5 Best UK Beaches You Need To Visit This Summer
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Summer is perfect for packing your bags and heading to the beach. Luckily, the UK has plenty of beaches with idyllic coastlines and sparkling waters.
Whether you’re looking for a small bay with secluded coves or a bustling seaside town, there is a beach for every type of traveller.
Whether you prefer lazing on the sand or exploring rocky shores, we have listed the top 5 best UK beaches that you need to visit this summer.
Brighton Beach
This one is a seaside resort on England’s south coast. The beach is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the summer months, and attracts over 9.5 million visitors yearly.
The beach is made of single, but this doesn’t deter many visitors from wishing to spend their summers sunbathing there.
Things To Do At Brighton Beach
The seafront has many cafes, shops, and a pier, making it the perfect place to spend a day exploring.
If you’re visiting in the spring, then you’ll want to make sure you catch the annual Brighton Festival.
Held in the city’s famous parks and beaches, the festival includes theatre, music, and dance performances, making this one of the best UK beaches to visit in May. Otherwise, it is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in the UK.
What Makes Brighton So Great?
Ideally, Brighton beach is very close to London – only an hours train journey away. The town has an eclectic mix of alternative and hippie shops, and is home to one of the biggest LGBTQ+ communities in the UK.
Brighton is one of the busiest coastal towns in the UK. There is tons of beach accommodation, restaurants serving coastal cuisine and tons of beach facilities, making it one of the best coastal spots in the UK.
Head to Brighton for an interesting, modern and relaxing seaside holiday.
Cornwall: The Best UK Beaches
Many people looking to go on holiday search for the best beaches in Devon and Cornwall – and for good reason.
Cornwall has a range of award-winning beaches that are worth visiting at any time of the year; I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one.
If you’re looking for the best UK beaches, you should head to the South Coast with its long stretches of sand and warm waters. The South Coast is home to 9 Blue Flag beaches, which are beaches that are safe for swimming and water sports.
These include the likes of Porthtowan, Porthmeor, and Trevone, which are thought to be some of the best sandy beaches in UK.
The beaches in this region are some of the cleanest in Europe, making them ideal for exploring.
Where Are The Nicest Beaches In Cornwall?
If you’re asking which part of Cornwall has the best beaches, then take a trip to the Lizard Point.
The Lizard is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. It is the most southern point of the entire UK, so this is where you want to head to soak up the sun.
Other amazing beaches in Cornwall include Widemouth Bay, Kynance Cove, Porthcurno Beach, and Sennen Beach. Many of these are also Cornwall best beaches for swimming.
Every single one of these nice beaches in Cornwall has turquoise waters and white, sandy beaches. However, you may be asking which is best beach in Cornwall.
Which Is The Best Beach In Cornwall?
Above all, Kynance Cove is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in UK and, by many, the best beach in England.
The beaches in this area are surrounded by spectacular landscapes, making them a great place to explore.
Cornwall beaches are very well known for their surfing, so if you’re a surfing fan than this is the place to head.
You can’t go wrong with any of these beaches in Cornwall, so simply take your pick and enjoy.
Check Out This Video Of Kynance Cove
If you want a sneak peek of the glorious Kynance Cove, check out CJ Explores’ amazing video.
Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
These amazing spots, both in Dorset, are two of the most photographed natural landmarks in the UK. I’ve even included Durdle Door in my Top 100 Great British Bucket List.
The limestone cliffs are a popular spot for rock climbing and walking. There are several paths that lead through the stunning nature and up to spots where you can view the iconic Door.
The Durdle Door Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the views of this iconic coastal view. It is without a doubt one of the best beaches in UK.
Where Are Some More Great Beaches In Dorset?
If you’re looking for the best UK beaches, then you’ll definitely want to visit this part of the country. Many of the beaches in this part of the UK are connected to coastal towns with great beach access.
This means that Dorset beaches have great beach facilities, including lifeguards, tons of beach activities, and beautiful beach huts, making them some of the greatest seaside destinations in the whole country.
There are several stunning sandy beaches in Dorset, including West Bay Beach, Golden Cap Beach, and the iconic Lulworth Cove – another one of the best beaches in Dorset.
Why Should I Visit The Dorset Coast?
These beaches are perfect for exploring and make for a great day out. They all run along sections of stunning Jurassic coastline and make for scenic views and photo opportunities. There are a number of coastal path, so this one’s great for the hikers among us.
The Dorset coast is also well known as a top spot for fossil hunting. So why not take your kids along to some of Dorset’s amazing family-friendly beaches and explore history whilst enjoying the south coast’s beautiful golden sands.
Check out this site to find out great tips for fossil hunting in Dorset.
This is one of the best spots to see beach sunsets and enjoy the scenic views across the coast.
Lulworth Cove is also notable for its coastal wildlife, including seals and dolphins, which you may be able to spot with some luck.
These are some of the most beautiful and impressive locations in the whole UK, and an idyllic place to visit in the summer.
However, none compare to the Durdle Door Beach, considered by most to be the best beach in Dorset.
Devon’s Creamy Sands
If you’re looking for the best UK beaches, then you should head to Devon’s creamy sands.
If you’re one of those looking for the best beaches in Cornwall and Devon, here is the Devon portion of that query.
The southwest of England has a range of beautiful beaches and is the perfect place to explore the coastline.
The beaches in this region are well known for their stunning sand, which is a creamy colour.
There are over 50 beaches in the South West that are suitable for swimming. Many of these beaches will be guarded by lifeguards and be home to beach cafes, as well as dog-friendly beaches.
The best UK beaches in this area include the likes of Slapton Sands, Woolacombe, and Bantham Beach. These Devon beaches all have wonderful coastal walks, scenic views and beach activities.
Which Is The Best Beach In Devon?
You’ll find Slapton Sands about an hours drive from Torquay. This beach has been voted the best beach in the South West for several years running, it is extremely picturesque with wonderful views.
Woolacombe Beach is located near Ilfracombe, and is also equally as popular. This beach is very popular amongst families due to its stunning, clean waters and safe environment. This is also considered to be one of the top beaches in UK and makes for a great place to head for a sunny day.
Edinburgh: A City By the Sea
Edinburgh’s location on the coast makes it the perfect city for exploring the seaside.
There are a variety of beaches in the area that are worth visiting, with the most popular being the Cramond and North Berwick.
Both of these are a very short distance from Edinburgh city centre taking only 30 mins – 1 hour to get to.
Cramond is one of the most popular beaches in the area, making it one of the best UK beaches to visit in the summer.
There is a causeway over to Cramond Island, but make sure to check the tide times before you make the trek over.
Visiting North Berwick
North Berwick is a great place for exploring and makes for an exciting day out. There are plenty of dramatic coastal walks, and the seas is perfect for swimming in.
You’ll find that there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, including a number of classic fish and chip shops.
This is also a fantastic place to head for rock pooling, making it a great place to take the kids for a fun day exploring the beach.
Explore North Berwick Online
Shawna Explores has made a great video showing you around North Berwick so you can see exactly what is so great about this wonderful seaside town.
St. Helens: A Hidden Gem on the Isle of Wight
St. Helens is a quaint village set on the east coast of the Isle of Wight, making it a very special and unique UK beach to visit in the summer.
The seaside village is one of the sweetest in the entire country and is known for its sandy beaches.
You are able to take a ferry across to the Isle of Wight from Southampton, and the journey takes approximately 2 hours.
Things To Do In St Helens
The Isle of Wight is a wonderfully interesting place, containing a number of dinosaur remains and beautiful white coastal cliffs. This makes it one of the best coastal spots for fossil hunting.
St Helens gives you a wonderful insight into the quiet and historic culture of the island.
St Helens has a ruined historic church for you to explore, as well as a number of popular restaurants and cafes.
It is one of the best places in the UK for stunning scenic views, thanks to its history. The beach sunsets here are absolutely second to none, making coastal walks even more special.
If you’re looking for the best UK beaches to visit, then St. Helens is the perfect place to spend a day exploring.
Summary
If you’re looking for the best UK beaches, then head to Brighton, Cornwall, Devon, Edinburgh, and St. Helens. These areas have some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
Each location has something for everyone, whether that’s a rich, alternative culture, a bustling city, or a quiet old village.
No matter which beach you visit, you’ll experience unspoiled views, stunning landscapes, and calm waters. These are the perfect places to relax and enjoy the seaside.
Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen during the summer months and keep your belongings safe by storing them in a beach bag.
There are plenty of beaches in the UK with something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day out or a more secluded experience, you’ll find it at the beach.
Thank you so much for reading! Please feel free to leave a comment letting me know what your favourite beach in the UK is. I hope to see you again here soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
