Including dog-friendly beaches and family beaches
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If you are looking for the most beautiful sandy beaches in the UK then this post is for you. We may not get loads of sunny days, but the UK has some of the best beaches that are perfect for surfing, sunbathing, and exploring.
Our little island has everything you need for a day out by the sea. Enjoy all the natural beauty that our UK beaches have to offer. Maybe you might find one that you’ve never been to before?
For more UK travel ideas make sure you have a look at:
The Best Staycation Ideas
Scottish Road Trip Ideas
Have a look at The Best North Yorkshire Beaches here by Mum In The Mad House.
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The best beaches in the UK
This list gives you access to the best UK beaches. These all have white soft sand and clear blue sea that you can dip your toes into. Enjoy the good weather that we do have and make sure you explore everyone of these beaches as soon as you can.
Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth
Bournemouth Beach is a huge beach that covers the South Coast. They have loads of car parks near the beach and with its bright white sand and clear blue sea, it can get very busy during the summer months. The beach is flat but is protected from the wind by the huge cliffs that you can also explore.
Marloes Sands, Wales
This striking beach is surrounded by a nature reserve. Walk along this beautiful beach that is dog friendly and that offers you a clear blue sea.
Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
With huge cliffs and white sand, Compton Bay is the perfect sandy beach. Walkout during low tide and enjoy the little sand pools that this sandy beach provides. You can climb down using the wooden stairs. Take a picnic and enjoy one of our countries most beautiful beaches.
Blackpool Sands, Devon
This remote feeling beach is great for the whole family. It is easy to find and offers the cleanest water in the UK. They do have a no dogs allowed policy but it’s a stunning beach with views to die for!
Port Soif Bay, Guernsey
This beach offers outstanding natural beauty and stunning picturesque views. the shallow clifts provide loads of shelter and the sun dunes make for a great place to relax for the whole day by the sea.
Woolacombe Beach, Devon
With miles upon miles of golden sands, Woolacombe beach is perfect for sunbathing and a game of beach cricket. It’s also popular with surfers because of the wonderful breaking waves. You can teach the kids to bodyboard in the shallows and enjoy a classic ice cream from one of the vans on the sands.
Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
Miles of beautiful beach can be found on the Fylde Coast in the North West of England. Lytham St Annes lets you escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy donkey rides, a Victorian pier, and an annual kite festival. Situated between the excitement of Blackpool and the Ribble Estuary’s mudflats, you’ll also find attractive gardens and a boating lake.
Pelistry Bay, Isles of Scilly
One of Britain’s absolute gems, the Isles of Scilly allows you to make some amazing memories. The beaches are incredible and Pelistry Bay is exceptional. It’s remote enough that you might even have it to yourself when it’s not the holiday season. The blue seas are a beautiful sight and you’ll love dipping your toes in. You can even paddle out to Toll’s island and explore. There’s a campsite right next to the beach for you tent fans.
Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry
We wouldn’t want to exclude Ireland in our list of the best UK Beaches and Portstewart Strand is wonderful. Voted one of the top 10 attractions in Northern Ireland, the beach is a couple of miles long and hugged by dunes filled with wildlife. It was even used as a filming location for Game of Thrones!
St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland
Venturing up to Scotland doesn’t mean you have to miss out on beaches. Find yourself walking right through the middle of the sea, across a natural sand causeway towards a blissful isle. It’s a place for incredible culture rather than ice creams. An interesting fact is that a Pictish treasure hoard was once found here, beside the ancient chapel site. The perfect place for an adventure!
Treyarnon Bay, Cornwall
It wouldn’t be a list of the best UK beaches without mentioning Cornwall. Voted the best family beach in the country, Treyarnon Bay has won awards for its water quality. Enjoy a dip in the sea and relax as the children enjoy playing in the shallows and exploring the rock pools.
Sandsend, Yorkshire
With views of Whitby and its abbey, you can enjoy Sandsend beach all year round. During the summer, an area of the beach is marked out for swimming. It’s a popular spot for fossil hunters, fishermen, and walkers. Great for families, there is a café, gift shop and pub nearby. Enjoy the rock pools and the clean sands.
West Wittering, Sussex
Beach huts have become a staple of UK beaches and West Wittering has some beautiful ones. Lots of glorious unspoiled sand, calm seas, and lifeguards patrolling the shoreline to keep your mind at ease. It is said that you can find some of the highest water quality seawater in the country here. There are facilities here too if you need the toilet or want a hot meal.
Rhossili Beach, Gower
Making sure there’s a beach from every country in Britain, we look to Wales for Rhossili Beach. This Welsh wonder has been voted amongst the best beaches in the entire world. 3 miles of wonderful sand and coastline. Ideal for watersports, walkers, and of course, those stunning panoramic views!
Porthcurno, Cornwall
Porthcurno has won award after award and it’s easy to see why. Some people have even called it a paradise. It has spectacular fine soft white sand kissed by a sea that turns turquoise in the sun. Shelter is provided by high cliffs on both sides. You’ll also find the Minack Theatre up on the cliffs, built in the 1920s which you can visit all year round. You might even recognise the beach from the hit series Poldark.
With our list of the best UK beaches, where will you visit next?
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more UK destination ideas then have a look at our section here for our full guide to staycations. You could also pop over to our Pinterest boards for lots more travel ideas on where to go travelling throughout the UK, what to pack and beginner travel guides.
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