Now that the UK summer is stirring, it’s time to celebrate that beloved childhood staple: a break by the seaside!
England, Scotland and Wales boast a combined 11,000 miles of coastline to explore, so you don’t have to fly to exotic locations in search of something special or different. And when you add an unusual place to stay into the mix, you’ve got a holiday well worth raving about.
Spread out across the UK, our Top 10 beaches (listed in no particular order) prove there’s a perfect seaside stay for every taste. Surf the waves, hike scenic coastal paths, build sandcastles, take sandy-toed strolls, or indulge in ice-creams and fish-and-chip suppers, your choice!
All that’s left to do is watch the evening sun melt gently into the sea, then return to your unique beach retreat for laughter-fuelled chats, welcome reconnection… and pure holiday bliss.
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Norfolk beach via Indigo Barn
“Big Sand beach” © Eirian Evans / Geograph, used under CC BY-SA 2.0.
1. Big Sand Beach (Scottish Highlands)
Sheltered from the Hebridean winds by a network of dunes, Big Sand Beach is exactly that: a vast, sweeping stretch of sand that also affords spectacular views of the Torridon Hills and the Isle of Skye.
Just a few miles from Gairloch, the family-friendly beach is beautifully tranquil, with ample scope for photography, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or simply curling up with a good book.
2. Holkham (Norfolk)
Nature-lovers rejoice: Holkham Beach features its very own wildlife reserve. Backed by dunes and with direct access to the Norfolk Coast Path, this sandy beach is enormous: so much so that it never feels crowded, even in the height of summer!
One stand-out feature of Holkham is its horse-friendliness. There’s plenty of opportunity to watch joyful steeds taking their exercise along the water’s edge – a wonderful sight to behold.
“Whitesands Beach Wales-UK” © Barry Skeates / Wikimedia Commons, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
3. Whitesands Bay (Pembrokeshire)
As well as being one of the UK’s premier surfing beaches, the curved Whitesands Bay sits alongside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park footpath, for strolls with breath-taking scenery thrown in.
Boasting a large west-facing expanse of fine white sand, watching the sunset is one of the loveliest ways to spend an evening here. Rich in wildlife, you may even glimpse seals swimming near the shore.
4. Woolacombe Beach (Devon)
It’s no wonder that Woolacombe is regularly voted the UK’s Number One Beach! Its golden sand stretches languorously out for three miles, with superlative views across the ocean to the puffin-populated Lundy Island.
Better still, everyone is welcome at Woolacombe, as this beautiful, multi-award-winning beach is dog-friendly all year round.
“Trearddur Bay” © John Lucas / Geograph, used under CC BY-SA 2.0.
5. Trearddur Bay (Anglesey)
One of Anglesey’s loveliest beaches, the ancient and mesmerising Trearddur Bay boasts a long promenade for breezy strolls, and safe, sheltered conditions for gentle whole-family paddling and myriad watersports alike.
Oh, and its long, curving stretch of sand also gets the sun all day long – so don’t forget your Factor 30!
6. Kynance Cove (Cornwall)
Famous frequenters of Kynance Cove include the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Queen Victoria. Once you’ve visited yourself, you’ll understand its unique, magical appeal that keeps people coming back for more.
This is a tidal beach – ideal for adventurous spirits! – that can be seen from above via the South West Coast Path, in all its jaw-dropping glory. Down on the beach itself, there’s plenty of fun and intrigue to be found in exploring the caves at low tide.
7. Bournemouth Beach (Dorset)
Bournemouth Beach is one of the UK’s most popular beaches, with invitingly warm sea temperatures and glorious views out to the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks. Who could ask for more?
Well, what about ample beach facilities! Seafront offices provide information for fun days out, while beach hut hire and free electric barbecues make your holiday convenient as well as memorable.
8. Bamburgh Castle Beach (Northumberland)
As indicated by its name, the stand-out feature of this beach is Bamburgh Castle, which dominates the striking skyline. Although the present castle was built in the 12th century, a castle was known to have stood there since the 6th, so there’s plenty of intriguing history to soak up.
Yet this is also a wonderful beach for walking, rock pooling, and surfing – indeed, Bamburgh is thought of as one of the most consistent surf spots on the coast.
9. Filey Beach (Yorkshire)
A little quieter than Whitby, its bustling neighbour, Filey Beach is well-known for its near-infinite stretch of golden sand and temptingly clear waters.
You’ll also find a wealth of other beach-delights here, including ornate Edwardian architecture to make you feel like you’ve turned back the hands of time, and a delightful promenade for strolling.
10. Luskentyre Beach (Isle of Harris)
Luskentyre Beach, with its wide white sands and clear turquoise waters, feels like it should really be in the midst of the tropics, rather than the Outer Hebrides!
Yet instead of perma-sunshine and gently rustling palm trees, you can enjoy a hypnotic backdrop of vast, ever-changing skies, sand dunes, and faraway mountains. A haven for wildlife, you may also catch sight of soaring sea eagle, the occasional dolphin, or even a pony taking a stroll along the sand.
