24 best beaches in the UK to visit this summer that feel more like the Caribbean than Cornwall
Searching for the best beaches in the UK to visit this summer? Look no further.
Summer is on its way! And OK, we all know that in the UK it can take a little while for those balmy temperatures to arrive, but these first signs of spring sunshine have got us thinking ahead to the warmer months ahead – and the prospect of spending at least some of those days among sand and sea.
While a tropical island getaway couldn't hurt, if you're looking for golden sands, crystal clear waters and azure skies closer to home, our modest island offers more than you think; you'd be forgiven for thinking some of these beaches are in the Caribbean. In fact, these UK sun-kissed sand spots tick all the summer hols boxes, from palm trees and white sands to curving bays and turquoise waters.
There are also rare gems you would struggle to find elsewhere – like the towering chalky cliffs of Dover, or the Anglo Saxon Bamburgh Castle that towers over the Northumberland beach named after it. What these beaches may lack in year-round sunshine, they certainly make up for in character – so you'll have a wonderful time, rain or shine.
Fancy making a trip to an undiscovered gem this summer? We've done the hard work for you and whittled down the 24 best beaches in the UK.
These are the best UK beaches - in our humble opinion.
ArterraAchmelvich Bay, Scotland
What Achmelvich Bay lacks in warm waters, it makes up for in postcard-perfect scenes. Set along the NC500 road trip route, this beach has everything you want: shallow, clear, and kid-friendly waters, white sand, and plenty of space to plonk with your beach towel. Be sure to get there early in the day as the designated parking area fills up quickly.
Paul Heaton / Alamy Stock PhotoFlamborough North Landing, Yorkshire
At high tide, there is no better place to be than Flamborough’s North Landing in Yorkshire. Clear turquoise waters lap at the shore and the beach is flanked by headlands that keep you sheltered from the wind. This is the smallest of four beaches in the seaside town of Flamborough, so make a day of it and beach hop between them all.
SOPA ImagesKynance Cove, Cornwall
There’s a reason Kynance Cove gets so busy in the summer months. With crystalline waters, small pockets of white sand and serpentine rocks, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the UK. Get there early and make a day of it, but be sure not to get stuck with the high tide.
Matthew HorwoodThree Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula
The fact that Three Cliffs Bay in Wales is only accessible by foot means that you won’t find the hordes of beachgoers that flock to the more easily accessible Welsh beaches. It’s back by three limestone cliffs (hence the name) and the water remains azure all summer long.
Alistair Keddie Photography / Alamy Stock PhotoBerneray Sands Beach, Outer Hebrides
Consider Berneray Sands Beach your reward for making the trip out to the Isle of Berneray in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Here sits a pearly white sand beach with waters that look like they’re straight from the Caribbean. The Isle has around 130 inhabitants, so it’s likely you won’t need to get into any elbow fights for a prime patch of sand.
PeterEtchellsWhitby Sands, North Yorkshire
Famous for being the setting of Dracula, Whitby Beach – also known as West Cliff Beach – is known for having one of the whitest stretches of sand in the UK.
P A ThompsonBamburgh Beach in Northumberland
Torn between your love of beaches and castles? Fear not, because Bamburgh Beach (also known as Bamburgh Castle Beach) in Northumberland has it all, plus sand dunes and a long, sandy coastline. It’s this combination that made it perfect as a key filming location for both Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
Aiselin82Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex
One of the nearest beaches to London, Cuckmere Haven is a peaceful pebble beach surrounded by towering chalk cliffs. It also has a serious film factor: Harry Potter, Foyle's War, Green Wing, Luther and Atonement.
MlennyWhitepark Bay, Antrim, Northern Ireland
For those who want more than sea and sand, the North Antrim coastline offers the added delights of wildlife, fossils and vast stretches of bluebell fields. There’s also Elephant Rock – a rock shaped like, well, you know what – and
Getty ImagesTresco, Isles of Scilly
This family-owned island, 28 miles off the Cornish Coast, is accessible via helicopter, plane or boat. As well as the gorgeous beach, there is also an island spa, an abbey garden and an art gallery showcasing pieces by some of Cornwall's most established artists. If it's good enough for the Royal Family...
Getty ImagesBarricane Beach, Devon
Just next door to Woolacombe, Barricane often looks like it's in the Bahamas. The inlet on the North Devon coast is a great spot for rock-pooling and shell collecting. Head up the stairs for a surprise; a little shack cafe serving excellent Sri Lankan food.
Getty ImagesDungeness, Kent
There's nowhere better than Dungeness for other-worldly landscapes. A towering lighthouse, imposing nuclear power station, wooden cabins and remote vibe will make you feel like you've accidentally found yourself on another planet. There's a haunting beauty to its barren shingle beach, stretching out as far as the eye can see. Grab some freshly caught and prepared seafood at the Dungeness Snack Shack (Weds-Sun, 11am-3pm) and let yourself sink into the desolate environment.
Getty ImagesOxwhich, Wales
Beautiful Oxwhich Beach in the Gower Peninsula is a stretch of fine sand and calm waters. Ideal for paddling, further out in the sea jet-skis and speedboats zoom past. Activities on offer include kayaking, diving and surfing.
Getty ImagesCrawley Beach, Gower Peninsula, Wales
Small and secluded, Crawley beach is popular with kayakers, canoers and surfers. It's in a remote location so be prepared for a bit of a walk.
Getty ImagesHolkham Beach, Norfolk
Part of the Holkham Nature Reserve, Holkham's golden sands seem to stretch for miles. With windswept dunes, salt marshes and a pine forest the beach was most famously featured in the closing scenes of Shakespeare in Love.
Getty ImagesTalisker Beach, Isle of Skye, Inverness
Rugged and dramatic, this is the beach for romantics in search of thundering waves, moody skies and impressive cliffs. No white sands here but a grey expanse greeting your eye instead. Stop off at the village of Carbost where the famous Talisker whisky is distilled.
Getty ImagesLuskentyre, Outer Hebrides
Last year this remote haven was voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world and it's easy to see why. With aquamarine waters, and panoramic views, the beach is located at the end of a single-track road and its breath-taking expanse makes for some dramatic sunsets.
Getty ImagesPorthcurno, Cornwall
Three miles east of Land's End, Porthcuno is accessed via a wide footpath from the carpark 200 yards above it. High cliffs on both sides of it provide perfect shelter from the winds and the soft white sand makes great sandcastle-building material. The beach was featured in the first series of Poldark.
Getty ImagesWinterton Beach, Norfolk
A charming oasis on the east coast of Norfolk, Winterton has acres of golden sands. Formerly a fishing village, the unspoilt beach is backed by dunes and if you're lucky you can catch sight of seals bobbing in the water.
Getty ImagesLangamull Beach, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Known as Bagh Chrossapol in Gaelic, this secluded spot takes a bit of walking to get to from the car park (around 50 minutes in all). But it's well worth the trek as you'll be rewarded with an expanse of white sand, sandy inlets and clear waters.
Getty ImagesWoolacombe, Devon
This three-mile stretch of golden sand is around five hours drive from London. Popular with families, as well as kite-surfers and paddle boarders, the beach is backed by one of the longest and deepest dune systems in the country, so there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore.
Getty ImagesLulworth Cove, Dorset
This horseshoe-shaped cove on the Jurassic coast in Dorset has a distinctly Mediterranean feel to it with its sand and shingle beach and teal-blue waters.
Getty ImagesBarafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Backed by dunes and pine trees, Barafundle is often compared to Carribbean beaches and for good reason with it's crystal-clear waters and golden grains. It's worth noting that this unspoilt beach can only be accessed via coastal paths and has no facilities.
Getty ImagesSouth Sands, Salcombe, Devon
Staying in Devon, South Sands in Salcombe is an idyllic inlet popular with water sports enthusiasts who come for the canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. The soft sand is perfect for castle-building is you're seeking a more leisurely vacay.
