overhead.
But this isn’t some distant sunny paradise, or even the North Bay at Scarborough – this is in the heart of York!
The YO1 Beach Club is a new family-friendly space preparing to open in Tower Gardens at the foot of Skeldergate Bridge next month.
Free to enter, it will run from Thursday 24 June until Sunday 5 September.
The YO1 Beach Club is designed to be “a fun and safe urban oasis” away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping streets, with peaceful views of the river and passing boats.
It will include a wood-panelled covered café and veranda with a boardwalk entrance across a beach area styled with striped deckchairs, bunting, and lobster pots.
Four brightly coloured beach huts on the sand will serve teas and coffees, ice creams, as well as beach apparel and toys.
Mocktails and milkshakes
The YO1 Beach Club is produced by Coopers Marquees, a family-run, York-based business which is now the tenth largest marquee company in the UK.
They will be putting on an open barbecue serving a choice of grilled food as well as a menu for kids.
The café menu includes refreshing mocktails, milkshakes and coke floats as well as coffee and a non-alcoholic range of drinks.
YO1 Beach Club info
The YO1 Beach Club will be open from 9.30am until 6pm daily (from 9am at weekends) from 24 June to 5 September
Kids’ birthday and party packages are also available, with advance bookings being taken
Find out more at their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages
The YO1 Beach Club will support two charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and York Rescue Boat
A separate, canvas-covered children’s sandpit will keep kids entertained as well as sheltered from the sun or rain, with a dinghy to climb aboard and a seahorse treasure hunt.
Coopers Marquees supplies a range of structures to events large and small including York Racecourse and The Great Yorkshire Show.
CEO Johnny Cooper said: “York has so many wonderful public spaces, and to be able to create a beach vibe in a beautiful park beside the river is a great opportunity and will provide a novel and fun destination for locals and staycationers alike.”
Rachel Harvey, development manager at Make It York said “The YO1 Beach Club will be a fabulous family-friendly addition to York’s city centre – offering a unique setting for residents and visitors to sit and enjoy the lovely riverside views.”