The best beaches in the UK

Whether you fancy splashing around in the sea or just a stroll on the sand with an ice cream, one thing’s for certain – summer is the perfect time to head to the beach. 

Thankfully, we Brits are spoilt for choice for beaches to decamp to when the heat sets in. 

The trick, of course, is knowing where to go.

If you fancy dodging donkey rides, arcades or naff tourist shops, make a beeline for one of these perfectly formed coastal escapes instead – where beautiful scenery, sweeping views and lungfuls of fresh sea air await.

1. Lunanbay Beach, Angus

This two-mile stretch of uninterrupted sand can be found between Dundee and Aberdeen, near the town of Angus in Scotland. Overlooked by a crumbling 12^th century fortress, the dreamy beach is popular with surfers and those looking to experience the sand that some visitors swear has a pink tone to it.

2. Saunton Sands, Devon

On the north Devon coast, near Barnstaple, you’ll find a three-mile stretch of golden sand popular among keen surfers. The only way to get there, however, is by clambering over the largest sand dunes in the UK – the Braunton Burrows. But the effort is well worth it. You might recognise this beach if you were a pop music aficionado in the ‘90s – as part of Robbie William’s ‘Angel’ music video was filmed here.

3. Sandsend, Whitby

On Yorkshire’s heritage coastline, Sandsend is a picturesque fishing village with a charming beach. At low tide, there are plenty of rock pools to explore and it’s the perfect place for fossil hunting. If visiting Sandsend for a weekend, book in to the Bridge Cottage Bistro on the Friday night to experience their seafood-heavy East Coast Tasting menu – six to nine courses plus a glass of wine for £40.

4. Blackpool Sands, Devon

With the appearance of golden sand (actually very small pebbles) and shimmering azure waters, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were lying on a beach on the Algarve when visiting Blackpool Sands. The crescent beach is sheltered, making it popular with families, and is just three miles from Dartmouth.

5. Formby Beach, near Liverpool

Dramatic dunes make way for stunning views across the Irish Sea at Formby Beach and even the mountains of Cumbria can be seen on a clear day. With coastal erosion steadily happening here, look out for prehistoric human and animal footprints in the mud and be sure to visit the red squirrel reserve in the woodlands behind.

6. Rhossili beach, The Gower Peninsula

Stretching languorously along the Gower Peninsular in South Wales, the dog-friendly Rhossili Bay features a magic combination of rugged coves and large expanses of golden sand. Described as ‘the supermodel of British beaches’, Rhossili is not just three miles of pretty face, it’s also provides the ideal conditions for surfing – especially on the quieter northern stretch. Take one of the walking routes to see it from above.

7. Porthcurno, Cornwall

Just three miles shy of Land’s End in the far west of Cornwall, Porthcurno is blessed with soft white sand and turquoise water that wouldn’t look out of place in Barbados. On the cliffs above it you’ll find the Minack Theatre, which puts on stunning alfresco performances. Dogs are not allowed during the summer months.

8. Studland Bay, Dorset

Studland has four miles of golden beach with shallow waters that idea for bathing , beach huts, sand dunes, an abundance of wildlife – and views across to the Isle of White on a good day. Be warned, it’s a naturist beach.

9. West Wittering, West Sussex

View of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs make the West Witterings a very special place – and wildly popular with families. If picnicking isn’t hardcore enough for you, it’s also a great spot for wind and kite surfing. Take a boat round to swim off East Head beach for a real treat.

10. Holkham Beach, Norfolk

The subject of many a painting and star of a fair few films (Shakespeare in Love for one), Holkham is part of a National Nature Reserve and known for its huge expanse of fine sand, particularly at low tide and its bordering sand dunes and pine woodlands. Its beach huts go for a small fortune.

11. Durdle Door, Dorset

Part of the glorious Jurassic Coast, the Instagrammable Durdle Door takes its name from the impressive limestone arch between St Oswald’s Bay and Man O’War Cove. Since it’s a bit of a challenge to get to – you have to climb down several hundred steps in the cliff – it’s rarely overcrowded. The water is superbly clear, but also superbly cold.

12. Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Set on the north Cornwall coast not far from Newquay, enormous Atlantic waves make it a surfing mecca as well as a sand-castle and rockpooling building hotspot. If you’re into horses, don’t miss the annual Polo on the Beach in late June. Foodies can book into Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restaurant which overlooks the bay.

13. Scarista Beach, Hebrides

If a stunning Scottish wilderness is what you’re after, then head to the Hebridean Isle of Harris for its lunar landscape and lush moorlands. Scarista Beach on the south side of the island is an immense stretch of pale gold sand and not particularly Scottish turquoise shallows backed by dunes. Seal and eagle spotting very likely.

14. Talisker Bay, Isle of Skye

One for budding photographers rather than sun worshippers, Talisker sits on the West Coast of Skyne near where the famous ‘Taslisker’ whisky is distilled. Go at low tide to see the grey sandy beach, which is covered in rounded grey rocks and surrounded by high cliffs and a huge waterfall – or in the evening to catch it at its most photogenic.

15.Bamburgh Bay, Northumberland

Sixteen miles of golden sand dunes and a castle is what you get in the village of Bamburgh, which nestles nicely in Northumberland’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Remember it’s the North Sea you’ll be swimming in.

16. Yellowcraigs, East Lothian

Visit this sandy cove on a clear day and you’ll get stunning views to Fife and the lighthouse onto Fidra island – which was famous for being the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Horseback riding across the beach is popular, while the nearby town of Dirleton, with its quaint shopping streets and its historic castle are within easy walking distance. 

17. Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Nestled between Freshwater Bay and Brook, postcard-perfect Compton Bay boasts glorious golden sands and chalky white cliff faces. Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts will love its frequent high winds and wives – especially in the winter months. Fossil hunters will want to visit at low tide, where large dinosaur footprints can be seen imprinted on the rock ledges. 

18. Southwold, Suffolk

Charming Southwold with its Instagrammable pastel beach huts might just be the most quintessentially English resort town going. There’s homemade ice creams, a working lighthouse, a Victorian pier, a sand and shingle beach, some fine coastal pubs and, of course, lungfuls of fresh sea air. 

19. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire

Secluded and unspoilt Barafundle bay on the south-west coast of Wales is regularly voted one of the best in the country. It’s golden beach and turquoise seas are flanked by dramatic limestone headlands which act as a natural break on windy days. The nearest car park is over half a mile away – so make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes. 

20. Pentle Bay, Tresco

At first glance, Pentle Bay – with its gleaming white sands and tropical waters – could be mistaken for the Caribbean, when in fact it lies 30 miles south of Land’s End on the Isles of Scilly. It has a flora-rich sand dune system which kids will love exploring while the beach itself is a great place to collect shells, go for a paddle or simply lie back and soak up the rays.

21. Luskentyre, Harris

You might recognise this area as the setting of the BBC’s Castaway series. Set on the beautiful west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides, dramatic Luskentyre boasts miles of sandy beach, sweeping sand dunes and clear waters. Take the short walk onto Traigh Rosamul for a wonderful view of the north Harris mountains. 

22. Bigbury-on-sea, Devon

This popular family beach overlooks the famous Burgh Island with its Gatsby-esque 1920s hotel. At low tide you can walk over to the island where there are fantastic views across South Devon, while the local sea tractor provides a novel way of getting back on dry land when the tide comes in. During the summer months, the South Devon climate is almost Mediterranean, and the beach itself is a brilliant place to build a sandcastle, enjoy an ice cream and explore the sea creatures in its many rock pools.