Golden sandy bays and crystal clear water is every summer’s dream. We know many beaches outside of the UK such as the Ora Beach in Indonesia are deserving the title, but can UK beaches compete? We have researched the country from top to bottom and brought you the best beaches in the UK. These perfect destinations for a staycation will make you feel like you are in a secluded resort sipping a cocktail in the scorching heat.

From the spectacular Cornwall coastline to hidden beaches in Pembroke, well-known destinations in Devon and the most unexpectedly stunning beaches in Scotland, we have the best of every corner in the UK. Below we guarantee you’ll find your dream staycation destination, and you’ll never look at the UK the same way again.

Devon Beaches

Devon has been a regular holiday destination for many in the UK. With its’ traditional cafes and chippys, the iconic Whippy ice cream and market stalls around for the perfect souvenirs, you have everything you’d possibly want from a British beach holiday. Our top 3 choices for Devon are:

Woolacombe

The three-mile sandy coast is a fantastic choice for families and is a famous destination for building sandcastles and beach sports. With plenty of activities such as Kayaking, Coasteering and Surfing in Woolacombe, This is certainly deserving of the best beaches in the UK title. You can plan your hen and stag do’s too, and with three large car parks, it’s one of the most accessible beaches in the UK.

Woolacombe Beach

Blackpool sands

This family beach will make you forget about the French riviera. As a Blue Flag Award-winning beach, on the South West Coast Path, you will have plenty of activities to do from water sports to hikes. Even on rainy days, it’s a pleasure to watch the waves crash with a cup of tea in hand. It offers a fantastic range of facilities from toilets to parking and disabled facilities, so whether you are looking to discover the sand pits, or are looking to cool down in the summer months, there is plenty of space for everyone looking for a beach holiday.

Blackpool beach

Dawlish

This traditional seaside town has got the heart of many in the UK. With a fantastic stretch of a long sandy beach, your sandcastles and sculptures will feel at home. You will find the famous black swans roaming around the town, and with its range of classic British sweet shops, pasty shops and proper ice cream places, you will have a taste of what a classic British holiday feels like on the seaside. With a nature reserve on its doorstep and excellent walking paths all around, you will be coming back for more!

Dawlish

Dorset Beaches

With over 100 miles of coastline, you will find a huge variety of beaches whether you are looking to take a swim, build sandcastles or have an active day out with your dog on a pebbly coastline. Home to many family favourites and secret beaches too, you are guaranteed to find a perfect spot. Our top choices for a seaside day out include:

Durdle Door, Jurassic coast

One of the most iconic landmarks in Dorset, Durdle Door is a breathtaking coastline, which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. This beauty spot offers a range of hidden rock pools, caves and walking paths for you to explore. The pebbled beach is a favourite for those with a passion for snorkelling and is a great spot for a swim and other water-based sports too, such as paddle boarding. You will find a good-sized car park, however, be prepared, as it takes 143 steps to get down to the beach. As a dog-friendly beach in the UK, this is a popular destination for many, and a perfect beach for an active day out.

Durdle Door

Mudeford Sandbank

Mudeford is a place not known to many, however, it is certainly deserving of a visit! It is part of the Site of Nature Conservation Interest and it is accessible in multiple ways including the most memorable ferry from Mudeford Quay. This is not only a stunning beach that you may have to yourself but is also home to many rare species of reptiles, birds and insects only found in the UK. With toilet facilities and welcoming nature toward dogs, this is an ideal destination for those looking to have a picnic in the sunshine and a treasure hunt on the sandy secluded beach. 

Mudeford

The above destinations are some of the best Beaches in the UK and are home to countless activities to make the summer holidays memorable. With sandy and pebbly beaches on your doorstep, you won’t be missing the airport queues, as they will live up to the best beaches in the world. All with their characteristics, we believe they should be on your Summer beaches bucket list. You won’t be disappointed. Getting to these destinations won’t be a problem either, as if you are looking to travel by train or by bus, Travelbillity will be able to offer you their service to drop you to your desired location, taking the stress out of your holiday.