Where Are the Best Beaches in Britain?

Britain isn’t exactly known for its sunny beaches.

You don’t see tourists rushing to book flights to the British coast in summer. At least not in the way places like Mallorca heave with sunbathing beauties over July and August.

But there’s something enchanting about beaches in Britain. It might be because they’re hidden away. Or it could be because they can put on a show in rain, hail, or shine. But our favourite thing is that you can often get entire stretches of empty white sand to yourself. Bliss.

So, before you dismiss Britain’s beaches in favour of popular Mediterranean retreats, peruse our guide to the best beaches in the UK. You may be astounded by these clear blue jewels on what people mistakenly perceive as a grey, old island.

Coming up in this blog:

Beaches in Wales:
Beaches in Scotland:
Beaches in England:
Beaches in Northern Ireland:
- Downhill Strand

Rhossili Bay Beach (Gower Peninsula, Wales)

Panoramic views, gorgeous cliffside walks, and a shipwreck make Rhossili Bay one of Britain’s best beaches. Looking for a great surf? How about a romantic sunset walk? Or some kite flying on a Sunday? Or perhaps some bird watching with the kids? You can do it all here, on the perfection that is Rhossili Bay Beach.

It’s also been touted as one of the UK’s top dog-friendly beaches, so your furry friend can enjoy the fun too.

Three Cliffs Bay (Gower Peninsula, Wales)

Imagine this. At low tide, you and your friends set off along the Gower Peninsula, wading through the shallows and the golden sand from one beach to another as you enjoy the majesty of Three Cliffs Bay. This handful of beaches are all interconnected at low tide, meaning it’s a unique opportunity to experience a part of the world that is sometimes hidden from us.

Access to the bay requires a bit of walking but it only adds to the feeling that you’re on an adventure. And when you break through the trees to find the gorgeous scenery below, you’ll feel as though you’ve slipped into a fairytale.

If you fancy a dip, lifeguards patrol the beach on weekends, during school holidays and on public holidays from May through to September.

Tenby Beaches (Tenby, Wales)

No matter what time of year you visit Tenby, you'll be bundled up in its quaintness like a cosy blanket made just for you. It’s impossible not to adore Tenby, with its cobbled lanes, hidden cafes, friendly pubs, and stunning views that overlook incredible beaches.

South Beach, North Beach, Castle Beach, and Tenby Harbour Beach. That’s right. There are four beaches in this one little haven and they’re all worth your time. Tenby is the kind of quaint village that can be strolled in a single morning, so why not grab a pastry from the local bakery or cafe, pull that lens cap off your camera, and get strolling?

Tip: If you time your stroll just right, you might be able to visit St. Catherine’s Island at low tide. This outcrop of limestone is riddled with tidal caves. Position yourself and time it right, and you might be able to see the sun winking at you through the gaps in this magnificent natural structure. And perched on this outcrop are the remnants of St. Catherine’s Fort. Back in 1866, the island was purchased by the Government for £800 - imagine that!

Even if you can’t make it out there, she makes a striking photo from the sands or clifftop garden walks opposite.

Marloes Sands Beach (Pembrokeshire, Wales)

How about a magic trick? Everybody loves a good disappearing act – especially when it’s something so stunning and enormous, you can’t possibly imagine it being there one minute and gone the next. But that’s Maeloes Sands Beach. At high tide, the beach can disappear altogether – poof! Like magic.

So, if you’re planning to visit, make sure you check the tide times... unless magic is what you’re looking for. Either way, you’ll find it here at Marloes.

When the beach isn't hiding from view, she’s backed by cliffs that can easily be called a geologist’s dream, since both sandstone and volcanic rocks can be found within the folds of the jagged rock faces.

If the beach looks familiar to you, you may recongise it from the 2011 movie Snow White and the Huntsman starring Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart.

“I’ve seen some beaches in my time, but this is the beach to end all beaches.” - Actor Vincent Regan on filming at Marloes Sands Beach

We don’t recommend you trying to reenact the battle scene that takes place on the golden sands, instead why don’t you keep an eye out for the wealth of wildlife around you, from seabirds to seals, and the remains of ancient people in the Iron Age fort on the tiny island of Gateholm.

Luskentyre Sands (Isle of Harris, Scotland)

Now this is what beach holidays are all about. Luskentyre Sands is the kind of beach people dremadream about. Situated on the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, it’s one of Britain’s more remote beaches. A secret waiting to be discovered.

Its seclusion is part of its appeal, with pure white sand stretching for miles in each direction. When the turquoise water sparkles on a sunny day, you may think you’ve been transported to the Maldives. Until you dip your toes into the icy Atlantic Ocean, that is.

But as this was named one of the UK’s best beaches in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, we reckon it’s worth checking out – even if you don’t fancy a dip.

Balnakeil Beach (near Durness, Scotland)

Our famous North Coast 500 route is often called the ‘Route 66’ of Scotland. This is the ultimate road trip if you’re looking for an unforgettably scenic drive while visiting this wee country. And, of all the must-dos and must-sees along the route, we absolutely adore a stop at Balnakeil Beach.

Located on one of mainland Scotland’s most northernly points, you can imagine just how fantastic a walk at sunset is here. The sand dunes silhouette the horizon, while the azure water is a treat for the eyes. You can just imagine it now, can’t you?

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can gain an aerial view of the beach while ziplining at 45MPH!

Calgary Bay (Isle of Mull, Scotland)

Ah, Mull. We adore our islands here in Scotland and are absolutely going to champion you visiting as many of them as possible. The Isle of Mull is a wildlife haven, known as Scotland’s Eagle Island, and a place where the only kind of traffic jam you’ll get into is one with hairy coos lining the road.

And located on the Isle of Mull is the lovely seaside destination of Calgary Bay. Surrounded by a delightful woodland sculpture park that is well worth your time, don’t miss wandering down to drink in the undisturbed shoreline of Calgary Bay. Gaze into rock pools, peer upwards in search of sea birds, or simply enjoy the quietness of the surroundings.

baby blue sea with a candy floss sky and mountains in the background

Beaches of Iona (Isle of Iona, Scotland)

There’s something about Iona. In a way, she feels like an island within an island... since you can only visit her while you’re visiting the Isle of Mull. But make your way to the wee village of Fionnphort on the southwestern tip of Mull, and you’ll be able to see Iona from the shoreline. And with a short ferry ride, you’ll find yourself on the quaint island of Iona. No cars (apart from a select few belonging to locals), Iona is the kind of place where you can walk from one end to the other in a few hours. And along the way, you’ll see luscious farm landscapes, friendly locals meandering to their destinations, and even some ruins. The Iona Abbey and Nunnery is one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe and with its stunning backdrop of sparkling blue ocean, it’s both impossible to miss and impossible to forget.

But the real draw of Iona is its beaches. Such a tiny island, surrounded on all sides by the sea, so surely, it’s no surprise that your choice of beaches for the day is extensive.

And while any choice will be a great choice, we recommend the stunning hidden coves of Port Bàn. Grab your beach towel and water bottle and head north on the island. Through the swaying machair you’ll find what feels like a secret land hidden from prying eyes, an idyllic collection of wee coves known as Port Bàn.

On a warm Scottish day (they do exist, we promise), the shape of the coves combined with the rocks and cliffs traps the heat in. The perfect sand turns warm – sometimes even so hot you might need flip-flops – and the water sparkles in greeting.

Bamburgh Beach (Northumberland, England)

Is there a scene more dramatic than a castle by the sea?

Bamburgh Castle stands guard over the undulating sand dunes and white shoreline of its most lovely companion, Bamburgh Beach. When the weather is stormy, it becomes dark and imposing like a perfect storybook setting. When it’s sunny and clear, you can see right out to Lindisfarne and get that niggling feeling that you’re so small in this wonderfully large world.

The waves are ideal for surfing, but the water is rarely warm enough for swimming. Brave souls may wish to dip their toes while gathering water for their sandcastle moat.

Blackpool Sands (Devon, England)

Surrounded by the luscious green farmscapes and forests that English literature is known for, Blackpool Sands looks something like a painting that hangs in the wall of a grand English manor. Perhaps Mr Darcy’s?

Upon approach, it truly does seem impossibly ideal, perfection captured in a single moment. It’s also arguably one of the best family beaches in Britain and the calm waters at Blackpool Sands are ideal for swimming in the warmer months.

There are plenty of facilities to keep you going, including a beach shop, showers and toilets.

Our favourite part is that you can also paddleboard or kayak here, so true water babies looking for something unique to round out their holiday might consider doing just that.

bright blue sea water with a beach in a bay and people lay sunbathing

Porthcurno Beach (Cornwall, England)

Speaking of perfection... ever wanted the ideal setting for a novel in which a mysterious pirate ship pulls in to dock surrounded by both beauty and something with an air of power? That’s Porthcurno Beach. Crystal blue waves crash against the granite cliffs as if settling an ancient dispute, but the waves have been sheltered by the cliffs all these long years. Waves and cliffs that watched over the characters of Demelza and Ross in season two of Poldark.

Whether you’re swimming or sunbathing, you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier spot. During low tide, you can access other beaches along the bay and even walk to the Treen cliffs and Logan Rock.

And did we mention the astounding Minack Theatre? This open-air amphitheatre pulls her own weight, famous in her own right, and is perched atop the cliffs overlooking the beach. What a sensational way to watch a live performance.

Holywell Bay (Cornwall, England)

Above and below, there’s something to adore at Holywell Bay Beach. From the cliffs above, the South-West Coast Path follows the sheer cliffs and panoramic views of Penhale Point and Kelsey Head.

And down below on the striking sands, shallow streams and rock pools appear at low tide, vast 5,000-year-old sand dunes lay waiting as the perfect sandboarding playground, and at low tide the spectacular St Cuthbert’s Cave looms into existence. Grab your torch and set off on your own exploration of the cave’s bizarre and colourful mineral formations.

And if you stand on the beach and think it looks familiar, it might be because it’s featured in shows like Poldark and House of the Dragon.

Downhill Strand (County Londonderry, Northern Ireland)

Calling all Game of Thrones fans. Remember that scene with the frightening Melisandre in which she stands on a beach and burns the statues of the old gods? And then everybody’s least favourite throne contender at the time – Stannis Baratheon – draws a flaming sword from the fire, dubbing it ‘Lightbringer’?

That was filmed on the wild sandscapes of Downhill Strand in Northern Ireland. The whole of Northern Ireland drew the attention of the show runners, and fans of the show can tour the country hunting down those unique locations used within the series. It’s no wonder Northern Ireland was chosen – and Downhill Strand in particular as part of Dragonstone’s exterior.

This beach beauty stretches as far as the eye can see, nestled between luscious Irish green and perfect sea blue. And keeping watch over the beach is the striking Mussenden Temple, one of the most photographed spots in the country. The ruins of an 18th-century mansion that belonged to an eccentric Bishop lie nearby as well. And the temple was originally built as a library. On a cliff-face. Puts other libraries to shame, really.

How to Keep Britain’s Beaches Clean

It’s disheartening when you visit a beach and find plastic bottles caught in the seaweed or food wrappers wedged in rock pools. Even if you can’t see any evidence of pollution in the sand, it may still exist. Microplastics are very harmful to sea life, especially when they’re mistaken for food.

We all have a part to play in ensuring our beaches remain tidy. Here are a few ways you can help keep Britain’s beaches beautiful.

1. Dispose of your rubbish responsibly.

Most people don’t need to be told twice to use a bin. But in summer, bins can fill quickly at popular beaches. Don’t jam your rubbish on top of a heaped pile as it can easily become dislodged by the wind and be blown back onto the beach. Find another bin or take your trash home with you.

2. Participate in a beach clean.

Beach cleans are held all over Britain and are great community activities. It’ll only take a couple of hours out of your weekend, and you may even meet a few friendly faces in the process. You can find a beach clean near you here. We even participate in them!

rabbie's volunteers helping to pick up rubbish from UK beaches

3. Say no to single use plastics.

It’s time to ditch plastic straws, disposable water bottles, and plastic containers. These wasteful products end up polluting our waterways and oceans. And it doesn’t make sense to use them when there are oodles of reusable alternatives that’re convenient to carry with you. These include Keep Cups for your takeaway coffee; multi-use drink bottles; and foldable, stainless-steel straws.

Top Tip: Many travellers to the UK don’t realise there’s a charge for plastic and sometimes even paper bags at shops. So, it’s worth carrying a reusable bag with you on your travels.

4. Get on board with your local zero waste shop.

Zero waste, or scoop and weigh shops are popping up all over the world. The idea is to reduce plastic packaging by bringing your own reusable containers to the store, and decanting products such as flour, honey, shampoo, hand soap etc. from big buckets. Minimise the amount of plastic you use, only buy the amount you need and save money by shopping at a scoop and weigh. You can find a zero-waste store near you here.

Looking for tips on how to be a more conscientious traveller? Pop over to our blog How to Choose Ethical Travel.