YOU often don’t have to travel far in the UK before you reach an amazing beach.
But often figuring out which beach you want to go to and where will be worth it, can be tricky.
Whether you want a quiet spot ideal for the family, or a more tropical feel beach, here are 26 of the best beaches across the UK to visit this year.
Traeth Lligwy, Anglesey
The island of Anglesey and my favourite is Traeth Lligwy which I discovered during a stay in Moelfre.
I hiked the coastal path from the village across to the beach which is glorious in the summertime.
It has stretches of golden sands, and when the tide goes out, a natural paddling pool forms in the middle as water gets trapped behind a sandbank.
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I’ve heard you can even spot dolphins amongst the waves if you’re lucky.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Whitesands Bay, Scotland
A gentle curve of fine, clean sand offers peace and seclusion in this great spot near Dunbar in Lothian.
Perfect for morning strolls as it is east-facing and gets the best of the early sunshine.
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With rockpools at low tide and backed by grasslands of wild flowers it’s a perfect spot for walking the dogs.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Kennack Sands, Cornwall
Cornwall is full of fantastic beaches, and one that I don’t think gets
enough praise is Kennack Sands on the Lizard Coast.
The huge stretch of white sand has everything from rock pools and
surfing, to beach streams and watersports.
The beachfront cafe serves excellent homemade food and huge crab
sandwiches, and it’s a short drive to Ann’s pasties in Heston –
arguably the best pasties in the whole of Cornwall.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
West Sands Beach, Scotland
You’ll instantly recognise this wide stretch of sands as it featured in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire.
The Scottish city may be best known for its university, but there’s plenty to enjoy on the beach as well as views of the famous St Andrew’s Golf Club.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Crackington Haven, Cornwall
Tucked between a road and two cliffs, Crackington Haven is one that you have to know about to find.
Its secluded location means there isn’t much else to do there apart from catch some waves with the other surfers.
Warm up at the drink shack, where you’ll find the showers, or head to The Coombe Barton Inn for a hearty roast dinner.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Southwold Beach
I’ve been visiting Southwold for years, the sandy beach always draws me back whether it be summer or winter.
You can take a stroll to see the multi-coloured beach huts, as well as the traditional amusement arcades on the pier.
The town has great shops as well as an Adnams brewery – you can go and experience tastings and tours too.
When it comes to enjoying the classic seaside fish and chips, make sure to head out of town to the harbour where you can pick some up at the Sole Bay Fish Company.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Walberswick Beach, Suffolk
Nature lovers will enjoy this picturesque spot just a short stroll from the Suffolk town of Southwold.
Backed by sand dunes it is bordered on both sides by a nature reserve with stunning marsh and heathland.
It’s also known as the home of British crabbing and a visit could reward you with supper!
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Portobello Beach, Edinburgh
Edinburgh isn’t just a fantastic spot for a city break, it also has an amazing beach.
Portobello Beach is a popular spot and features a long stretch of golden sand, with a Victorian promenade running alongside it.
The waters are usually calmer here and quite shallow, which makes it an ideal spot for some paddling or wading.
Families can also enjoy a range of facilities such as a historic Victorian swimming pool and lots of cosy cafes and bars.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Thornham Beach, North Norfolk
Thornham Beach in North Norfolk is a favourite with dog-walkers and locals in the know.
Walk down a scenic coastal path through wild forests to reach a clearing of vast sea, sands and crisp blue skies.
It’s not the place for deckchairs or ice creams – but it’s certainly the place for hikes, birdwatching and letting the dog run wild.
It’s a great beach to escape to if you’re looking for total silence, broken only by wind and waves.
The nearby Lifeboat Inn is a cosy, traditional pub serving home-cooked food and local ales, overlooking the marshes.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Writer
Barricane Beach, Devon
Exotic shells brought by the waves all the way from the Caribbean have been found gracing the golden sands of this beach at the northern end of Woolacombe in Devon.
Rocky outcrops are perfect for rockpooling and the waters are clear and calm in summer.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
North Beach, Tenby
Each summer growing up, I would visit Tenby to see family.
The small Welsh seaside town has a traditional charm to it and it is a great spot for those wanting to explore outside of England.
North Beach is one of a few great beaches in the area, but is ideal for all types of visitors.
For example, if you love history there is the harbour, known for its Georgian architecture and day trips to Caldey Island.
There is also Goscar Rock – a prominent rock in the bay – and watersports lovers will find plenty of activities.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Sandgate Beach, Kent
The beach in Sandgate is often overlooked by tourists, who stay on the main strip in Folkestone.
Yet it also means it is where the locals go – so you can expect far fewer crowds.
Order an ice cream or coffee at the beach hut on the promenade, or a pint at the Ship Inn which has huge windows overlooking the ocean.
The high street is worth a stroll too, with cafes and vintage shops to explore.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
North Beach, St Annes
Backed by dunes between Blackpool and Lytham St Annes, at low tide there’s 300metres of clean, golden sands perfect for building sandcastles and playing beach games.
It’s strong sea breezes make it perfect for kite flyers and the dunes provide shelter for picnics.
St Anne’s itself has an elegant Victorian pier for summer strolls.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Sidmouth Beach
You can’t beat a trip to Devon in the height of summer, and one of my favourite spots is Sidmouth – you can head down to the shingle beach from the famous Jacob’s Ladder, a very steep set of steps.
Or if you don’t fancy it, head down the hill.
The only downside is the beach is shingle, so take something to lie on if you plan on sunbathing.
But it’s all worth it to take a dip in the cool and calm waters.
Later on, make sure to go to Ice Cream Paradise for a frozen treat.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
North Landing, North Yorkshire
An azure blue lagoon flanked by chalk cliffs, this natural cove near Flamborough in North Yorkshire has it all.
Soft sand, pebbles and rockpools at low tide – it is perfect for a spot of bird spotting with kittiwakes, puffins and cormorants regular visitors.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Walpole Bay, Kent
Having one of the few sandy beaches in Kent, the crowds in Margate can be overwhelming.
So join the locals over in Walpole Bay, an easy walk through Cliftonville (named the UK’s trendiest neighbourhood by Time Out this year).
Not only is it quieter than the main sands, but it is home to the huge Walpole Bay Lido, one of the biggest in Europe.
Time it right and you can pop into the on-site sauna to warm up.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
Thousands flock to the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton in Norfolk each year – famous for its soapbox derby and huge beachfront arcade
Yet Old Hunstanton Beach is the quieter, prettier sibling of its tourist-heavy neighbour just a 15-minute walk away.
Here you can walk beside striped red and white cliffs or through thick pine forest to stretches of soft golden sand.
Plus, there’s a laid-back beach cafe which is dog-friendly and serves a smashing full English breakfast.
My favourite time to visit though is the early evening, finding a dune to perch on to watch Norfolk’s famous pink sky sunsets.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Writer
Presipe Bay, Pembrokeshire
Check the tide times before setting off for this pretty Pembrokeshire beach.
When the tide is out a stretch of golden sand is revealed, accessed via 162 steep steps.
Surrounded by rich red sandstone cliffs, there’s treasures to be picked up brought in by every tide as the area is known for its fossils.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Brighton
An oldie but goodie, can you ever go wrong with Brighton?
There’s plenty of space to sunbathe, you can join other swimmers for a paddle in the water.
Not to mention there’s plenty of bars and cafes underneath the arches.
You can explore Brighton Palace Pier too which has arcades, rides and little pit stops for ice cream, candy floss and fish and chips.
If you fancy a walk, head across to Hove and make sure to stop in at Rockwater for an Aperol Spritz.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Dungeness, Kent
Dungeness in Kent is the beach version of Marmite.
Once known as the UK’s only desert, thanks to the lack of rainfall, its shingle shoreline is incredibly bleak thanks to the backdrop of the nuclear
power station.
But this has its pros – mainly that only a handful of small cabins
were ever built on the vast beach at the tip of Romney Marsh.
Still now, the only things aside from the power station are some small
cabins, a lifeguard station, a fish shack, the Britannia Inn pub, two
lighthouses, a miniature railway, and numerous fishing boats.
As a result, it has developed a cult following – the renowned
filmmaker Drek Jarman had a cottage there and Ed Sheeran is now
rumoured to be a homeowner too.
I love it in the summer, when we can have a long walk along the
never-ending pebbles and a pint in the Britannia, but I love it even
more in winter, when the waves smash against the shore and you’re
forced to shelter from gusts of wind behind fishing boats.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (digital)
Deal Beach, Kent
Deal remains one of the more popular seaside towns in Kent but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a trip.
The huge pier takes you to much-loved Deal Kitchen, where you can grab a bite to eat with views of the beach but with some protection from the winds.
And the beach itself is huge, stretching miles while peppered with arcades, art galleries and pubs along the way.
It’s easy to get to as well, with a 90 minute direct train from London.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Shoe Bay, Eilean Shona, Scotland
On a remote island in the Inner Hebrides, you will find Shoe Bay.
This beach is unlike any other I have seen in the UK, with white soft sand and crystal clear waters, that sit still.
I found that it felt more like being somewhere tropical, than Scotland.
People staying on the island can visit the beach, which means it is super remote and quiet – essentially you get the beach to yourself.
It is the ideal spot for spotting local wildlife like seals and having a picnic.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Porthcurnick, Cornwall
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Porthcurnick in Cornwall
has the UK’s best beach cafe.
The Hidden Hut, which has a huge Instagram following and a very
successful cookbook serves everything from Indian food to cheese
toasties, tomato soup and Moroccan tagine – and it is ALL excellent.
I would happily do a one-hour detour simply to get my lunch from there.
But not only that, Porthcurnick is a fantastic beach – sheltered by
cliffs on either side, it has a decent expanse of sand (not so large
that you’ll worry about losing your kids) and a stream running
through it that it keeps all children occupied for hours, digging dams
and moats.
Great food and free childcare from mother nature? Unbeatable.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
London Thames Beach
Londoners need not fret, there is a beach right on your doorstep.
Head down to the Founder’s Arms pub on the Thames between the Tate Modern and Blackfriars Station and at low tide you will find a small beach.
The sand is even golden, surprisingly.
It is a great spot to feel like you’re getting a little beachy escape in the middle of the city.
And thanks to being right next to the pub, you can grab a tipple too.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire
Perched atop a craggy cliff, overlooking a dinky shore, Robin Hood’s Bay seems like something from a fiction tale or a North Yorkshire postcard.
In summer, you’ll find dogs sprinting along the sands, while owners tuck into fresh crab sandwiches from the beachside hut and little ones fish for treasures in the rock pools.
I prefer the village in winter, though, when the weather takes a turn and nature comes alive with the grassy dunes dancing in the wind and moody waves thrashing on the rocks.
– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Lee Bay Beach, North Devon
Lee Bay Beach in the village of Lee is exactly what I picture when I
imagine the Famous Five going on an expedition, with a picnic bag stuffed with ginger beer and boiled eggs.
The tiny bay at the edge of the very picturesque village is quintessential English coast – the kind without arcades and chippies.
It’s the north coast of Devon, so nice and choppy – a change from the
southern side.
The beach is made even better by the fact that the Grampus, an
excellent local pub is just a few minute’s walk up a winding lane.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
In other seaside news, these are our favourite seaside towns to visit in the UK in the winter.
Plus, UK’s sunniest beach town that feels like going back in time has ‘no arcades’ and barely any rain.