The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Great Food by The Sea

Find a BBQ-friendly Beach

Some beaches encourage barbecuing with hardly any restrictions. Others allow it under very strict conditions. Many just say no, always for excellent reasons.

If we listed all the varying rules from Scotland to Cornwall, Northern Ireland to East Anglia, this article would be longer than a Harry Potter novel, and a lot less fun to read. So let's just be clear about the first rule of beach BBQ success: check the beach rules before you plan anything!

Here are just a few examples to illustrate how much regulations differ between local authorities:

• Cornwall permits portable charcoal and disposable barbecues, but gas grills are not allowed on their beaches.
• Bournemouth states that barbecues are only permitted on beaches after 6 pm, allows gas or charcoal and insists that you only use areas close to the cinder bins provided.
• Brighton and Hove forbids BBQs between Brighton's two piers and also has an "only after 6 pm" rule.

That's just a snapshot of southern England, but you'll find equally divergent policies everywhere in the UK. Our clear advice is to always Google the beach you're fancying first, or call the local council for advice — and of course stick strictly to the rules once you've discovered them. Barbecue responsibly as well as deliciously.

Take ready-to-grill food along

Don't poison your guests is another important BBQing rule. That means ensuring that the food is fully cooked before serving it up, which can only be achieved by prepping, chopping and, in some cases, pre-cooking, in the comfort of your holiday home kitchen.

• Do your marinating in advance, partly to save yourself a messy job at the beach, but mainly to let maximum flavour soak in
• Cut everything up ready to just pop on the grill
• Partially pre-cook foods that need a lot of cooking, such as chicken breasts, then you can just finish them off on the barbecue, so the hungry hordes don't have to wait too long
• Skewer meat, fish or vegetables in advance if you're keen on kebabs
• Prepare side dishes and salads in advance — sealable boxes and jars are your friend
• Take small, carefully sealed containers of sauces, dressings and dips to avoid waste
• Use cool bags or ice bags to keep food fresh and drinks chilled
• Have plenty of water on hand, as well as booze and soft drinks

Think beyond basic bangers and burgers

New and surprising flavours keep barbecues interesting and varied, especially if you're having them regularly. Home-made burgers can be tastier than store-bought for example (here's a great recipe to get you started). And why not make the most of the small shops in your holiday location?

If you're near a beach, you're bound to be close to a source of freshly caught, ocean-fresh fish and seafood, and they'll be happy to scale, skin and fillet it for you. Speciality sausages and burgers are readily available in supermarkets, but even better from local suppliers. Small craft bakeries are a safer bet than the big chains for tasty buns, exotic breads and cakes for afters. Be sure to sample the regional beers and ciders as well.

Cater for the little ones

Small children may eat the steaks, sausages and burgers from the BBQ, but then again they may not. That's why, if kids are present, it's wise to have some child-friendly options handy.

Fish fingers or a pasta dish you can warm-up on the grill for example.

Let the grill heat up at its own pace

Any experienced outdoor chef will tell you that you can't hurry your barbie. It's essential to wait for the coals to turn grey with no flames before cooking anything. Better to delay for a few extra minutes than end up with food that's burnt on the outside, raw on the inside. That satisfying sizzle when meat juices fall onto coals at the perfect temperature is well worth the wait.

During cooking, be sure to turn everything over at least twice, so it cooks through and can caramelise on both sides. And always let meat rest before serving to retain the flavoursome juices.