Best Beaches in the United Kingdom

From surfing hotspots to idyllic charmers and peaceful coves, there are beautiful beaches in the United Kingdom. Dip your feet in the waters or run your fingers into the white sand as you enjoy the sun. There are nostalgic rainbow-coloured beach huts to explore in the Summerleaze and family-friendly beaches. Did you know you can have a picnic on the beach in Lulworth Cove? How about spotting porpoises on the pristine sands of Scarista Beach? Check out the following top beaches in the United Kingdom.

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno is perfect for barefoot walks along the soft white sand as you enjoy the view of the turquoise sea. The beach is small but perfectly formed on the western foot of Cornwall. It’s a stunning spot that joins two beaches and creates an expanse of golden sand that runs from Minac Theatre to Pedn Vounder. Not only does the sand look special due to the seashells pounded to smithereens, but it also has a rugged granite cliff in the backdrop. The beach has lifeguards during summer and is kid friendly.

West Wittering Beach

West Wittering is at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, within a Site of Special Scientific Interest. You will have fun at the sloping sandy beaches lined with multicoloured beach huts available for hire. It’s the ideal spot for sunbathing and paddling. When the conditions are right, you can try water sports like windsurfing, kite-surfing and surfing. Take surf lessons in the summer. If you have kids, they can play in the shallow lagoon formed when tides retreat. Some of the facilities available include showers, parking and lifeguards. West Wittering is a great spot for bird watching, with wildfowl and waders visiting during the migratory season.

Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands beach is hidden in South Devon and has won awards for cleanliness. The smooth little pebbles that make up the sandy beach make the water astonishingly clear. It is a great diving spot when the bay’s water is clear, while the pontoon floating off the shore provides an ideal spot for swimming in summer. You can enjoy a variety of seafood in the restaurants near the beach. While kids are allowed, your furry friends cannot join you on the beach.

Seven Sisters

The dramatic stretch of the pristine white chalk cliffs makes Seven Sisters the perfect coastline in Britain. The name refers to the peaks of the cliffs, where you can hike or enjoy scenic views. Walk along the stretching sandy beach or sunbathe on the white sand. You can also explore the rocky ledge puckered with caves and pools carved out by the wind. The tiny coves and cliff tunnels provide tiny remote beaches where you can swim.

Sennen Cove

Sennen Cove is a mile-long cove at the farthest corner from Land’s End at Cornwall. The cove is breathtakingly beautiful. It is the perfect beach to watch dolphins frolicking on the deep blue waters. If you are a surfer, you will love Sennen Cove. It provides a serene atmosphere for enjoying the outdoors. You can sunbathe or fish with the villagers.

Barafundle Bay

Among the top beaches in the United Kingdom is Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire. The beach gained popularity when it was named among the best in the world. You can access the beach from the Stackpole Quay. The sheltered cove is the perfect swimming spot, and the Pembrokeshire Coast path is ideal for ramblers. Getting to Barafundle Bay through the train station in Lamphey takes 13 minutes by car. The beach doesn’t have any facilities. Hence, you should bring everything you need for a beach picnic. If you want some snacks, the Stackpole Walled gardens are the ideal spot near the beach.

Pentle Bay

Pentle Bay takes determination to reach, but the journey is worth it. The beach is on a secluded stretch in the Isles of Scilly, the unspoilt archipelago at the coast of Cornwall. Its beauty hasn’t gone unnoticed with its bright white sand and blue waters. To get to Pentle Bay, take a flight to the Isles of Scilly and use a boat from St Mary’s to Tresco, which takes 20 minutes. The bay is a 25-minute walk from Tresco. It lacks essential facilities, but you can find washrooms at Abbey Gardens.

Bossiney Haven

Also known as Bossiney Cove, this gem of a beach surrounded by cliffs in North Cornwall is best seen at low tide, when the sand is visible. Bossiney Haven is tucked away between Boscastle and Tintagel. A flight of stony steps leads down onto the beach and turquoise water. Notable features include the waterfall above the beach and “Elephant Rock” at the side of the inlet, which looks like a drinking elephant. This area lacks facilities but its charm makes up for this. It is popular with hikers because of the beautiful views along peaceful trails.

Red Wharf Bay

On the island of Anglesey, Red Wharf Bay, also known as Traeth Coch, meaning “Red Beach” in Welsh, is in the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Pentraeth and Benllech towns. The sandy beach is wide and stretches for 2.5 miles. There are some interesting rock pools to explore here, fishing boats, Red Wharf Bay Village, plenty of bird life and the Anglesey Coastal Path connects the bay with Pentraeth, offering hikes and places to stop for refreshments.

Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth in Dorset prides itself in offering 7 miles of award-winning beaches and some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK. Bournemouth Beach is a popular sandy beach during the summer months and provides full facilities, water sports and family-friendly attractions on the pier. Child safety is covered by the LV=KidZone scheme during the school holidays, and colourful beach huts add to the British charm.

The United Kingdom boasts some of the best beaches in the world. The top beaches’ main attractions are their unique location and beauty. For instance, Pentle Bay, with its stunning white sand and glassy-blue waters, is worth the journey you make to the archipelago. Pembrokeshire’s Barafundle Bay should also be on top of your list. The curved sandy beach with the crystal-clear sea and cliffs adds to its beauty.