Grab some grub from the seaside cafés, or head to nearby Ilfracombe for a more substantial bite to eat. Best British beaches for beachcombing Durdle Door, Dorset. Best for Channelling your inner Gwyneth Paltrow and re-enacting the beach scene from ‘Shakespeare in Love’. The original Australian beach towel company. You’ll find big waves at this lively bay, which makes it a magnet for surfers and thrillseekers. And dog owners can rejoice – there’s no seasonal ban and pooches are always welcome. is the best place to round off a beach day, with a weekly changing menu and refreshing decor that truly is the antidote to the stuffy tea rooms that Devon was once known for. $9.00. Get there Closest train station is Whitby. where locally caught crabs come served with a hammer and a bib, and fresh oysters grown on the café’s own beds are eaten within minutes of leaving the ocean. Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. And dog owners can rejoice – there’s no seasonal ban and pooches are always welcome. Porpoise-spotting from the pristine shoreline. offers glorious views over the sea to Lundy Island. You might spot a few beach balls at Studland Bay, the beach being one of the most popular naturist spots in the UK. Get there One-hour bus ride from Newport. The beach itself is all about the unspoilt nature, but there are facilities nearby: visit the National Trust shop and visitor centre near the village, or pop into the Bay Bistro for homemade soups and sandwiches if you’ve forgotten your packed lunch. The beach – which makes you feel a million miles from civilisation – has deservedly starred in many a film and pop video, including All Saints’ ‘Pure Shores’. , the beach being one of the most popular naturist spots in the UK. Rooms from £90 per night. The composition of sand varies, depending on the local … It’s a breathtaking structure, and best viewed from the top of the Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park on the Isle of Portland. Magnetite Sand… No wonder, then, that cooped-up city-dwellers’ minds are turning to the beach. After a bracing dip in the sea, warm up with a cuppa at the beach café, or take the five-minute drive to East Wittering, where restaurants serve up a broader range of lunch and dinner – we recommend. Put away those buckets and spades – you won’t be needing them here. Stay here It’s not the most glamorous place to stay, but what the cosy B&B Shore Cottage lacks in style it makes up for with location. Refreshingly, it’s mostly untouched by the usual seaside tourist tat – instead, it’s home to a thriving theatre, where regular soul nights, comedy shows and original productions keep tourists and locals entertained. From £495 for a week. World leader in beach cleaning equipment for over 50 years. There’s also a strong community feel here, with regular beach cleans and BBQ days, as well as spectacular D-Day events with military rallies and battle reenactments. When the tide goes out, head to the east of Compton Bay car park at Hanover Point and look for the large three-toed footcasts of Iguanodon at the base of the cliffs. The nearest toilets are a short drive away, at Wells-next-the-sea. Need to know Facilities can be found at Victoria Road, and there are pushchair-accessible paths through some of the woodlands. Best for Spotting red kite birds among the coastal salt marshes. Surrounded by high chalk cliffs, it is a popular beach for families and quieter than the surrounding Joss Bay and Botany Bay. Dogs aren't allowed between Easter and September. , a cute, hand-built stone-and-timber café with a counter full of tempting cakes. Best for Rolling your trousers up and splashing through the shallows. Facilities are sparse, but you can find toilets by the car park. Rhossili Beach was voted as the best beach in Wales in 2018, coming third in the ‘best beach in the UK’ category. Best for Getting an all-over tan *wink wink*. The restaurant showcases the best of. A visitor’s centre with toilets and a café can be found near the bridge leading to the Fortuneswell end of the beach. In Ruislip, West London, a 700-acre woodland nature reserve is home to a gorgeous natural lake, with a genuine sandy beach. Backed by bushy dunes and lush marshland perfect for bird-spotting, West Wittering beach is a pristine destination with ample facilities – including three blocks of toilets, drinking-water taps and shower blocks. . Bring a picnic – there are no facilities here, save for a small car park. The rock formation is best paired with a visit to nearby Lulworth Cove. When the tide goes out, head to the east of Compton Bay car park at Hanover Point and look for the large three-toed footcasts of Iguanodon at the base of the cliffs. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s incredibly popular with families who want to picnic on the shores. Red Online participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Facilities are ample – there’s even public wi-fi at the Knoll Beach visitor centre. Running into the sunset with your four-legged furry friend. From the western side it’s four miles to the pretty town of Rye, where cobbled streets, proper pubs and rickety old houses make for a charming day trip. Closest train station is Barnstaple, a 30-minute drive away. Subscribe to Red now to get the magazine delivered to your door. For refreshments with an added feel-good factor, visit the tea room at the. Closest train station is Corfe Castle, a 15-minute drive away. Woodland trails, a miniature train, and pirate ship for kids are also on offer, but despite what you may see in the photo above, swimming is technically not permitted. In fact, we know of 50 utterly gorgeous ones to put on your must-visit list. Get there Closest train station is Penzance, a 25-minute drive away. Now, Durdle Door is a spectacular archway that frames the crystal clear waters beyond it. Best for Breathtaking rambles through the dramatic cliffs of the Gower Peninsula. Best for Playing hide-and-seek in the grassy dunes. One visit here and it’s easy to see why – the steep, winding walk down to the coast from Rhossili village is stunning, with panoramic views over three miles of golden sand, and on clear days, to the coastline of North Devon. With the beach literally on its doorstep. Easily one of the best-looking beaches in the UK, Holkham would be flooded with visitors if it were just that little bit closer to London. Live your best life and stroll through the walled rose gardens, dine in the restaurant for fresh shellfish with samphire from the Holkham coastline, or walk the few minutes to the golden sands of the beach. (a ten-minute drive away). Grab your bucket and spade and check out this collection of UK campsites that all have a beach within reach. One of Bude’s best-loved beaches, Summerleaze is the embodiment of the classic British seafront. Live your best life and stroll through the walled rose gardens, dine in the restaurant for fresh shellfish with samphire from the Holkham coastline, or walk the few minutes to the golden sands of the beach. Sand dunes occur widely around the coastline of the UK, with particularly large areas in the Hebrides and fewer along the south coast. Forgetting city stresses on a huge stretch of perfect white sand. The beach, which is in a sheltered cove, is known for its large ovoid boulders, known as “dinosaur’s eggs”, though a few patches of sand are revealed at low tide. It’s eclectic furniture and mad wallpaper galore at. Splash out on a superior sea view room, with refined, classic decor and double doors which swing open onto a private balcony overlooking the ocean. Afterwards, pack up and pack in to the. ’s restaurant sources virtually all of its ingredients from within a 10-mile radius. Closest train station is Barnstaple, a 20-minute drive away. A favourite with surfers and families, this beautiful bay also has rock pools for kids to explore. music festival (July 18 this year). Seemingly perched on the edge of the world, this remote hideaway is just a ten-minute walk from Luskentyre beach and offers a homely base to explore the rest of the island. Luckily, Britain isn’t short of stunning beaches. Need to know Dogs on a lead are allowed on the beach, although there are restricted zones from May to September. Closest train station is Okehampton, a 50-minute drive away. Need to know There are toilets on site and a food van in the summer. We leaf through brochures in search of perfect sand. The tiny B&B offers romantic getaways, complete with four-poster beds and private flower-filled terraces. The sixteenth-century manor house has been lovingly restored, and now features a restaurant serving modern British dishes with a focus on local produce. From the family-friendly crowd-pleasers in Devon to the surfing hotspots in Cornwall and secluded coves in Scotland, consider this your beachy bucket list for the summer ahead. (yes, that’s the hotel’s name) balances style and charm with slick contemporary rooms and a traditional Victorian terrace overlooking Summerleaze beach. The catch? Dogs aren't allowed between Easter and September. Please be mindful of the people who live locally, check whether car parks are open before you set off and always adhere to social-distancing guidelines. And designated drivers rejoice: the two-mile stretch is one of the last places in Ireland where cars are still allowed to drive straight on to the beach. Bring everything you need and take it back with you – there are no facilities on site. These fish fans have been smoking scales for more than 139 years, and a bloody good job they do too. Best for Forgetting city stresses on a huge stretch of perfect white sand. Get there Closest trains stations are Weymouth or Upwey, 20 minutes drive away. After walking the pretty half-mile route from Stackpole Quay, visitors will find a picture-perfect beach, where small turquoise waves lap on a crescent of sand. Just 200m from the beach, pods feature picnic tables, heating and electricity – you will need to bring your own bedding. Venison from the deer park next door is cooked over a spectacular open fire in the pub’s kitchen and served with goose-fat roast potatoes. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out Digital Limited. Seemingly perched on the edge of the world, this remote hideaway is just a ten-minute walk from Luskentyre beach and offers a homely base to explore the rest of the island. Closest train station is Penzance, a 25-minute drive away. Get there Closest train station is Wool, a 15-minute drive away. After a bracing dip in the sea, warm up with a cuppa at the beach café, or take the five-minute drive to East Wittering, where restaurants serve up a broader range of lunch and dinner – we recommend Drifters for craft beers, homely dishes and veggie options. The UK’s most visited tourist attraction, Blackpool Pleasure Beach features in this list because of its unfailing and cherished legacy. You'll definitely need a car for this one – it's just under an hour's drive from Penzance. The beauty of this coastline hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the beach was named among the top four under-the-radar beaches in the world by the. As I understand, the beach between the high water and … Best for Braving the chill for a sheltered dip in crystal-clear water. The new royal baby name has finally been revealed. For refreshments with an added feel-good factor, visit the tea room at the Stackpole Walled Gardens (a ten-minute drive away). Just a few minutes’ walk from the idyllic former fishing town of Whitby, Whitby Sands is a perfect British seaside setting, with bright beach huts, sandcastles in the sand and miles of the big blue. Despite this, it’s still generally quiet – maybe it’s the chilly water that does the trick. Stay here Views don’t get much more stunning than those at Gara Rock. Feast on fresh seafood at the rustic and reputable, , or share a bottle and mezze at the popular seafront bar. Here’s our pick of brilliant UK beaches. One-hour 25-minute bus ride from Stornaway. It’s not the most glamorous place to stay, but what the cosy. is one of the most delightful retreats in Cornwall. While you’re here, make the 30-minute drive to Crosby beach to see Antony Gormley’s iconic public artwork ‘Another Place’. Lifeguards may not be in place. But it’s not just actors that like to hang out here: dolphins and basking sharks are sometimes spotted in the calm waters, too. Dangerous currents occur at The Hinge, so don’t go splashing around there. The sixteenth-century manor house has been lovingly restored, and now features a restaurant serving modern British dishes with a focus on local produce. Dogs on a lead are allowed on the beach, although there are restricted zones from May to September. The kitchen celebrates local produce including Dartmouth kippers, vegetables from its onsite allotment, and locally foraged ingredients. Rooms from £300 for two nights. After walking the pretty half-mile route from Stackpole Quay, visitors will find a picture-perfect beach, where small turquoise waves lap on a crescent of sand. Rooms from £168 per night. The little village of Studland – which is so ridiculously cute it inspired Noddy’s Toytown – has a number of places to eat, including the Michelin-approved Pig on the Beach, where homely British dishes are made from ingredients either grown on site, or sourced within a 25-mile radius. Try another? On the granite cliffs above, you’ll also find the legendary Minack Theatre, quite possibly the most attractive open-air theatre in the UK. Following a close second, sporting a similar but slightly warmer-coloured sand, is Appletree Bay (also in Cornwall) in shade Warm Gray 1 C. And in bronze position, you'll likely be unsurprised to hear by this point, it's another Cornwall shore: popular holiday destination, St Ives. Also making up the top ten were Studland Bay (number four) and Bournemouth (number five), both in Dorset, as well as Whitby Sands in North Yorkshire and and the golden sands of West Wittering in West Sussex. – a community-run café that doubles as an arts and entertainment hub overlooking Niseaboist beach. Four miles from the sea and a short car ride from Cromer. Rooms from £140 per night. (Trust us, you won't regret it.). Brave visitors can hire kayaks from £18 per hour, while less brave visitors can explore the menu at the Venus Beach Cafe, which serves amazing breakfasts and cakes with a view of one of the best beaches in Devon. Need to know Time your visit with low tide for maximum sand action. UPDATED AUGUST 2020. Rooms around £135 per night. Have a meal in the old dining cars or even stay over in the restored carriages. kippers, vegetables from its onsite allotment, and locally foraged ingredients. For dramatic views, starry skies and cosy fires, book a stay at the, Famous Five-style adventuring on the Lizard Peninsula, With its white sand, clear blue waters and dramatc rock formations, it's easy to see why Kynance Cove is one of Cornwall's most photographed. Like this article? Rooms from £95 per night. Loved by surfers who descend on the beach when the Atlantic swell is at it’s highest. 25,000+ reviews. Tiny homes from £185 for two nights. There’s chintz and geraniums by the bucketload and we’re totally on board. Just a short drive north of Scarista, this is one of Harris’s biggest beaches, and visitors come here to unwind on deserted shores between the blue sky and turquoise water. Get there Closest train station is Rye, a 12-minute drive away. A favourite with surfers and families, this beautiful bay also has rock pools for kids to explore. Closest train station is Gowerton, a 37-minute drive away. Set on the grounds of a working farm, this secluded hideaway is the perfect place to switch off and recharge your batteries. $6.00 shipping. Closest train station is Rye, a 12-minute drive away. Need to know Dogs are not allowed in the summer. Based on the opposite side of the island, but still only a 20-minute walk away from Pentle Bay. The wide pebble beach is one of the cleanest in Devon, and is sheltered by pine trees and evergreens, while rocks at the far corners provide shade. The family-friendly spot is buzzing with extreme sports activities all year round; take surf lessons from Extreme Academy, or just spectate from your deckchair on the two-mile long sandy shoreline. To refuel, drive 15 minutes down the coastline to. Tesalate towels are known for being "sand-free" after a day at the beach. To refuel, drive 15 minutes down the coastline to The Machair Kitchen – a community-run café that doubles as an arts and entertainment hub overlooking Niseaboist beach. Rolling your trousers up and splashing through the shallows. It's decorated in soothing seaside shades, there's a wood-burning stove and the garden has its own picnic bench – what more could you ask for? Small but perfectly formed, this little turquoise bay is the stuff that dreams are made of. Stay here If picturesque country pubs are your vibe, book a room at The Stackpole Inn. Get there One-hour 25-minute bus from Stornaway. Pristine white or coral pink. The small entry fee for Blackpool Sands is worth it for a spotlessly clean coastline despite a high number of visitors, while families will appreciate the modern and well-equipped facilities. The soft, white-shell sand and freshwater stream also makes this a popular beach with families. What to look for Typically, dune systems made of lime-rich shell sand promote the widest range of plants. Bedrooms are prim and proper, and the two-AA Rosette restaurant is a destination in itself. Need to know The car park can get full at peak times – cycle or arrive early to get a space during the summer months. Best for Sunny picnics on the grass overlooking the sea. If rugged Scottish coastline is your bag, you won’t do much better than Camusdarach Beach. Marske Sands Beach in Yorkshire is the only beach in Yorkshire to make the list, placing as the 6th most underrated beach in England. Closest train station is Morar, a 10-minute drive away. 4.3 out of 5 stars 165. Need to know Lifeguards are on watch during peak periods (check here for dates). The walk down from the car park is steep and takes about 10 minutes, so go carefully – reward yourself at the bottom with crab sandwiches from the much-loved Kynance Cove Cafe. At least that’s what the ’Poldark’ location scouts thought: they used this beautiful beach on the western foot of Cornwall as the location for a dream sequence in series two. 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