The 12 Best Beaches To Visit In The UK This Summer

If you’re planning a getaway this summer, these are the UK beaches you need on your radar.

The UK is home to some beautiful well-known and hidden beaches that on a first look, you might not even realise that they’re in the UK! With 43% of Gen Z having solo travelled in the UK and solo travelling as a whole on the rise, it’s no surprise that some of the UK’s beaches are so desirable as tourist destinations for summer.

If you’re planning a solo staycation or want a getaway with friends, here are some of the best UK beaches to try and visit this summer.

The top 12 beaches in the UK 

We’ve picked out the top 12 beaches in the UK based on a range of factors including dog-friendly beach holidays, sandy beaches in the UK (they do exist!), beaches for swimming or surfing and quieter hidden gem beaches you may not have heard of.

Best sandy beaches in the UK

1. Bournemouth, Dorset

Bournemouth is ranked as one of the best cities for a social solo staycation in the UK and it’s easy to see why! The gorgeous sandy beach will make you feel like you’re anywhere but the UK and you can choose your pick of where to sit with over 7 miles of sandy beaches.

Bournemouth is a great place to plan a staycation too thanks to the wide range of shops, restaurants and entertainment. So, whether you want a day on the pier, a day of sunbathing or a day of eating good food and ice cream, Bournemouth is one of the best sandy beaches in the UK to add to your travel bucket list.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are multiple car parks across Bournemouth town centre you can park in during your visit

• Nearby areas to explore: Southbourne Beach, Boscombe and Westbourne

• Transport: Bournemouth train station has regular trains from London and direct lines to Birmingham, Oxford, Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s also easily accessible by car or via Ferry.

2. Blackpool Sands, South Devon 

Blackpool Sands is situated in South Devon and is an award-winning sandy beach that really displays some of the hidden beauty of the UK. If you’re doubtful you can get beautiful sandy beaches in England, think again as this is a sheltered beach surrounded by woodland making it the perfect place to relax on holiday. Visitors can swim, sail or sunbathe as well as enjoy watersports or grab a bite to eat from the café. This is a hidden gem that is sure to satisfy your needs and help you recharge while on a staycation.

Things to know before you visit:

• Parking: Blackpool Sands has its own car park for visitors to park in

• Nearby areas to explore: Dartmouth, Little Dartmouth National Trust Park, Landcome Grove Beach

• Transport: The nearest train station is Totness, where you can get frequent trains from London, Cornwall, Plymouth and Exeter

Best surfing beaches in the UK

3. Sennen Cove, Cornwall 

If you love surfing, the UK has some of the best surfing beaches if you don’t mind embracing the cold water! Sennen Cove is in Cornwall and is a popular surfing destination thanks to its crescent shape which can handle the winds. It’s a sandy beach too, so once you’re done with surfing you can sunbathe and relax or check out the local cafés and restaurants nearby.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are three car parks for visitors within walking distance of the beach with hourly or all-day parking

• Nearby areas to explore: Land’s End, Sennen town, Mayon

• Transport: Sennen Cove is best accessed via car rather than train, however, visitors travelling via London could get a train to the town of Penzance train station and then either a quick bus or taxi to the beach

4. Woolacombe, North Devon

Situated in North Devon, Woolacombe is a great beach to try your hand at surfing. Woolacombe Beach has its own surf centre with trained instructors to help you out if you need lessons, with a range of equipment you can hire including wetsuits, surfboards, paddle boards and kayaks. So, whether you’ve tried surfing a few times or you’re totally new to it if you need some advice from the experts you can book lessons to enjoy your time during your trip fully.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are multiple car parks near Woolacombe Beach for visitors to choose from

• Nearby areas to visit: Woolacombe Village, Mortehoe Village, Barricane Beach, Putsborough Beach

• Transport: The nearest major train station is Barnstaple, with regular buses or taxis into the surrounding villages

Best surfing beaches in the UK for beginners

5. Saunton Sands, North Devon 

Surfing can be quite daunting if you’ve never tried it before, but luckily there are lots of surfing beaches for beginners too! Some of the best surfing beaches are the ones that have instructors offering lessons, and Saunton Sands in North Devon is not only one of the best and most well-known beaches in the UK for views, but also for surfing too. You can book group or private lessons to brush up on your skills or learn the basics so you feel confident tackling the waves.

Things to know before your visit

• Parking: Saunton Sands has its own car park for visitors

• Nearby areas to explore: Saunton, Croyde, Crow Point

• Transport: The nearest train station is Barnstaple with regular buses running from the station to the beach

6. Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

Freshwater West is one of Wales’ top surfing beaches, thanks to the consistent swell and waves. Luckily, beginners don’t need to worry as surfing lessons are available all year round for all levels to get a grip on the basics. If surfing isn’t your thing, you can try paddle boarding or kayaking instead to enjoy getting off the beach and into the water. The Welsh National Surfing Championships are held at Freshwater West annually, so you’ll be sure to see people brushing up on their skills at whatever time of the year you visit.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are two free car parks, however, visitors are warned that they can get busy very quickly

• Nearby areas to explore: Castlemartin, Newton, Linney

• Transport: The closest train station is Milford Haven which is about a 20-minute taxi or bus journey from the beach

Best quiet beaches UK

7. Porthdinllaen, North Wales

When it comes to the best quiet beaches, North Wales has so many beautiful spots to choose from including Porthinallen. An old fishing village, with a sandy beach overlooking seagrass meadows, Porthinallen is the perfect place for a peaceful weekend getaway. You can enjoy the local wildlife, go snorkelling in the sea, or enjoy a pint while taking in the postcard-worthy views. If you want to visit somewhere that won’t be packed as soon as the sun comes out, definitely consider a trip to North Wales rather than heading out to the more popular beaches in the UK.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There is a grass car park for visitors to use

• Nearby areas to explore: Morfa Nefyn, Edern, Tyn-Lon Camping Park

• Transport: Porthdinllan is best accessed by car, however, there are regular bus services

8. West Wittering, West Sussex

West Wittering Beach is a quiet beach that has loads to offer if you’re going on a staycation or day trip. From kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding and surfing there are plenty of watersports you can enjoy even if you’re a beginner. The beach is small but has a café, showers and horse riding as well as stretches of sand to relax on, so if you want a quieter beach to visit this summer add this one to your list.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: You can pre-book a space in the car park to ensure you have a space for your visit

• Nearby are to explore: West Wittering Village, Chichester, Bracklesham Bay, Portsmouth

• Transport: The closest train station is Chicester and there are regular buses to West Wittering Village

Dog-friendly beaches UK

9. Southwold Pier, Suffolk 

If you can’t imagine a day trip without your dog, you’ll know that beaches that allow dogs are quite rare in the UK. Unfortunately, a lot of beaches have restrictions in summer and dog-friendly beach holidays can be hard to find, but luckily Southwold Pier is one of the UK beaches that does allow dogs and is great for a holiday. Southwold Pier is a sand and shingle beach and not only has everything you’d expect from a traditional British pier (attractions, fish and chips, bars) but also allows dogs all year round, so your furry friends can enjoy a dip in the sea too.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There is a pay-and-display beach car park for visitors

• Nearby areas to explore: The Denes Beach, Reydon, Walberswick

• Transport: The nearest train station is Darsham, with regular buses or taxis to the beach

10. Sand Bay Beach, Somerset 

Sand Bay Beach is a long sandy beach in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset and is a dog-friendly beach that’s small, but sure to be a relaxing day out. The beach is popular with dog walkers and offers views of South Wales and across the Bristol Channel. Other than being great for dogs, Sand Bay is also popular for fishing and swimming. While it’s not a pier holiday, or a beach that will be full of sunbathers, if you want to take your dog for a walk and see a change of scenery it’s a great dog-friendly beach option.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are three main car parks for visitors

• Nearby areas to explore: Weston-Super-Mare, Grove Park Village, Ashcombe

• Transport: Worle is the closest train station with the beach just 10 minutes away in a taxis or bus

Best UK beaches for swimming 

11. Hope Cove, South Devon

Hope Cove has two bays for swimming, with lifeguards stationed on the Outer Bay. With picturesque views, it’s the perfect place to visit if swimming is a must on your trip. Just be warned that while the water will be cold all year around, the wind can get particularly bad too, so keep that in mind when planning a swim and prepare to brave the waters.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There is on-site parking for visitors

• Nearby areas to explore: Hope Cove town, Salcombe, Soar Mill Cove

• Transport: The closest train station is Totnes and Hope Cove is about half an hour away by taxi or bus

12. Tynemouth Longsands, Tyne and Wear

The north of England is home to many quiet and lesser-known beaches, and Tynemouth Longsands is an award-winning beach boasting swimmers all year around. Of course, you can expect the sea to be cold even in summer but there is an outdoor swimmers club who are seemingly unphased by that. Not to mention, there are lots of benefits to cold water swimming too and you’re sure to feel great after a few laps.

Things to know before you visit

• Parking: There are multiple car parks across Tynemouth and near the beach but visitors are warned that they can get very busy

• Nearby areas to explore: Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, North Shields

• Transport: Tynemouth has its own station which is a short distance from the beach

How many beaches are in the UK?

It might be hard to believe but there are over 1,500 beaches in the UK, so if you live in a big city it’s probably time to plan that road trip as you’re never too far away from a beach. Some of the most popular beaches in the UK include Brighton, Bournemouth and Blackpool where you can have a fun seaside day out without having to step foot on a plane.

Which UK beaches have piers? 

A pier is often one of the main attractions when it comes to a day at the seaside. From arcades to rides to classic seaside food like fish and chips, a beach without a pier probably isn’t as fun as one with one. Brighton, Bournemouth, Blackpool, Hastings, Southend, Weston-Super-Mare and Eastbourne host some of the many classic British piers.

Don’t forget to check out our ONEderlust index for more tips on the best places to travel to in the UK.