From pebble beaches and soaring white cliffs, to swathes of golden sands that look like something straight from the Med, here are 10 of the best British beaches for you to bum around on.
10 of the best beaches in the UK for 2019
1. Saunton Sands, Devon
Some famous people have skipped along these shores, including Robbie Williams and Olly Murs, both heart-throbs having chosen Saunton Sands as a music video location. The quaint English seaside town in North Devon is also popular with surfers, so grab a board and hit the waves, or go at a slower pace and enjoy a slice of village life.
Find cheap hotels in Devon2. Birling Gap, East Sussex
This seaside stop lies on Sussex’s South Downs, not far from Beachy Head, and shares the same stretch of famous white cliffs, which have featured in many films, books and TV shows; Beachy Head hosted Harry Potter’s 1994 Quidditch World Cup. There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, there’s a café, a shop and a visitor centre, all run by the National Trust. But it’s the perfect place for a bracing walk and a rummage in the rockpools.
Search flights to London GatwickCar hire in London3. Polzeath, Cornwall
In Cornish, Polzeath actually means ‘dry creek’, which is ironic, given the amount of blue stuff that laps the shore here. The long sloping beach makes it ideal for families wanting to splash about in the sunshine (when it appears) and you don’t need to go to Florida to swim with dolphins – they’ve been spotted off the coast right here in Cornwall!
Search flight to NewquayHotels in Cornwall4. Portbradden, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Gone fishing. That’s the most common Facebook status for residents in this ancient salmon fishing station. That is if they can get internet reception. This remote hamlet is the prime place for fishing, and birdwatching, but for a bit more action, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the world famous Giant’s Causeway isn’t far away.
Looking for bigger adventures? Feel the sand between your toes with these sun-drenched pictures of some of the world’s most stunning beaches.
Hotels in Northern Ireland5. Crosby Beach, Merseyside, Liverpool
Escape from the chaos of one of Britain’s leading industrial cities, Liverpool, and head to Crosby Beach, spanning the three miles from the Port of Liverpool to the River Alt. Here you’ll find Anthony Gormley’s sculptures, a collection titled Another Place, dotted along the shoreline, inspiring you to contemplate our relationship with nature as the tide reveals these life-size iron casts of the artist’s own body.
Search flights to LiverpoolHotels in Liverpool6. Hunstanton, Norfolk
A popular spot for Victorian holidaymakers, Hunstanton has everything you’d expect form a traditional British seaside town. Colourful beach huts? Check. Fairground? Check. Fresh fish and chips? Of course! We recommend Fishers of Hunstanton, which has been serving up vinegar drenched spuds in newspaper cones for over 40 years.
Search flights to NorwichHotels in Norwich7. Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Apart from one of the UK’s best beaches, there’s a lot of history in the tiny seaside town. From the 13th-century walls that surround it, to the Tudor Merchant’s House, learn a bit about local history and visit some of the 200 listed buildings in Tenby. The beach is usually strewn with stripy deck chairs during summer, as it’s a popular day-tripper destination, with plenty of seafront pubs and cafés nearby. If the sands get a little bit too crowded, set sail on a tour to Caldey Island. Many of the tours on offer depart from the harbour.
Many of Britain’s best beaches are showcased along the stunning Welsh shoreline. Discover our list of the most beautiful coastal spots in Wales.
Search flights to CardiffHotels in Tenby8. Blackpool, Lancashire
Arguably Britain’s most iconic beach resort, Blackpool is home to bright lights, soft sands and of course, the Pleasure Beach. Whilst many enthusiastic thrill-seekers head down to the Lancashire coast during the summer months to ride the ‘Big One’, you should also check out The Big Switch On, the opening ceremony of the annual Blackpool Illuminations which this year begins on the 30th ofAugust and runs until the 3rd of November 2019. Needless to say, this is one of the best beaches in the UK for family fun.
Search flights to BlackpoolHotels in Blackpool9. Dalmor Beach, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
One half of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Lewis is home to plenty of wildlife, including golden eagles and red deer. Being an island that’s battered by the North Atlantic, there are also tons of sweet surf spots catering for all levels, including Dalmor and Dalbeag Beaches. You might want to pack a pretty thick wetsuit though as these waters get pretty nippy!
Search flights to GlasgowHotels in the Isle of Lewis10. Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Looking for a spot to sit on a shingle beach and tuck in to a pot of mussels or vinegary cockles? You won’t get much better than Aldeburgh, whose stony beach has been awarded a Blue Flag for being environmentally friendly and an all-round pretty place. Check out The Scallop, a four-metre tall sculpture of a scallop shell dedicated to one of Suffolk and Norfolk’s most famous residents, composer Benjamin Britten.
Search flights to London LutonHotels in AldeburghGo further afield and see some more stunning sandy spots around the world: Discover six secret beaches in the Mediterranean. Or bag a bargain from Ireland to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with Skyscanner.
The 10 best beaches in the United Kingdom 2019
| 1. Saunton Sands, Devon |
| 2. Birling Gap, East Sussex |
| 3. Polzeath, Cornwall |
| 4. Portbradden, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| 5. Crosby Beach, Merseyside, Liverpool |
| 6. Hunstanton, Norfolk |
| 7. Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales |
| 8. Blackpool, Lancashire |
| 9. Dalmor Beach, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland |
| 10. Aldeburgh, Suffolk |
*Updated April 2019. Prices correct at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
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