Durdle Door, Dorset (Source)
Who says the UK doesn’t have beautiful UK beaches? Okay, fair enough, it does have its fair share of stony beaches with pretty bland scenery. That’s often what a lot of people’s first UK beach experience is like – but you will find some absolutely outstanding beaches all over the country.
It’s a simple case of knowing where to look, so let’s break down the five best UK beach destinations:
Devon
Here’s a fun fact from the people over at Beach Stays: Devon is the only English county to have two separate coastlines. Both are absolutely gorgeous – to the North of Devon, you have ones that overlook the Bristol Channel, though the most iconic happen to be on the southern side, including the legendary Blackpool Sands. Expect sandy shorelines, vivacious views and some of the brightest, bluest sea you’ll ever see.
Cornwall
Travel slightly further South West, and you’ll find the county of Cornwall, which most people consider the spiritual home of UK beach holidays. You’re spoilt for choice here with Newquay, Falmouth, Penzance and Padstow all offerings dreamy beaches for you to explore. Of all the destinations on this list, Cornwall is likely the best for surfers due to the windy conditions that create some devilishly gnarly waves.
Dorset
Dorset is home to one of Britain’s best sites and most beautiful beaches: Durdle Door. You’ve definitely seen this somewhere before, and it is a gorgeous place to visit for warm, golden sand and vibrant water. Dorset also has one massive thing going for it: the Jurassic Coast. This stretch of shoreline is arguably the most impressive in the whole of the UK, as it offers fossils and awesome views. Give it a go, especially if you like walking along vast stretches of the coastline.
Scotland
Believe it or not, but Scotland is a fantastic beach destination. You’ll have to travel to some of the most remote areas of the country, but that’s what makes the beaches so special. Experience rugged coastlines with jagged rocks creating some truly extreme scenery. Marvel at the local wildlife – Nairn Beach in Moray Firth often gets visits from dolphins, so that’s truly special to witness. It’s fair to say that hardly anyone visits Scotland for a beach holiday, so all the options here are pretty secluded and peaceful. Probably not the best if you’re hunting a sunbathing location, as it’s always quite cold, but perfect for a quiet and tranquil beach holiday.
Wales
Most of South Wales offers a beach experience, but you should definitely go all the way to the West Coast for a phenomenal experience. You’re aiming for Pembrokeshire – more specifically, Tenby. It’s easily the best beach location in Wales, and the charming town offers so much more for you to do. There’s even an adventure park and zoo nearby, which is great fun for the kids.
The great thing about this list is that we’ve not pinpointed a particular beach or place; each option includes many different beaches for you to see and explore. Start making a list of your top must-see places and then tick them off this summer.
