Surfing to sand dunes: 15 of the best beaches in the UK

Widely considered the best beach in the UK, North Devon’s Woolacombe Beach is a prime spot for those looking for a traditional seaside experience.

The winner of multiple awards for its cleanliness, facilities, water, and views, the golden sand stretches for just over three miles between the idyllic seaside towns of Croyde and Ilfracombe.

Surfers of all abilities will find a wave to catch, while kids can easily spend hours making sandcastles and collecting seashells along the shoreline. With so much space, there’s plenty of room for everyone – whether you want to kite surf or walk your dog.

To really make the most of your UK beach holiday, rent one of Woolacombe’s colourful beach huts. They’re perfect for sheltering in from the sun, plus you can use them to store your stuff if you fancy going for a horse ride in the nearby town.

At Porthcurno Beach you’ll find soft sand and azure water that wouldn’t look out of place in an advert for the Maldives at Porthcurno.

One of the best beaches in the UK for soft sand and beautiful vistas, you’ll find it located on the far reaches of the Cornish coast.

Commonly referred to as the best beach in Cornwall, the sheltered cove is a great place to soak up the sun. Families with young children will love paddling in the gentle stream which runs along the beach.

Famous for its steady 6ft to 8ft waves, this is the place to go if you’re serious about surfing.

A venue for major surfing competitions (including the UK national event) it’s a great place for people-watching should you not want to ride any waves.

Beginners should not be put off as calmer waves can also be found and it’s a real experience to spend time learning to surf on this lively beach.

Once you’re done, enjoy a fun night out in nearby Newquay, just half a mile away.

For another well-known surf spot, make your way north to the gorgeous North Yorkshire coast. 

Scarborough has been a surfing hub for decades and it’s the perfect place for kids and teens to practice their surfing skills.

The town has been one of the best UK beach holiday destinations since the Victorian era and boasts two sweeping sandy beaches lined with a variety of amenities. Pretty South Bay, with its colourful chalets and classic seaside vibe, is particularly great for beginner surfers as it’s fairly sheltered and at low risk from riptides.

Mid to low tide tends to be the best time for a surfing session. Scarborough has several surf schools offering kids’ lessons and affordable equipment hire.

What’s more, after you’ve hit the surf, there are plenty of ways to warm up on South Bay. Lie on the sand, try your luck at the amusement arcades, or tuck into some traditional fish and chips (just watch out for the hungry seagulls).

It’s no surprise this stunning unspoilt beach is often featured as a backdrop on TV and in films. There are more than 50 beaches in Norfolk, but this is my favourite.

It’s a great place for walkers, dogs, kite-fliers and swimmers. At low tide, you can walk for ages along beautiful sand before you reach the sea while at high tide a semi-circular basin behind the shoreline turns into a huge lagoon.

As part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve, the four-mile expanse is one of the most untarnished areas of the country and home to many rare plants and animals.

However, because of this fact, there are no facilities so make sure you bring a packed lunch and empty your bladder before arriving.

This remote beach in the Isles of Scilly really does has star quality. Tucked away on Tresco (the second largest of the Scilly Isles), it’s hands-down one of the best beaches in England — especially if you’re after spectacular, completely unspoilt views.

With its butter-soft sand and crystal-clear waters, you’d be correct to make comparisons between Pentle Bay and a Caribbean beach. It’s nestled on the sheltered southeastern side of the island, plus its shoreline’s gradual incline into the sea makes it a brilliant spot for kids who fancy a swim or paddle.

You’ll find Pentle Bay just a short (and very scenic) stroll from the island’s two quays. Despite its easy access and worldwide fame, the beach is rarely busy — even in the height of summer.

It’s the perfect place to throw down a blanket in the sunshine and enjoy the serene vistas of the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. Just bring your own snacks and water as there are zero facilities.

The descent from the high cliffs into this horseshoe-shaped sandy bay makes for a very picturesque scene.

Broadstairs was a favourite holiday destination of author Charles Dickens during the 1850s and there are many mentions of him and his work around the local area. Bleak House, where he wrote David Copperfield, can even be seen from the beach.

Speaking of which, Viking Bay is easily one of the best sandy beaches in the UK. The wide golden stretch is lined with an array of excellent restaurants, or you can pick up a fish and chip takeaway on the pier.

The beach also offers a tidal pool for paddling, a fantastic surf school and heaps of activities for the kids during the summer months.

At West Cliff Beach you’ll find a traditional bucket and spade UK beach holiday experience with donkey rides, colourful beach huts, paddling pools and a lighthouse to boot.

Located in the town of Whitby, the beach’s huge size and flat surface make it a great option for dogs, kite-flying, and ball games.

Visiting with kids? You’ll also find a mini golf course, skateboard area, and trampolines. Those who love a good hike can also enjoy a coastal walk along the high cliffs overlooking the beach.

You’re guaranteed stunning views of the North Sea.

While Brighton beach may be full of pebbles, we’ve included it on our list as it’s such a great day out.

Brighton‘s sea water is classified as ‘excellent’ for bathing due to its clean, Blue Flag waters. It’s also one of the closest beaches to London, being just 47 miles away and easily accessible by train.

Brighton Beach’s famous promenade is a whopping four miles long and features a Sea Life Centre (the world’s oldest aquarium). Its world-famous Victorian Pier is an absolute must-see for some family fun, while the town’s picture-perfect Lanes are only a stone’s (or pebbles) throw away.

You can get a great view of the beach by zooming up to the top of the glass-domed British Airways 136 tower. Or why not practice your downward dog at 162 metres above sea level during one of the tower’s regular yoga classes?

At the eastern end of the beach, you’ll also find a naturist section: the UK’s first nudist beach when it opened in 1980.

If the Hebrides are up next on your travel agenda, don’t skip this quiet, idyllic white-sand beach. It’s located on the west coast of Harris and is well worth the epic half-hour drive along the coast from Tarbert (or 90 minutes from Stornoway).

Harris and Lewis have no shortage of beautiful sandy beaches but Hushinish takes the crown. The water here is aquamarine and often home to seals and otters.

Despite its remoteness, Hushinish features a proper car park (you can even stay overnight in a campervan for a small fee) and a purpose-built shower and toilet block if you fancy a dip in the sea.

Feeling energetic? I’d highly recommend hiking along the path just north of the beach to Hushinish’s so-called secret beach: Traigh Mheilein. This huge stretch of white sand is usually deserted and features fabulous views across the Ilse of Scarp.

If the sun is shining, this series of white sandy beaches dotted along the coast from Arisaig to Morar resemble those from a Caribbean island.

Featured in the 1983 movie Local Hero, the picture-perfect beaches and translucent water are best explored at low tide.

Walkers enjoy coming to this Mallaig gem to walk along the coastal track and enjoy spectacular views of the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, and Canna.

One of the most photographed sights in Wales, Tenby North Beach has a backdrop of colourful houses on top of the cliffs overlooking the harbour.

Southwest Wales is blessed with a vast array of great beaches but this small sheltered pick in front of the Tenby‘s medieval walls is a glorious sun trap.

Get there at low tide to see the eye-catching Goskar rock sticking out in the middle of the sand. The area is popular with families and visitors wanting to canoe and paddle-board.

Have a few days in the area? Nearby Tenby South Beach and Castle Beach are also well worth exploring.

Sweeping three miles long at the western end of the Gower peninsular, the iconic Rhossili Bay is one of the UK’s most dog-friendly beaches.

On the receiving end of the Atlantic swell it’s also a popular spot for surfers and other water sport enthusiasts.

Walkers flock to the area to admire the dramatic views, including Gower’s dramatic Worms Head landmark. If you look closely down into the waters, you might even spot a dolphin.

Widely considered the best beach in Northern Ireland, the National Trust owns this pristine two-mile stretch of golden sand on the north coast.

Known locally as ‘The Strand’, the spot boasts views of the Inishowen headland and the stunning Mussenden Temple perched right on the cliffs above.

The area is popular for surfing thanks to its dramatic waves, while walkers have access to Portstewart Strand’s huge 6000-year-old sand dunes which are the largest in the country.

If you’ve not been to Ballintoy Harbour Beach before, you might still recognise its eye-catching dunes and dramatic cliff-face from TV blockbuster Game of Thrones.

The rugged location is the filming location for the port of Pyke, while the ‘Iron Islands’ are the mountainous rocks just off the coast.

Accessed by a steep, winding road, this ‘raised’ beach has views of the Giant’s Causeway, a wondrous stretch of Irish coastline with perfectly formed hexagonal columns.

You can also check out sea stacks, coves and rock pools – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins leaping through the waves.