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Original poster

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?

242 replies

BathNotBath · 08/02/2023 21:26

and why is it the best?

Would like some ideas for where I’ve missed and where I must go. A bucket and spade list.
( Children grown and flown. Got some dogs. Camping good. Like quiet and big skies and peace)

I have a very soft spot and fond memories of Oxwich bay. sand dunes. BBQs and sleeping out. Shooting stars. Miles of empty sand.

OP posts:
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18
ClearMoth · 09/02/2023 15:00

Spain

faffadoodledo · 09/02/2023 15:30

Think the tide is in there, @MammaDoTheHump

It is undoubtedly a beautiful beach.

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Holidays
Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 15:47

Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 00:10

Mellon Udrigle. Traigh Mhor. Coral beach.

Mellon Udrigle - how I hated this beach. We were staying in the croft on the beach and I was 7 months pregnant. Driving through the campsite with the static caravans to get to the croft - it felt like this was where you came when you couldn't afford better. I remember going and sitting in the loo and crying, it was our last holiday on our own before the baby came. It was just to isolated and no I didn't chose to go here someone DH knew had booked it but had a better offer in Italy

Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 15:49

And we took the holiday instead - it was very expensive as well. Two weeks in Devon would have been far cheaper.

Still I did fall in love with Skye which we visited whilst there

Choconut · 09/02/2023 15:53

I like Porth Curno in Cornwall for the fantastic Minack theatre as well as the lovely beach, we saw a seal when we were there.

Woolacombe N Devon because it's huge with dunes as the back to run/slide down and it has a nice little village/town right there with great places to eat and isn't tacky and nasty like so many seaside places (looking at you Ilfracombe).

Bantham/Challaborough S Devon for Burgh Island and just lovely beaches again with no tacky towns.

SeensBeens · 09/02/2023 15:55

I wince every time my favourite beach is mentioned on threads like this. It's getting busier every year, which isn't great as parking is limited and it's forced the council to plan new big car parks nearby, which would swallow up some beautiful land.

Original poster
BathNotBath · 09/02/2023 17:33

Many thanks
my list is nicely full

OP posts:
Useyourfork · 09/02/2023 17:53

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 09/02/2023 04:31

Pembrokeshire has beautiful beaches.

My favourite as a child was the one with the caves, I think it was lidstep haven?
It had these huge pools in the caves that were deep enough to swim in but you could only get to it when the tide was out.

Wells-next-the-sea was another favourite you had to go through a pine woodland to get to it. I went back a couple of years ago and was really disappointed as it had become over crowded and dirty😕 not how I remember.

Autumnnewname · 09/02/2023 18:33

Luskentyre

Beautiful

Alighttouchonthetiller · 09/02/2023 18:52

OhBollocks23 · 08/02/2023 21:59

Bamburgh. And not a beach as such, but the walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is sublime. Does something special to my miserable, hardened soul.

And me.

Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 21:24

Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 15:47

Mellon Udrigle - how I hated this beach. We were staying in the croft on the beach and I was 7 months pregnant. Driving through the campsite with the static caravans to get to the croft - it felt like this was where you came when you couldn't afford better. I remember going and sitting in the loo and crying, it was our last holiday on our own before the baby came. It was just to isolated and no I didn't chose to go here someone DH knew had booked it but had a better offer in Italy

Show quote history

There's isn't a static site at Mellon Udrigle I don't think. There are some lovely wooden lodges on the beach. Is that where you were?

Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 22:04

Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 21:24

There's isn't a static site at Mellon Udrigle I don't think. There are some lovely wooden lodges on the beach. Is that where you were?

Show quote history

30 years ago there were green static caravans that you had to dive past to get to the croft. There were some wooden lodges past the croft, they were not in a good state.

We used to walk along the beach every night, well I'd stagger a few steps but it was difficult on the sand.

I expect I'd see it through different eyes now I probably just didn't appreciate it at the time.

HardStareBear · 09/02/2023 22:29

Pretty much anywhere on the Aberdeenshire coast. No midges because it's on the east, and not a well-known holiday area so the beaches are quiet. Every type of beach from rocks to fine, golden sand.

Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 22:42

Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 22:04

30 years ago there were green static caravans that you had to dive past to get to the croft. There were some wooden lodges past the croft, they were not in a good state.

We used to walk along the beach every night, well I'd stagger a few steps but it was difficult on the sand.

I expect I'd see it through different eyes now I probably just didn't appreciate it at the time.

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It's not at all like that now (you'll be pleased to hear). It was recommended by several Scottish friends, and really is lovely, albeit isolated I agree!

Purplebunnie · 09/02/2023 22:49

Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 22:42

It's not at all like that now (you'll be pleased to hear). It was recommended by several Scottish friends, and really is lovely, albeit isolated I agree!

Show quote history

I'll have to go back and see how it's changed.

DesperatePanda · 09/02/2023 22:50

Ah, Mellon Udrigle! That was a favourite too actually.

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