Collection: Beach Towels

When you’re preparing for a day on the Mediterranean sands, not all towels are created equal. The most common question we receive at Yorkshire Linen is: "What is the difference between a standard bath towel and a specialist beach towel?" The answer lies in the weave and the finish of the cotton.

Most premium beach towels feature a Velour finish on one side. Velour is created by shearing the loops of the cotton, resulting in a silky-smooth, velvet-like surface. This isn't just for luxury—it serves a very practical purpose. The sheared surface makes it much harder for sand to get trapped in the fibres. A simple shake of a velour towel usually sends the sand flying, whereas a standard "looped" (terry) bath towel will trap sand deep within the pile, which eventually ends up in your car or your washing machine.

On the reverse side, our beach towels typically feature a traditional Terry loop. This ensures that while the top side is soft for sunbathing and sand-resistant, the underside remains highly absorbent for when you step out of the sea.

Another factor to consider is the GSM (Grams per Square Metre). While you want a heavy, 700 GSM towel for your bathroom, a beach towel is often better at a mid-weight range (around 400-500 GSM). Why? Because a beach towel needs to be portable. It needs to roll up tightly into a beach bag and, most importantly, it needs to dry relatively quickly in the sun so it’s not a heavy, soggy mess by the time you’re ready to head home. Our collection is specifically curated to find that "sweet spot" between plush comfort and practical portability.

If you’ve ever tried to relax on a standard-sized towel on a sunbed, you know the frustration of the "towel creep"—where the towel slides down, leaving your head or feet touching the plastic of the lounger. This is why the Jumbo Beach Sheet has become the undisputed king of the Spanish summer.

A standard bath towel is usually around 70cm x 130cm. Our Jumbo Beach Sheets, however, often measure a massive 100cm x 150cm or even 100cm x 175cm. This extra width and length provide total coverage for almost any standard sunbed or "hamaca." It creates a clean, hygienic barrier between you and the lounger, and gives you plenty of room to roll over without ending up in the sand.

For families or couples, we have also seen a huge rise in the popularity of the "Roundie" (Round Beach Towel). These are fantastic for "base camp" on the beach. Because they are circular, you don't need to constantly move your towel as the sun shifts; you simply rotate your body. They also provide a much larger surface area for kids to sit and play on, keeping them away from the hot sand.

Beyond the size, our beach towels are famous for their vibrant, colour-fast dyes. We know that the Spanish sun is intense and that chlorine and salt water can be harsh. Our towels are designed to maintain their "pop" of colour season after season. Whether you prefer classic nautical stripes, tropical floral prints, or bold geometric patterns, a high-quality beach sheet from Yorkshire Linen is a statement of style as much as it is a holiday necessity.

A high-quality beach towel is an investment in your summer comfort, and with the right care, it can last for many years. The three biggest enemies of a beach towel are salt, chlorine, and dried-in sand.

The Golden Rule: Rinse Immediately. Even if you aren't going to do a full laundry load that evening, you should always rinse your beach towels in fresh water as soon as you get home. Salt water and chlorine are corrosive; if left to dry into the fabric, they can make the fibres brittle and cause the colours to fade prematurely. A quick rinse helps neutralise these elements.

Dealing with Sand: Never put a sandy towel straight into the washing machine. Over time, sand can damage the drum and the pump of your machine. The best method is to wait until the towel is completely dry, give it a vigorous shake outside, and then use a vacuum attachment on a low setting if the sand is particularly stubborn. Only once the sand is gone should it go into the wash.

The Vinegar Trick: Just like with our bath towels, we recommend avoiding heavy fabric softeners on beach towels, as it reduces their ability to dry you off after a swim. Instead, add a splash of white vinegar to the wash. It helps lock in those bright Mediterranean colours and breaks down any lingering salt or suncream residue.

When drying, try to avoid "over-baking" them in the midday sun. While the sun is a great natural sanitiser, too much UV can eventually break down the cotton fibres. Aim for a shaded, breezy spot for the best results, or a quick tumble on low heat to keep that velour side feeling silky smooth for your next trip to the shore.