This island boasts a coastline that is more than ten thousand kilometers long, making it one of the most extensive in the world. When you take the incredible diversity of Britain’s terrain into account, you get a country with beaches that range from vast stretches to tiny notches cut out of cliffs, wilderness islands to Edwardian-style resorts, and everything in between. The following are 10 of the best beaches in Britain. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments section.
The town of Porthcurno in Cornwall
Porthcurno’s little but finely created wedge of white sand, which bordered by craggy cliffs and frames a sapphire bay, produces a landscape that is undoubtedly charming despite its improbability. Nor is Porthcurno merely a gorgeous face; the cliff-top Minack Theatre holds open-air performances, and a museum commemorates the birth of transatlantic telegraphy in this very town in the year 1870. This beach considered to be among the best in England due to the incredible beauty as well as the rich culture and history that can be found here.
The stream that runs along one side of Porthcurno is ideal for paddling, which one reason why this location is so well-liked by families.
Things to see and do in the area:
If you’re looking for a performance environment, the Minack Theatre is the one to beat. Make sure not to miss a fantastic production at the theater. If you want to make the most of your vacation, consider taking a 5-day trip through Devon and Cornwall.
West Wittering, West Sussex
Keith Richards, a rock and roll legend, owns a beach hut in West Wittering, but the town better known for its peace and quiet than for its rock and roll history. Swing through the sand dunes to get to the 55 acres of perfect sand, which, despite how perfect it looks, can fit 10,000 tourists on the sunny summer bank holidays. It’s fun for kiteboarders and windsurfers.
Kids have fun too, whether they’re paddling in sandy pools or crabbing while the tide is out. Everyone else enjoys doing it as well, whether it be idling away the time or watching the Channel while sipping a cup of tea. It’s likely that Keith is doing the same thing.
The best place for solitude and leisurely strolls along the water’s edge. The Willow House Bed and Breakfast is a great place to stay since it offers a high cleanliness rating, a terrace, and a modern flat-screen television. What’s not to adore about it?
What there is to see and do in the neighborhood:
You may visit Brighton, which is located in East Sussex, by taking a short trip there. Once there, you can enjoy the views from the British Airways i360 viewing platform, investigate the Royal Pavilion, or go on a bike tour.
Par Beach, in St. Martin’s in the Islands of Scilly
It would appear that St. Martin’s is located at the very edge of the world. Rawer and wilder than its neighbor Tresco, this is an island for connoisseurs. It is a rich fuzz of green flanked by sugar-white beaches that swell when the tide drops. Remember to bring your mask and snorkel because the water here is the cleanest and bluest in the entire archipelago.
Off-the-beaten-path exploration is where it’s at. Karma St. Martin’s is the epitome of nautical luxury, and it’s where you should stay. You will find all you require right here, including a restaurant, bar, and spacious gardens in addition to a spa.
Tresco Abbey Gardens are located on Tresco Island, and you should make it a point to get there while your time in the area.
Barafundle, Pembrokeshire
The beach at Barafundle, which scalloped into the cliffs of Pembrokeshire, is one of the most breathtaking in all of Great Britain and offers an excellent location for a picnic. The distance from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle helps keep crowds to a low, which adds to the allure of the place as a place where locals and visitors alike are in on a secret.
Points also awarded for having shallow waters and protection from the dominant wind direction. But what’s the deal-breaker? Sands of the highest quality, just right for building sandcastles in them.
Ideal for: Avoiding the maddening throng. Portclew House is a grand Georgian mansion that features seven cozy guest rooms, each of which has its own private bathroom. In addition, there is a selection of self-catering holiday homes located around the expansive grounds.
Things to see and do in the neighborhood:
If you want to visit more of Wales, sign up for a 5-day tour that combines Wales and the Southwest.
Bamburgh, in Northumberland
The silhouette of Bamburgh Castle, like something out of a fairytale, makes for an excellent model for building sandcastles. It comes into view from behind the light-colored sand that covers this spotless beach, which stretches into the distance beneath a clear blue sky and extends one mile out into the ocean when the tide is out.
It is a spectacular scene worthy of Viking longships, but it is not nearly as widely known as it should be because of the romantic outline of Holy Island that can be seen at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. (That alone should be enough to convince you to go.)
Where to stay:
The two-bedroom Pintail Apartment is ideal for self-catering and is located around 15 minutes on foot from the beach.
Bantham, Devon
The steadfastly protective owners of the Evans Estate have prevented a significant amount of development in the south Devon village of Bantham over the past sixty years. The village characterized by its untouched sands, old thatched cottages, and lack of commercialism, and it resembles a small timewarp. It’s widely considered to be one of the best sandy beaches in all of England.
The beach is ideal for those who prefer to dig with a bucket and spade due to its shallow seas and expansive stretches of sand. Also, there are rock pools and dunes that may be explored. Surfers frequent the beach because of the waves.
The nearby town of Salcombe is where you can find Gara Rock. Its gem is the most expensive and stylish thing in the world, and its beautiful rooms are like little shops. The scene completed by an indoor and outdoor pool and a view of the ocean.
Rent a surfboard and ride the waves—it’s one of the best things to see and do in the area! Those just starting out might benefit from taking some lessons, such as the whole or half-day lessons available in Croyde (over on the other side of Devon).
Scarista, Harris, and other locations in the Western Islands
We’ve been to a lot of great beaches in England, but have you had any recommendations for coasts in Scotland? You should not be concerned because there is a lot to brag about right here, too. The purpose of beaches is to provide an escape, and Scarista on the Isle of Harris does that in spades and buckets.
If the journey to the Outer Hebrides wasn’t already exciting enough for you, the wide-open vistas of rolling hills and desolate seascapes that can be seen from this raw and elemental beach will take you on a walk on the wild side at the very edge of society. The allure is increased by the presence of glistening white sands and brilliant blue water.
The ideal location for sunbathing without a soul in sight Scarista House is a beautiful and modest guesthouse in a blissfully quiet region of Scotland. If you’re looking for a place to stay, go no further. The structure has received a listing.
Things to see and do in the neighborhood:
Book yourself on a tour of Lewis, Harris, and the Outer Hebrides if you want to get a taste of what the Western Islands have to offer.
Holkham, Norfolk
Let’s give it up for Holkham, which features white-gold sands (uncommon among Norfolk’s more typical shingle), shells and starfish, a fringe of fragrant pine trees, and a nature reserve that is teaming with saltings and water birds. Gwyneth Paltrow walked along its shoreline by herself in the final scene of Shakespeare in Love, and for good reason: there is an introspective intensity to this minimalist landscape, a romantic vista of empty sea and sky stung by the North Sea breeze. This landscape is reminiscent of the work of Turner.
What to do and see in the neighborhood:
Pay a visit to the magnificent Holkham Hall, which features opulent interiors, a walled garden, and plenty of woodlands where visitors can stretch their legs.
Crosby, in the county of Merseyside
Another Place is an installation by the artist Anthony Gormley that is housed in a permanent gallery in Crosby. The installation consists of one hundred life-size iron men who stare out into the open sea on either side of the tide line.
Some of them are now buried up to their shoulders in sand. Others are wearing a coat made of weeds as a costume. Gormley asserts that his artwork addresses issues pertaining to migration and demonstrates that there is a social component to every environment. We believe that it produces the eeriest beach in all of Britain.
The Marlborough Hotel in Crosby is a great place to stay, and its kind staff and hearty full English breakfast are two of the hotel’s best features.
Studland Bay, in the county of Dorset
Even while Studland Bay is not as well known as the Jurassic Coast, which begins at the very end of this beautiful bay at Old Harry’s Rocks, there is still good reason to go there. Another one is the astounding natural beauty that has been conserved thanks to the efforts of the National Trust. Walking along the pathways that wind through the dunes and woodlands behind the bay, you may come across deer.
On the other hand, the heath may be the only place in Britain where you can see all six species of British reptiles. There is, of course, a catch: in order to hike the trail, you will need to tear yourself away from Middle Beach, which features a beach hut café that is endearingly run-down, and swimming conditions that are ideal due to the protection offered by the surrounding rocks.
In terms of where to stay, the Knoll House is the best option for those who enjoy playing sports, as it features both outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool. In addition, a hot tub and views of the ocean are always popular amenities to offer.
Paddle along the coast in a kayak that you rented from Middle Beach and take in the sights and sounds of the area. There is something for everyone to enjoy on Britain’s beaches, whether it’s a private stroll, a romantic picnic, or some good old-fashioned bucket-and-spade competitions with the kids.