The United Kingdom is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. From the rugged coastlines of Scotland to the pristine sands of Cornwall, there’s a beach for every taste and preference. In this listicle, we’ll explore 20 of the most breathtaking beaches in the UK that will make you want to pack your bags and head out on an adventure.
1. Woolacombe Beach, Devon
Woolacombe Beach is a three-mile stretch of golden sand that has been voted one of the best beaches in the UK. With its clear waters and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no wonder why this beach is so popular. Visitors can enjoy surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, or take a stroll along the beach and explore the nearby sand dunes.
2. Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula, Wales
Rhossili Bay is a three-mile stretch of sandy beach that offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is backed by towering cliffs and is a popular spot for surfing, hiking, and picnicking. Visitors can also explore the nearby Worm’s Head, a rocky outcrop that juts out into the sea and is home to a variety of wildlife.
3. Durdle Door, Dorset
Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch that juts out into the sea, creating a stunning backdrop for the beach. The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Visitors can also explore the nearby Lulworth Cove, a sheltered bay that is perfect for fishing and rock pooling.
4. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall
Porthcurno Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand that is surrounded by towering cliffs. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing, and visitors can also explore the nearby Minack Theatre, an open-air theatre that is carved into the cliffs.
5. Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland
Luskentyre Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand that is backed by rolling hills and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and kayaking, and visitors can also explore the nearby Hebridean Way, a long-distance walking trail that takes in some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland.
6. Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Holkham Beach is a vast stretch of sandy beach that is backed by pine forests and sand dunes. The beach is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and horseback riding, and visitors can also explore the nearby Holkham Hall, a stunning 18th-century mansion that is surrounded by acres of parkland.
7. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
Bamburgh Beach is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is overlooked by the imposing Bamburgh Castle. The beach is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and horseback riding, and visitors can also explore the nearby Farne Islands, a group of islands that are home to a variety of seabirds and seals.
8. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Barafundle Bay is a secluded beach that is only accessible by foot, making it a peaceful and unspoiled spot. The beach is backed by towering cliffs and is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Visitors can also explore the nearby Stackpole Estate, a stunning stretch of coastline that is home to a variety of wildlife.
9. Pentle Bay, Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Pentle Bay is a stunning stretch of white sand that is backed by crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, and visitors can also explore the nearby Abbey Gardens, a stunning sub-tropical garden that is home to a variety of exotic plants.
10. Saunton Sands, Devon
Saunton Sands is a vast stretch of sandy beach that is backed by towering sand dunes. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing, and visitors can also explore the nearby Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that is home to a variety of wildlife.
11. Achmelvich Beach, Lochinver, Scotland
Achmelvich Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand that is backed by crystal-clear waters and rugged cliffs. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, and visitors can also explore the nearby Assynt Mountains, a stunning range of peaks that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
12. Blackpool Sands, Devon
Blackpool Sands is a sheltered bay that is backed by towering pine trees and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and visitors can also enjoy a variety of water sports, including water skiing and wakeboarding.
13. Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Marloes Sands is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is backed by towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a popular spot for walking, swimming, and surfing, and visitors can also explore the nearby Skomer Island, a nature reserve that is home to a variety of seabirds and seals.
14. Whitby Beach, North Yorkshire
Whitby Beach is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is overlooked by the imposing ruins of Whitby Abbey. The beach is a popular spot for walking, swimming, and fossil hunting, and visitors can also explore the nearby Whitby Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of local history and archaeology.
15. Sandwood Bay, Sutherland, Scotland
Sandwood Bay is a remote and unspoiled beach that is only accessible by foot, making it a peaceful and secluded spot. The beach is backed by towering sand dunes and is a popular spot for walking, camping, and wildlife watching. Visitors can also explore the nearby Cape Wrath, the most northwesterly point in mainland Britain.
16. Llanddwyn Beach, Anglesey, Wales
Llanddwyn Beach is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is backed by sand dunes and pine forests. The beach is a popular spot for walking, swimming, and windsurfing, and visitors can also explore the nearby Llanddwyn Island, a small tidal island that is home to the ruins of a medieval church.
17. Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
Fistral Beach is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is known as one of the best surfing spots in the UK. The beach is backed by towering cliffs and is a popular spot for surfing, bodyboarding, and paddleboarding. Visitors can also explore the nearby Newquay Zoo, which is home to a variety of exotic animals.
18. Mwnt Beach, Ceredigion, Wales
Mwnt Beach is a secluded cove that is backed by towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and dolphin watching, and visitors can also explore the nearby Mwnt Church, a 14th-century church that offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline.
19. Sennen Cove, Cornwall
Sennen Cove is a stunning stretch of sandy beach that is backed by towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, and visitors can also explore the nearby Land’s End, the most westerly point in mainland England.
20. Luskentyre Sands, Isle of Harris, Scotland
Luskentyre Sands is a stunning stretch of white sand that is backed by crystal-clear waters and rolling hills. The beach is a popular spot for walking, swimming, and wildlife watching, and visitors can also explore the nearby Hebridean Way, a long-distance walking trail that takes in some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland.
Becky is a fervent wildlife enthusiast and pet care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. Her love for animals stretches beyond the domestic, embracing the wild tapestry of global fauna. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to OutlandishOwl through insightful articles, captivating wildlife information, and invaluable guidance on pet nutrition. Her work embodies a deep commitment to understanding the intricate lives of animals and a passion for educating others on sustaining natural habitats. Becky's hands-on conservation efforts and her knack for translating complex dietary science into practical pet feeding tips make her an indispensable voice for creatures great and small.
