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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
ItisallPooh · 08/02/2023 23:38

Not telling...because I love that it is quiet.

APurpleSquirrel · 08/02/2023 23:42

For sand:
Saunton Sands
Croyde
Putsborough Beach
Woolacombe

  • all North Devon

For shingle/stones:
Charmouth
Lyme Regis
Beer

  • all South Devon
Skyellaskerry · 08/02/2023 23:43

Sanna especially if you walk over from Portuairk and see it from the brow of the path on a sunny day

Balnahard on Colonsay

North Uist - too many!

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Holidays
Cam22 · 08/02/2023 23:45

Scarista, Isle of Harris.

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
maximist · 08/02/2023 23:47

Trearddur Bay on Anglesey. Just perfect.

Nagado · 08/02/2023 23:48

Riverlee · 08/02/2023 21:34

Sand or stones?

You could do a tour of Kent -

sandy - Camber sands, Joss bay, Margate, Dymchurch etc - all have very different vibes

stone - Whistable, etc

I love Kent’s coastline, I really do. I’m happy to sit by the sea in rain or shine. But it’s pushing it to the realms of fantasy to suggest our beaches are up there with the best.

Between the tourists gridlocking the roads, not understanding the concept of tides and getting arsey with the locals because they won’t let them in their houses to use the loo, the raw sewage being pumped into the sea, the pollution from the busy shipping lanes, the view of the nuclear power station, the small boats landing from Calais, the amount of concrete at Dymchurch, the constant smell of weed and the different music blasting from each family group, all trying to drown out the others, the kamikaze seagulls, the middle classes desperately trying to gentrify Margate while the locals desperately resist being gentrified, our beaches could only be described as lovely if all the people stayed away.

WetLettuce2 · 08/02/2023 23:48

Wales has the best beaches !

And Newborough in Anglesea is the best Welsh beach 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

JohnnyYenSetHimselfOnFireAgain · 08/02/2023 23:48

Another shout for Woolacombe in North Devon here.

HoppyHop · 08/02/2023 23:49

mafsfan · 08/02/2023 21:52

Aberdovey ❤️

Love it there 😍

pattihews · 08/02/2023 23:52

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.

Oxwich bay certainly wasn't miles of empty sand during last year's hot summer. The area near the car park was rammed each weekend. Usually if you walk a few hundred yards you can escape, but last year you'd have had to go half a mile to get away from the crowds. We saw the queue to get into the packed car park and drove back to central Swansea, parked up in the centre of town and walked to a less crowded area of beach there. From the marina to Mumbles there must be three miles of golden sand but for some reason a lot of people in the area drive out to the Gower.

MrsMoastyToasty · 08/02/2023 23:55

Calgary beach on Mull. (We're lucky enough to have family on Mull so it's only an hours drive from their house.
Mill Bay in the Salcombe estuary.

The worst beach is probably Severn Beach. Total misnamed as its just Severn estuary mud and a view of the motorway bridges to Wales.

Chenford · 08/02/2023 23:58

Just seen, OP, you prefer stones so this won’t do, but it’s Holkham for me. Idyllic.

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
DuchessOfMuck · 08/02/2023 23:59

There's 7 miles of gorgeous golden sand peering over the Atlantic at Benone on the North Coast of Northern Ireland.

beachcitygirl · 09/02/2023 00:01

Barra

fairtrauchled · 09/02/2023 00:02

Another vote for Harris

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
Ohifyouinsist · 09/02/2023 00:10

Mellon Udrigle. Traigh Mhor. Coral beach.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 09/02/2023 00:16

I agree that Camber Sands would have been amazing, but for the sewage!

Sheringham is lovely - we prefer the East Prom to the West, though.

Ireallydohope · 09/02/2023 01:12

West Wittering is just a huge expanse of sand so I wouldn't exactly call it a beautiful beach per se

Kynance cove is stunningly beautiful in comparison

Ireallydohope · 09/02/2023 01:16

I guess that just means I prefer a cove with my beaches

Feministwoman · 09/02/2023 01:34

Like you, @BathNotBath Oxwich
Or Whitesands ( St Davids.)
Welsh beaches are THE BEST

Feministwoman · 09/02/2023 01:36

Although

Pembryn, Llangrannog, Newport, Poppit Sands, all wonderful

(can you tell I'm from Welsh parents?)

LinesAndDot · 09/02/2023 02:18

Watching!

EdvardMunchsMuse · 09/02/2023 02:24

Rhosilli, beautiful even when it's raining.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 09/02/2023 04:31

Pembrokeshire has beautiful beaches.

mozzyworries · 09/02/2023 05:05

Trudij123 · 08/02/2023 22:19

Any of them in Cornwall. Special mentions for Porth Curno and Pedn Voudner as well as Kynance Cove on the south and Perranporth, Holywell and Crantock on the north coast. So so many though and mostly dog friendly.

This absolutely!

I can't believe people are saying West Wittering, I thought it was rubbish. Hard, compacted sand and not beautiful at all.