Beach Break

It is easy to see why this beautiful beach town is being dubbed the “perfect alternative” to Brighton. It has the same vibrant vibe but is much more peaceful

When you conjure up images of a classic British seaside holiday, Brighton might be one of the first places that comes to mind. With its vibrant lanes, buzzing nightlife, and iconic bustling pier. However, it’s no wonder it draws in hordes of tourists – along with the steep prices that come with such a popular city getaway.

But there’s another beach that offers similar charm without the masses. Cromer, a Victorian jewel on the Norfolk coast, is quietly earning a reputation as the ideal, more peaceful alternative.

Like many British coastal towns, this resort saw its heyday just before World War I, but its allure waned as exotic foreign holidays became more popular.

Travel writer Liz Hollis describes Cromer as having a “vibrant Brighton feel” minus the crowds, noting that it’s “increasingly home to artists, galleries and independent shops” as it begins to draw a younger crowd.

While the seaside town is summer-ready with its multicoloured buildings overlooking sandy beaches, it’s just as enticing in the winter months, according to visitors.

One visitor noted that Cromer beach is “very pretty even in winter”, while another reminisced about their “enjoyable walk on a winter day”, reports the Express.

They said: “You can either walk along the beach with the cliffs above towards Sheringham or in the other direction. In the summer months, it can get too crowded for that relaxing stroll behind the cliffs.”

A second visitor described Cromer as “glorious” in January, reminiscing on “winter walks along the beach, with the waves crashing on the shore”.

The most celebrated draw in Cromer is without doubt its pier, which boasts the remarkable distinction of housing one of just five end-of-pier theatres across the UK and the sole venue to stage a complete season of variety performances.

Holidaymakers can also enjoy crabbing from the pier, a cherished seaside tradition, or explore the RNLI lifeboat station at its furthest point, paying tribute to the town’s distinguished maritime legacy and its most honoured lifeboatman, Henry Blogg. For those seeking to delve into this rich heritage, the Henry Blogg Museum proves essential viewing.

Away from the pier, Cromer provides an abundance of entertainment to bring in tourists. The resort represents a culinary haven, renowned for its succulent and delicate Cromer crab, harvested from nearby waters surrounding a chalk reef positioned just offshore.

Cromer’s period streets also house an impressive selection of independent retailers, coffee shops, and art spaces, offering an excellent chance for some relaxed shopping.

As travel bloggers at ‘Our World for You’ wrote in their guide to Norfolk, Cromer is a “gem of the Norfolk coast” and “so much more than just Cromer crabs.”

For a taste of heritage and breathtaking panoramas, ascend the 160-foot tower of the 14th-century church of St Peter and St Paul, Norfolk’s loftiest, which provides sweeping views across the resort and shoreline.

A brisk stroll along the Norfolk Coast Path, which meanders through Cromer, is an ideal way to soak up the area’s natural splendour in October or November, with the crisp air and dramatic skies.

The town also gets into the festive spirit with a traditional Christmas Fayre at the Parish Hall, offering local gifts and yuletide goodies.

For a truly spectacular festive experience, the renowned Cromer Pier Christmas Show runs from mid-November to late December, bringing West End-calibre variety entertainment to the coast and making it a perfect destination for a pre-Christmas or even post-Christmas getaway.

Visitors can revel in the show, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. This year, the event takes place from 15 November to 28 December.

The beautiful beach has been described as the ‘perfect beach for families’ – and it’s not hard to see why

A “breathtaking” UK beach has left visitors so awestruck that they’re urging others to add it to their “bucket list.” The award-winning Porth Beach, tucked away on the Cornish coast between the bustling tourist hotspots of Newquay and Watergate Bay, is a must-see.

Praised as the “ideal beach for families”, Porth Beach also draws in walkers, swimmers, and paddleboarders. For locals, this is old news – but for those living further inland, Porth Beach could be just the ticket for a day trip.

The sandy beach is cosily nestled between headlands, and to the north, there’s a quaint footbridge leading to Porth Island. TikTok user @cornwall_lover posted a video showcasing the ‘breathtaking’ beach, reports the Express.

The caption read: “If you’ve not yet visited Porth beach in Newquay, get it on the bucket list. Perfect for paddleboarding at high tide, families who want to play in shallow streams and for those that love exploring, walk the coast path and step over the bridge to Porth Island, currently adorned with vibrant sea pink flowers”.

In the video, the blogger gushed: “The dreamiest beach in Cornwall with a bridge to its very own island.” The post quickly racked up comments from viewers.

One person said at the time of the post: “So beautiful. I’m hoping to visit it this summer.” Another added: “Ooh this looks delightful.”

A local reminisced: “I grew up just up the road from here. Many happy memories of this beach.” Yet another said: “Porth Beach, my local & favourite place to be.”

Porth Beach is a hit on Tripadvisor, where it’s ranked as the top attraction in Newquay. One reviewer praised: “Beautiful, clean beach and cliffside. We had a nice walk along the cliff side and the views were beautiful.

“The locals are very friendly and we had a nice chat with some of them. There’s a holiday park in front of the beach, we didn’t stay here but seems like an ideal location if you want to be close to the beach!”.

Another visitor said: “Lovely clean beach with stunning views. Depending on the tide it can be a short walk to the sea. The beach can be very busy on hot days between 10am-5pm. The water is clean and clear.”

A third added: “Fantastic beach and amenities as always. We have been coming here for the last 12 years and have never been disappointed on our visit.”

Visit Cornwall states: “Porth Beach is an award-winning Newquay beach, and a popular narrow stretch of golden sand and turquoise water situated between the town of Newquay and Watergate Bay. Flanked and sheltered by two vast headlands, the spectacular beach welcomes visitors, locals, and surfers year-round.

“As of 2024, Porth Beach has been awarded the Seaside Award which celebrates the commitment to environment, water quality, and safety of the beach.”

Porth Beach, located in Newquay, Cornwall with the postcode TR7 3NH, is a mere 30-minute stroll from the nearest train station, Newquay Train Station. For those opting to drive, there’s also paid parking conveniently located near the beach.

A man and his partner decided to visit the best beach in the world, according to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list, and were left stunned by one thing about the sand

Have you ever fancied a trip to a beach with pristine white sand and crystal-clear blue waters? One man decided to do just that, visiting one of the world’s top-rated beaches.

Despite being an island nation with plenty of coastlines, most UK beaches are pebbly rather than sandy, and our seas are often darker and murkier compared to the vibrant blue waters found in more tropical climates. Of course, there are exceptions like some of the beaches in Cornwall, but they often lack the tropical heat and sunshine for the full beach experience. So what makes a beach truly perfect?

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list shed some light on this, crowning a beach in Queensland, Australia, as the world’s best. Keen to see if it lived up to the hype, a couple named Dan and Janie jetted off to Whitehaven Beach to discover why it had earned the ‘world’s best’ title.

“Look at this,” Dan exclaimed in his TikTok video, moving the camera around to capture an overview of the idyllic beach. “Ranked in the top five in the world apparently.”

The beach was indeed picture-perfect, boasting a white sandy shore, bright blue waters, and glorious sunshine under a clear blue sky. But there was one aspect of the beach that truly left him gobsmacked.

As he shifted the camera downwards to reveal the sand, he instructed his audience to listen carefully while he strolled across it. With each footstep he took on the sand, a distinctive squeaking noise could be heard.

Further into the clip, he was also captured playing about with the noisy sand, moving his hand backwards and forwards through it, producing squeaks with every motion.

Despite the video racking up more than 1.3 million views on TikTok, the majority of watchers expressed their fascination with the squeaky sand.

“Why does the sand squeak?!” questioned one viewer, with hundreds of others echoing the same bewilderment.

This curious occurrence goes by numerous names, though it’s most commonly referred to as ‘singing sand’ or whistling sand, and remains something of a scientific mystery.

The sound occurs due to friction between uniform, almost perfectly round, pristine, and dry quartz sand particles, which causes them to oscillate and scrape against one another at a particular frequency, producing the noise.

Given that the requirements for squeaking sand are so precise, it’s an uncommon spectacle found exclusively on select beaches with the correct sand type and environmental conditions.

Nevertheless, not all were charmed by this discovery, with one viewer remarking: “I’m sorry but I’m too sensory triggered to even stand on that sand. Beautiful yes! Squeakiness no chance!”

Georgia Fowkes is a travel advisor who spends a lot of time in the UK and says there is one beach that is so special it gives her ‘goosebumps every single time’

A travel adviser has revealed the one UK beach that gives her goosebumps every time she visits. Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor for Altezza Travel, which boasts a 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor with over 2,000 reviews, is an American based in Pittsburgh who frequently travels the globe and spends ample time with family in the UK.

She has declared Bamburgh beach in Northumberland as her personal favourite. “Bamburgh is the raw North in its purest form: endless sand with a castle rising straight out of the dunes”, she says. “You walk the shoreline and the dark fortress walls reflect in the wet sand, the sea stretching out like the castle’s extension.

“For me, Bamburgh is the best beach in Britain because it ties the vastness of the ocean to the weight of history. This isn’t just a holiday sea – it roars the same way it did centuries ago, when the castle walls faced the same waves I’m watching now. Standing there gives me goosebumps every single time.”

While Bamburgh Beach isn’t the only UK beach where a castle majestically overlooks the sea below, with other examples including Llansteffan and Harlech in Wales, as well as Tintagel in Cornwall, it still stands out as a unique feature of the UK coastline, boasting pristine sand, drifting sand dunes, and a magnificent view of the castle from almost every angle, reports the Express.

Bamburgh has been crowned the UK’s top seaside spot for five consecutive years, earning five-star reviews for its beach, seafront, scenery, and tranquil atmosphere.

One visitor to Bamburgh shared their love for the place with Which?, saying: “It’s a gem. The beaches are sandy, clean, and stretch for miles. There are walks galore, the food on offer is top-notch, the feel is of a time gone by, and there’s enough history to delve into to last several holidays.”

The castle, which boasts a history spanning 3,000 years, is now in the hands of Francis and Claire Watson-Armstrong.

“There is nowhere like Bamburgh. You can see dolphins, the sunsets, the sunrises. You just stand there and breathe in – the smell of the sea. It is unique. As it has been over the centuries, there is something about the soul of the place,” she expressed.

Despite the unpredictable British weather on the harsh North Sea coast, Bamburgh is increasingly becoming a worldwide attraction, drawing tourists from across the globe. It offers several dining and drinking options, including a seafood shack named Creel and Reel, the Victoria Hotel pub, and the Potted Lobster restaurant.

Georgia also mentioned Holkham beach in Norfolk as another favourite spot. She described: “Holkham is cinematic in scale. Dunes and a flat sweep of sand run to the horizon, so far you lose all sense of boundaries.

“It’s no surprise filmmakers chose it for Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare in Love – standing here, you see why: the landscape itself looks like a film still. I’d call it England’s best beach because it turns a simple walk into a moment you want to hold on to. Empty yet majestic, it’s where sea, sky, and infinite sand shrink you down – but make you feel lucky to be part of the vast picture.”

Lewis Blackburn went on a beach trip with his wife Lisa and their children. He decided to go for a paddle on the beach and had his kids howling after the spotted his tanning fail

A holidaymaker left his children in fits of laughter after revealing his comical tanning disaster whilst at the seaside this week. Lewis Blackburn was savouring a holiday trip to Newquay, Cornwall, with his spouse Lisa when he opted to wade into the water – completely forgetting that his bronzed legs contrasted dramatically with his pale feet.

Sporting work boots throughout the week, the craftsman’s feet haven’t glimpsed sunlight all summer, whilst his legs are tanned from donning shorts. Snaps of the seasonal blunder became a sensation on Facebook, amassing 16,000 likes and sending onlookers into fits of giggles.

“I work outdoors so my legs, arms, neck and face are always exposed to the sun – just not my bare feet, hence the whiteness of them,” Lewis, from Northampton, told What’s The Jam.

He posted the image on Facebook, penning: “Second day into our Cornish holiday, staying near Bodmin, [we] decided today would be a beach day in Newquay.

“I decided to go for a paddle in the sea with my kids, so I duly removed my footwear to expose the brightest, whitest feet on the beach.

“Kids ran screaming, the elderly unable to run or turn away are blinded by the glare… it wasn’t until I’d seen these photos [that I realised why].”

The viral post generated thousands of responses.

One observer commented: “This made me laugh out loud way too much!”

“Maybe you can guide Santa’s sleigh this year,” another person joked.

Someone else remarked: “Hi-viz socks! Good to see you’re being safe at the beach.”

Others labelled it the “tradie tan”, while another joker asked: “Did you say beach day or bleach day? I was confused.”

Those who are planning a UK beach staycation with the kids during the summer holidays may want to consider one ‘breathtaking’ location that people have been talking about later.

Cheswick Sands near Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland has been dubbed ‘perfect’ for those after some tranquility and peach and quiet.

If you’re looking for a British beachside staycation for a large family gathering, The Pink House in Bude is perfect; sleeping 16, it has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, an amazing open space living area, and a balcony with spectacular views over the North Cornwall coast. We had four teens with us, with a bedroom available for each of them, but they decided to sleep in one room with four bunks as it was ‘so cool’.

The location of The Pink House is fantastic, and we only used our car once during our three-night stay; everything really is on your doorstep.

What to do around Bude

Crooklets Beach is a two-minute stroll away, and there are surfboards, buckets, spades and fishing nets at the house for you to use, along with an outside shower for washing off the sand when you get back. There’s a live DJ over the weekends in the summer months at Crooklets Beach Café, a great place after a day on the beach to chill and unwind.

You can walk for miles along the coastal path, and there’s also the famous Bude Sea Pool, a semi-natural tidal pool that’s free to enter; the kids and adults alike all loved this.

You can also explore Bude Canal Lower Wharf and Harbour via paddle board or pedalo. We booked paddle boards through Freewave Surf Academy, who have trailers dotted around Bude – simply book online, receive a code and pick up and drop off your board; it’s so easy.

We decided on the cinema one evening, and found the independent Rebel Cinema. It looked just like a film set, and there aren’t many places where you’ll find a field of cows next door to a cinema.

Bude itself is a quaint little town easily within walking distance, with lots of cafés, bakeries and independent shops. Bude Castle is another must, overlooking Summerleaze Beach.

We had keen golfers with us so we also had to pay a visit to Bude and North Cornwall Golf Course, visible from The Pink House.

Where to eat in Bude

For traditional pub food, we loved The Brendan Arms, overlooking the harbour, and Rosie’s Kitchen is a lovely family-run diner on the beach that uses local produce where possible, with outside and inside seating. We tried their famous breakfast baps plus the slightly healthier avocado, chilli oil and egg on toast – it was so good we decided to come back to try their dirty fries for dinner. The teens all said they would make the five-hour drive just for these fries and breakfast baps.

Electric Bakery was another great recommendation, and so good the locals queue; we arrived at 8.30am ahead of its 9am opening time and the queue was already out of the car park. Its baked goods were well worth the wait, however; the sausage rolls, and cinnamon and red velvet croissants were our favourites.

How much does it cost?

The Pink House costs from £1,615 per week up to £3,940 per week in peak season. Book via Aspects Holidays.

It has been named the best beach in the world for those looking to enjoy the warm weather and relax on the white sands, according to a new study

Many Brits love to escape the dreary weather for a day by the sea. Perhaps it’s the golden sand, crystal clear water or simply the warmer climate that draws you in. Well, Luxury holiday company CV Villas has conducted research to find out which beaches boast the whitest sand in the world. Let’s be honest, nothing screams ‘perfect beach’ more than pristine white sand.

The study analysed Google Maps images of approximately 200 beaches, examining the colour of each shoreline to determine the results. Unsurprisingly, the beach with the whitest sand is nowhere near the UK, but it’s certainly worth the flight time, reports the Express.

Tulum Beach in Mexico was crowned as having the whitest sand in the world, as it had the least deviation from pure white.

Tulum Beach sits on the Yucatan coast of Mexico at the country’s southeastern tip, looking out to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is a huge tourist destination known for its beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city.

The main building is a large stone structure called El Castillo which sits atop a rocky cliff looking down across the white sand beach and turquoise sea.

Given its tourist draw, there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars situated throughout the long narrow stretch of town.

However, some visitors on Tripadvisor do note that prices can be high for amenities such as parking.

Having visited in July 2024, an American tourist left a Tripadvisor review saying the area had both “good and bad” points. They described the beach, however, as a “paradise”.

Coming in second place was Anse Source D’Argent in the Seychelles, which had a variation of 4.3, and Marmari Beach in Greece took third place with a variation of 6.5.

Here are the top 20 beaches with the whitest sand:

1. Tulum Beach, Mexico

2. Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles

3. Marmari Beach, Greece

4. Tropea Beach, Italy and Platja de Muro, Spain

6. Cala Pluma, Spain

7. Plage de Valras, France

8. Cala Brandinchi, Italy

9. Stocking Island Beach, Bahamas and Taylor Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

11. Varadero Beach, Cuba

12. Punta Prosciutto, Italy

13. Maya Bay Beach, Thailand

14. Carmel Beach, USA

15. Bamboo Island Beach, Thailand

16. Siesta Key Beach, USA

17. Spiaggia La Pelosa, Italy

18. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico and Luskentyre Beach, Scotland

20. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Eight of the top 10 destinations are in Europe.

If you’re after a beach closer to home, Scotland’s Luskentyre Beach shares the eighteenth spot with Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.

Its clear and tranquil waters are hard to beat, and I’ve struggled to find a beach that’s as pretty as this ever since I visited

France has no shortage of beautiful beaches that draw in thousands of visitors each year, and while some are still relatively unknown, Nice is no stranger to tourists thanks to its location as the capital of the French Riviera.

While there are plenty of dupes for the French Riviera, there’s nothing quite like seeing the real thing, and a few years ago I decided to do just that. Attracting an estimated five million visitors each year, although I found the pebbled beaches in Nice fairly charming, it didn’t make for a relaxed seaside getaway. Fortunately, there are plenty of tranquil towns along the French coastline, and one of them is home to the prettiest beach I’ve ever seen.

Often hailed as the Jewel of the French Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a mere 15 minutes from Nice and a welcome break from the crowds of tourists you can expect to see in the capital during the peak summer season, myself included.

Arriving with little more than a freshly-baked baguette and a towel in my bag, lounging on the beach here was exactly what I’d hoped for from my trip the South of France — a laidback seaside with a touch of old-school charm.

Sheltered by dramatic cliffs adorned with pastel-hued homes gazing out over the azure waters, stepping off the train and glimpsing the shoreline felt like picking up a postcard.

The charming town houses roughly 5,000 year-round inhabitants and is often considered one of the region’s most beautiful, reports the Express.

Though it was high season and busy with other sun-seekers, the charming bay known as Plage des Marinières never seemed excessively crowded either, and there’s a peaceful atmosphere to the beach.

Comprising rough sand mixed with tiny stones, it also proved to be a slightly more comfortable experience than lounging on Nice’s 10km stretch of coastline.

Charming bistros and eateries dot the seafront, and while I’d brought my own provisions due to travelling on a budget, which is, in fact, doable along the glamorous French Riviera, it ensures that grabbing refreshments won’t prove problematic for day-trippers.

Though my visit lasted just one day, it’s certainly deserving of an overnight break or even several days, particularly for those seeking somewhere slightly more easy-going than Nice.

Speaking of her own visit, Louise Scott who runs the blog All Things French said: “Discover charming architecture, worn shutters, wrought-ironwork, and colour everywhere. A few shops, weekly brocante and food markets, and a terrific variety of beautiful restaurants and bistros makes relaxing for a week (or a month) in this place an absolute joy!”

Catching the train is incredibly straightforward, and while I can’t recall the exact fare when I visited, a quick glance at Trainline revealed that a one-way ticket today costs just £3.

However, a word of caution — in all my travels to beaches around the world since, I’ve yet to discover one as charming as Villefranche-sur-Mer, complete with its slightly rugged landscape and peaceful shore.

Indeed, I’d even venture to say that the South of France boasts some of the world’s most stunning beaches, and while it’s renowned as a posh destination, it’s certainly achievable on a budget if you’re merely seeking a relaxed beach holiday.

While Nice is certainly worth a trip, I’d highly recommend using it as a base to explore the less-visited beaches nearby.

Discovering a tranquil beach town without masses of tourists felt like stumbling across a true hidden gem.

I love getting away and spending a few days exploring a new city, imagining what my life might look like if I decided to skip my Ryanair flight home and stay, and Copenhagen isn’t exempt from this.

Considering that it was recently voted the most liveable city in the world, I was already daydreaming about life here after the clean and efficient ride into the city on the airport shuttle, which felt like a holiday in itself.

However, I was only in the city for a brief moment this time around, and rather than spending my time cycling around to cosy coffee shops and museums as I had done on previous trips, I was instead heading to what many Danes refer to as the ‘Copenhagen Riviera’.

While Denmark isn’t necessarily the first place that might spring to mind when thinking of where to head for a coastal retreat, Hornbaek is seaside town just an hour from Copenhagen that’s doubles up as a popular holiday destination.

The town is also where many Danes choose to keep holiday homes, spending summers relaxing on the endless stretches of sandy beaches that have become increasingly popular with surfers.

Despite being just 50km north of Copenhagen, Hornbaek feels worlds apart, especially when you compare it to the popular seaside towns in the UK that are close to cities like London.

In fact, I often find a visit to some of the UK’s seaside towns more stressful than relaxing, especially during the peak summer months when city folk like myself look to cool down by the coast.

With a permanent population of just 3,000 residents, it didn’t feel like visiting a city that’s conveniently placed next to the sea, as Brighton or Margate often does, instead it felt like a proper retreat away from the hustle and bustle.

Most of the houses are built in the style of traditional wooden cottages, helping it feel even more laidback, and the town can easily be reached by following trails that take you through tranquil woodlands.

While surfing and paddle boarding are popular activities, I visited during September, which was slightly chilly for my liking. Nonetheless, there were still some swimmers nearby that were brave enough to head in for a dip.

With nearly 3km of golden sandy beaches overlooking the Baltic Sea, reports the Express, September made for some incredible sunsets as the long summer came to an end.

While the beach wasn’t vastly different, or necessarily superior to those found in the UK, the tranquillity experienced when it merged with the woodlands was truly a peaceful escape.

Visiting in September also meant there was little else to do but stroll along the beach with friends and unwind in the cottage we stayed in, meaning I returned home feeling more refreshed than ever.

That doesn’t meant there isn’t plenty to do if you feel like exploring. The town boasts a buzzy street food market named Det Fedtede Hjørne, a 14km coastal bike track, and even sunrise yoga sessions at Hotel Hornbækhus.

We took the train to Hornbæk and despite needing to switch trains at Helsingør Station, the journey was incredibly smooth and well worth it.