You might think you have to fly abroad to relax on a beautiful beach, but the UK has its own stunning seasides to offer – and, this week, temperatures to rival its often-hotter neighbours. From the hidden sands of Scotland to Cornwall’s picturesque shores, Holidu.co.uk has ranked the top beaches in the UK – here are the top 30 to visit this week and beyond. Be sure to take extra care in excessive heat, staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, seeking shade when necessary and applying a high factor sunscreen.
Concealed in the eastern side of Chichester Harbour, East Head is a stunning set of sand dunes managed by the National Trust since 1966. This natural sandy beach is considered a precious 'wild' resource, and treasured by locals. Take a stroll along the coastline, play some beach games or just relax in the sun. Adventure seekers can push the boat out with water sports like canoeing, surfing and paddle boarding.
Just eight miles (13km) from Aberdeen, this flat sandy beach is the perfect place to spend a sunny summer’s day. Popular with walkers, dog owners, runners and horse riders, Balmedie has something for everyone. Have a delicious barbecue or organise an idyllic picnic as you enjoy the Scottish breeze and the beautiful surrounding scenery. Before you leave, a wander down the sandbanks reveals the haunting remains of 20th century shipwrecks.
Part of the golden coastline that runs from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head Beach marks the eastern end of a sumptuous stretch of seaside. Surprisingly unspoilt compared to the commercialised coastlines around it, you can visit via train or by foot. The eponymous Head serves up breathtaking panoramas of the neighbouring nature reserve, spanning Mudeford Sandbank, Mudeford Quay, Poole Bay, Christchurch and even the Isle of Wight.
Traeth y Greigddu, also known as Morfa Bychan or Black Rock Sands, is a sandy stretch of shoreline punctuated with rocky clusters that are not in fact black but light brown. On the fringes of Snowdonia National Park, this beach comes with incredible views not only of the Irish Sea, but also the neighbouring mountains and countryside. Explore the atmospheric caverns hidden within the jagged rock formations, or enjoy a picnic among the dunes.
Although Llanddwyn is often described as an island, it remains attached to the mainland at all but the highest tide. Part of the Newborough National Nature Reserve, this Welsh beach provides incomparable views of Snowdonia and the length of the Llŷn Peninsula. Wander the verdant hills leading to the beachfront, and enjoy your day sunbathing, swimming, windsurfing or kitesurfing. The nearby forest also offers excellent hiking along an extensive network of leafy footpaths.
This secluded corner of northwest Wales is famous for its ‘Whistling Sands’, its name derived from the squeaking sounds the sand makes when stepped on. The waves are perfect for surfing, and your board makes an excellent vantage point for seal-spotting. Eagle-eyed visitors might even catch sight of dolphins breaching from the Irish Sea.
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Immediately southeast of the formidable Tantallon Castle, Seacliff offers awesome vistas of land and ocean. Visitors can discover a range of ruins, from 16th-century Auldhame Castle to the crumbling façades and spires of Seacliff House. Make sure to seek out the sandstone harbour, said to be one of the smallest in Scotland, and enjoy the view of the mighty Bass Rock resting a mile off shore.
This southwestern Pembrokeshire beach has become famous for appearing in blockbuster movies, from a battle sequence in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, to the Shell Cottage scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s as popular with surfers as it is directors thanks to a strong rip current, and the advanced flips and tricks should help keep even non-film fans entertained.
Access this stunning beachside by foot, bike, train or even ferry, and experience 1,640 feet (500m) of golden sandbank adorned with almost 300 colourful beach huts. These huts are residential and most include kitchens, so throughout the year you can stay overnight, and wake to the lapping waves of the English Channel.
For a peaceful family day out, head to Porth Dafarch on the Isle of Anglesey, and enjoy this photogenic sandy cove surrounded by rocky cliffs. The beach is cycle-friendly and popular with scuba divers and canoeists, so you can pass your time paddling, building sandcastles or experiencing the wonders beneath the waves.
This natural cove beach in East Lothian dazzles visitors with spectacular views of the 1885 lighthouse on Fidra Island just off shore. The uninhabited islet is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's children’s classic Treasure Island, after the author visited Fidra with his father, who helped design the lighthouse tower. Today, the stretch of stunning sandbars are dog- and barbecue-friendly, making it a fun beach for all the family. Take a dip in the North Sea, or hike one of the many nature trails in the surrounding area.
Perched at the mouth of the Ythan River, the clue to Newburgh Seal Beach’s popularity is in the name. Over 400 spottable seals lounge along the shoreline, an attractive backdrop for lunch on the sand or a refreshing drink at the Newburgh Inn. Just a 20-minute drive from Aberdeen, the beach is encircled by the Forvie National Nature Reserve, where you can discover all sorts of Scottish wildlife such as colourful butterflies and moths or blooming floras.
Though best known for golf courses, Gullane also boasts a beautiful sandy beach that’s well worth a visit. This slice of Scottish seaside shines thanks to an incredible panorama of the Firth of Forth estuary, and on windy days it’s perfect for windsurfing and kite-flying. When warmer, it’s a splendid sunbathing spot.
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This strip of Cornish coast is owned by the National Trust, and features a long line of bright sandbanks and rugged cliffs. Marine life flourishes in the many rock pools, particularly crabs, shrimps and small fish, and at one end lies a little harbour-come-cove once used to export slate. The entire beach is underwater at high tide, so check the schedule in advance.
This Devon beach is famed for outstanding natural beauty, thanks mostly to the iconic Burgh Island, that visitors can access on foot at low tide. Famous novelist Agatha Christie was a frequent visitor to the island, with two of her mysteries being set on its rugged landscape. When the tide is high, you can still reach the landmark on a one-of-a-kind sea tractor, and there you’ll find an award-winning hotel perfect for a romantic getaway. Adrenaline junkies can try bodyboarding, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
White chalk cliffs, pretty pebbles and effortless tranquillity – Cuckmere Haven is one of most beautiful beaches in East Sussex, if not the whole of England. Found at the mouth of the meandering Cuckmere River, the beach is famous for the panorama of its 19th-century coastguard cottages, and the popular Seven Sisters cliffs. Another well-known movie set, Cuckmere Haven joins Freshwater West in hosting both Robin Hood and Harry Potter – but in completely different films.
Whovians of the world, assemble. Dunraven Bay played host to beloved Doctor Who episode Doomsday – in which the Doctor and companion Rose Tyler share their last, emotional goodbyes – but it’s not just fans of British Noughties television that will find the beach memorable. Fossil lovers flock to this ancient stretch of Jurassic coast, alongside walkers keen to sample the spectacular clifftop scenery.
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An award-winning beach popular with families and surfers alike, Woolacombe brings big Atlantic waves along a three-mile (5km) stretch of fine sand perfect for relaxing and building sandcastles. Don't forget to bring the doggo – Woolacombe welcomes four-legged friends.
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Follow a picturesque, tree-lined trail to find Cwm Nash (also known as Monknash Beach), a beautiful shoreline with an impressive set of cliffs to back it up. Relax amid the soothing sights and sounds of the area’s many waterfalls, or head further down the beach to the magnificent Dunraven castle, remodelled in the 19th century.
This stunning cove can be found amid a remote succession of sand dunes at the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, at the end of a winding footpath and a dizzying set of steps. That rare thing – a genuine hidden gem – Porth Ceiriad’s sands are beautifully golden and its sea a sparkling blue. Various water sports are available on site, from kayaks to bodyboards and yachts.
A small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Islay, this two-mile (3km) sandbank is also known by the name of nearby settlement Kilchoman. Rocky at both ends, the northern reaches are striped by several paddle-able streams – great fun for children to splash in. Looking straight out over the Atlantic, the beach is at its best and most beautiful when the sun starts to sink below the ocean.
Steep steps lead down to this stunning Cornish cove, home to bijou Bossiney Beach. The sand here disappears completely at high tide, but when the sea is out it’s a joy to explore. Spot the well-known Elephant Rock concealed in the western cliff of Bossiney Haven, or to the right of the cove find an impressive cave, a full 60 feet (18m) high, running deep into the rock.
Ranked the UK’s number one ‘dog-friendly beach’ by The Times, this internationally renowned strip of sand comfortably lives up to the hype. The waves mean it’s popular with surfers, the nesting birds mean it's popular with birdwatchers and the views mean it’s popular with almost everyone else.
Hidden northwest of Duffus Castle lies Cove Bay, a dramatic stretch of sandbars along the Moray Firth where the river meets the North Sea. Also known as Primrose Bay, this spectacular spot sits a mile and a half (2.4km) along a scenic coastal path from Hopeman Beach, or if you’re feeling sure-footed there’s a more adventurous route straight down the cliffs. Caves, rock arches and other intriguing formations await on both sides of the beach.
Off-the-beaten-track Mellon Udrigle Beach, near a tiny settlement of the same name outside the almost-as-tiny village of Laide, sits amid breathtaking views of the north Scottish coast. Hike down the wooden boardwalk towards the beach to discover silver sandbanks, verdant grasses and crystal-clear water. The panorama stretches across the sea to the mountainous Isle of Lewis, while seals and sea birds abound. Be sure to bring a picnic – this is a beach as nature intended, with no facilities.
Definitely the remotest beach on our list, this Shetlands shoreline is made up of a long series of sandbars connecting the small isle of St Ninian’s to the mainland. The beach is a large tombolo (a natural sandbank with sea on either side) and can be accessed from the nearby town of Bigton. Surrounded by rural farmland, it’s an ideal spot to relax and recuperate, while culture vultures can visit the island’s ruined 12th-century chapel, once home to a priceless collection of Norse artefacts and silver.
Famed for its sweep of glittering sand and sculptural cliffs and rocks, Marloes Sands can be completely covered at high tide, but numerous little bays and rock pools reveal themselves when the water goes out. Towards the western end, you can climb over the rocks towards Gateholm Island to find the idyllic little beach of Albion Sands, where you can see a wrecked ship peeking out of the sand. There’s a tale for the film buffs too. Marloes Sands welcomed Sam Claflin, Kristen Stewart and a CGI castle when it hosted a battle scene in 2012 epic Snow White and the Huntsman, and was described by star Vincent Regan as “the beach to end all beaches”.
Situated near Swansea, on the Gower Peninsula, Three Cliffs Bay beguiles visitors with its wild, rugged beauty. Strong tides and currents rim a picturesque, sandy shoreline beneath the three imposing limestone cliffs. It’s no surprise that Three Cliffs Bay is one of the most photographed spots in the area, and a great location for a scenic picnic.
Overlooked by a tiny, white 14th-century church, this sheltered, sandy cove is owned by the National Trust, and loved as much by humans as the dolphins often seen playing in the bay. Relax on the sand amid glorious views of Cardigan Bay, and hike up through lush countryside to the top of the hill for a stunning panorama.
Golden sands, crystal clear waters, and stunning surroundings – this striking beach is a Caribbean postcard on the south Welsh coast. Our top spot for scenic strolls and panoramic picnics, Barafundle Bay is surrounded by the beautiful waterways and woodlands of the Stackpole Estate, but we wouldn’t blame you for sticking to the beach. Only accessible via a half-mile (0.8km) coastal path, the lack of facilities only adds to the mystique, but make sure you don’t forget the sunscreen.
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