Discover Britain’s 10 best beaches

Nothing says summer quite like a trip to the beach. There are dozens of beautiful beaches to visit across Britain, including some lesser known hidden gems waiting to be discovered. We’ve put together a list of Britain’s 10 best beaches to inspire your next staycation.

1. Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe beach was officially named as one of the best beaches in the world in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2020 with one reviewer describing the beach as “3 miles of heaven.” The sandy slice of heaven sits on the North Devon coast and is a huge hit with families. The vast golden sands make it a great place to spend a sunny summer’s day, while the crashing Atlantic waves make it perfect for water sports. The village of Woolacombe itself has a great variety of restaurants and pubs to soak in the scenery and sample the local fare.

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2. Bournemouth Beach

In 2019, Bournemouth beach topped TripAdvisor’s best UK beaches list and with 5 beautiful Blue Flag rated, fun-packed beaches it’s not hard to see why. There are plenty of things to do in Bournemouth for the whole family with the town itself bursting with that heritage seaside resort feel. Grab an ice cream and feel the sand between your toes on the central beach, or head out into town and discover Bournemouth’s history for yourself at one of the many museums and gardens. The land train can take you to explore one of the 4 other beaches that span 7 miles from Poole to Christchurch. Of course, you don’t have to keep both feet on the ground to see the best Bournemouth views. On Bournemouth Pier, you’ll find PierZip, where you can truly feel the sea breeze in your hair as you whizz your way down to the shore in an epic adrenaline fuelled zip wire flight.

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3. Weymouth Beach

A regular feature on top UK beach lists across the board, Weymouth beach offers all the staples of a great summer day out. Walk along the promenade and admire the views of the iconic Jurassic Coastline with some local fish and chips, or gather the family on the sand for a traditional Punch and Judy show. After a day on the beach, the town’s vibrant traditional harbour is well worth checking out. Treat yourself to a gift or two at one of the harbour’s quirky shops, browse the antique emporium, or try some award-winning fare at one of the harbour’s alfresco restaurants. The harbour is also host to a whole variety of events and festivals. The Nyetimber Seafood Festival takes place every July with a whole host of local eateries tempting tourists with their delicious food, while Nothe Gardens- where spectators came to watch the Olympic sailors back in 2012- is still a popular resting spot today.

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4. Blackpool Beach

Often quipped by Brits as the ‘Vegas of the North’, Blackpool has been a staycation favourite for centuries with holiday makers flocking to its north east shore to take full advantage of its fun atmosphere, trademark ‘Blackpool rock’ sweet treats, and gorgeous sandy beach. However, its most popular attraction by far is the Blackpool Illuminations that start in September for 66 nights a year and run for 6 miles along the promenade. In the daylight hours, there’s so much to see and do at this lively resort town, from the many attractions and amusements along the promenade, to the breath-taking views across Blackpool and beyond from the top of the iconic Blackpool Tower itself. And for the thrill-seekers, the Pleasure Beach near the South Pier has fantastic fun for all ages and has been running for 125 years.

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5. Brighton Beach

Brighton beach is another firm favourite when it comes to a traditional seaside getaway. Packed with character, great attractions and fantastic scenery, Brighton is a great place to spend a summery day whether it’s with family or friends. The Arches by the West Pier is the ultimate indie shopping destination with fashion, photography and furniture on offer, while at the Sea Life Centre you can see giant turtles and sharks. To really take advantage of the best sights in Brighton has to offer, head up the British Airways i360 – the world’s tallest observation tower for a panoramic view across Brighton and Hove, or head over to the Royal Pavilion where you can learn more about the history of Brighton. When you’ve finished exploring, wander back to the picturesque pebbly beach beneath the iconic Palace Pier and skim a stone or two, or perch on a deckchair and soak up the summer sun while watching the world go by.

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6. Whitby, North Yorkshire

Famous for its delicious fish and chips, and a spooky connection to Dracula, Whitby has all the charming traditional characteristics of a gothic seaport town, while being surrounded by the rugged natural beauty of North York Moors National Park. As well as the picturesque harbour that can be seen in its full glory from atop the 199 Steps, Whitby has many beautiful family friendly beaches to relax and explore. From the rock pool discoveries and surfing opportunities at Runswick Bay, to the donkey rides and fabulous scenery of West Cliff beach, there’s some summer fun to be had by everyone. Overlooking the town and coastline are the ruins of the famous Whitby Abbey which has inspired some of England’s most famous writers and poets, including Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula.

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7. Watergate Bay, Newquay

Topping the Telegraph’s top UK beaches list back in 2015, Watergate Bay, situated in the popular Cornish town of Newquay has everything needed for a stunning summer’s day. As well as 2 miles of golden sand to enjoy, the bay is also a fantastic spot for water sports. The beach attracts kite-surfers and surfers alike and is home to the Extreme Academy Surf School where novices can learn new water sporting skills. After an energetic day at the beach, there are plenty of top rated restaurants where you can enjoy the areas freshest and most delicious food. Many of the restaurants at Watergate Bay offer incredible sea views to go with their fresh inviting local food. Whether it’s a taste of locally sourced fish at The Beach Hut, or a homemade pizza at Wax there’s enough variety for everyone.

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8. Embleton Bay, Northumberland

For more of an understated beach getaway, the choice has to be Embleton Bay on the Northumberland coast. Back in 2017, Embleton won BBC Countryfile’s Beach of the Year accolade thanks to its natural beauty and remote charm. Despite its winning reputation, like many beaches in Northumberland, Embleton is very quiet especially in the evenings. In fact, it’s the ideal place for a lovely romantic evening stroll on the sand as you’ll most likely have the whole beach to yourself. You can really feel closer to nature here thanks to its seclusion, with the windswept sand dunes dotted along the seafront, and the sight of Oystercatchers probing the cracks of the volcanic rocks for food creating an unrivalled immersive experience. Another thing that you’ll notice here is the 14th Century ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle inviting you in from across the water. You can take a closer look at these ruins by walking along the grassy path behind the rocks of the shoreline and take advantage of the amazing views across the bay while swallows flit in and out of the ruins.

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9. Holkham Beach, Norfolk

Take a wander down the inviting wooden steps to discover one of the most unspoilt natural beaches in Britain- Holkham. The four mile stretch of sand is part of the Holkham Nature Reserve boasting a vast array of interesting plants and wildlife. At low tide, the sea falls back to reveal the vast open ‘sandscape’ that’s perfect for a full on day of sand sculpting or a family picnic. The wide open space also makes it a great place to walk the dog, or even a horse! In the first week of July, you’ll be able to spot the Royal Cavalry taking their horses for a run and a swim every morning. The fun doesn’t end when the tide rolls in, among the pine forests and sand dunes, there’s a well-trodden part of the Norfolk Coastal Path that’s perfect for exploring the rest of nature reserve whilst still having the sounds and smells of the seaside nearby.

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10. Castle Beach, Tenby

Tenby, a seaside town in southwest Wales is home to many beautiful beaches, but none are as well regarded as Castle Beach. Voted Sunday Times’ Beach of the Year in 2019, Castle Beach is a perfect summer destination for the whole family with plenty of sand to play in, spectacular views out to Caldey Island and all the traditional beach grub you can get your hands on. The town itself has a cosy coastal feel with restaurants, pubs and indie shops dotted around the narrow paved streets. Once you’ve taken in sights and sounds of the town, head over to the colourful harbour side where you can hop aboard one of the boats and sail off to Caldey Island, an island oasis where you can relax and watch the seabirds fly by or have a peek into the ornate Cathedral.

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