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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
garlictwist · 09/02/2023 05:10

Runswick Bay is my local beach. Lovely and good for fossils. Bamburgh is probably my favourite though.

puppacup · 09/02/2023 06:11

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

Easy parking though, makes a huge difference!

CaptainMyCaptain · 09/02/2023 07:41

thecatsthecats · 08/02/2023 22:11

My aunt lives there, and I remember James Arthur whinging on about his sad upbringing there and I just thought he was a spoiled cock. It's lovely!

My favourite minor beach is Levenswick, Shetland.

Show quote history

It was brilliant when I was a child but did go badly down hill for a while - unemployment and B&Bs used as homeless accommodation. Probably because , although the beach is amazing, it gets pretty cold and windy and people went abroad instead. Now people are taking short uk breaks again it's been on the up again for a few years.

Interested in this thread?

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Holidays
dad11122 · 09/02/2023 08:12

Piffpaffpoff · 08/02/2023 22:59

north end of Iona

Shhh.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 09/02/2023 08:15

Not telling you!

Missedvocation · 09/02/2023 08:17

Moray coast - 100%. Findhorn, Roseisle, Lossiemouth.

I’ve lived all over, these are the best! Do love Northumberland, Norfolk and Outer Hebs though.

AlanisInMorissons · 09/02/2023 08:20

There are loads of beautiful beaches, my favourites are Runswick Bay, Bamburgh, Holkham and Sea Palling.

The most beautiful for me has to be Sanna Bay.

CosyFanTucci · 09/02/2023 08:20

It's definitely not West Wittering! (As someone who has been there countless times.) It'll be somewhere on the west coast of Scotland where the photos of white sand and turquoise water don't show the temperature of -1C.

puppacup · 09/02/2023 08:22

😆

MischiefTheChicken · 09/02/2023 08:23

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire. It’s a few years since I visited but it was always popular during my childhood and last time I went we had one of the best days out there whilst staying with family. It’s a lovely sandy beach, very clean and unlike a lot of the Lincs coast felt a bit more sheltered without chilly breeze.

Pleased to see lots of votes for the Northumberland coast. I live nearby and Bamburgh is just about my favourite place in this country. If you walk the Northumberland Coast Path you’ll come across some amazing beaches which are local ‘secrets’.

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 09/02/2023 08:24

CosyFanTucci · 09/02/2023 08:20

It's definitely not West Wittering! (As someone who has been there countless times.) It'll be somewhere on the west coast of Scotland where the photos of white sand and turquoise water don't show the temperature of -1C.

Was thinking this. Looks beautiful but surely it's bloody freezing! 🥶

Piffpaffpoff · 09/02/2023 08:25

sizeofahippo · 08/02/2023 23:18

This one, but I can't tell you where it is as I don't want to share!

I can tell from the rocks roughly the vicinity where that is - I have a few round there that I’m not sharing too 😂

Margrethe · 09/02/2023 08:32

The beaches on the outer Hebrides are very similar to the Bahamas. (I’ve been to both.) I am told it is due to the cubic shape of the grains of white sand which reflect sunlight back up through the water.

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
puppacup · 09/02/2023 08:44

What determines a great beach to me isn't just how beautiful it is. Accessibility is important, facilities eg a toilet, parking. How crowded does it get? Is it windy? Is it safe to swim eg not too cold, strong currents etc.

puppacup · 09/02/2023 08:45

The beaches on the outer Hebrides are very similar to the Bahamas. (I’ve been to both.)

not in temperature they are not!

ladyforallseasons · 09/02/2023 08:46

Newgale, Pembrokeshire

RampantIvy · 09/02/2023 08:53

I think officially Barafundle has been recommended as the best beach in the UK. It is lovely, but having spent many holidays in Northumberland I was expecting more. It isn't near any facilities. You have to walk over the headland to get to it, which is probably why it is quieter than other more acessible beaches.

Northumberland has loads of sandy beaches. Druridge Bay and Alnmouth are particularly lovely. I love Tynemouth as well, but I think my favourite is the huge expanse of sand in North Norfolk. When the tide is out it is a long way to the sea from the beginning of the beach at Holkham. Wells next the Sea has a fabulous beach as well. It never feels crowded.

supadupapupascupa · 09/02/2023 09:41

MischiefTheChicken · 09/02/2023 08:23

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire. It’s a few years since I visited but it was always popular during my childhood and last time I went we had one of the best days out there whilst staying with family. It’s a lovely sandy beach, very clean and unlike a lot of the Lincs coast felt a bit more sheltered without chilly breeze.

Pleased to see lots of votes for the Northumberland coast. I live nearby and Bamburgh is just about my favourite place in this country. If you walk the Northumberland Coast Path you’ll come across some amazing beaches which are local ‘secrets’.

The quality of the sand at cleethorpes is fabulous. But it is chilly in that breeze

Margrethe · 09/02/2023 09:50

puppacup · 09/02/2023 08:45

The beaches on the outer Hebrides are very similar to the Bahamas. (I’ve been to both.)

not in temperature they are not!

True!

I actually don’t like heat and humidity- yhe cold temperatures are a plus for me! 😂

MischiefTheChicken · 09/02/2023 10:21

@supadupapupascupa agree it’s a shame about the breeze, there are some nice beaches in Lincolnshire (which is a very overlooked county altogether) but 99% of the time a bit chilly.

MammaDoTheHump · 09/02/2023 10:48

faffadoodledo · 08/02/2023 22:08

Kynance was sand last time I looked, when the tide was low. It's also become a victim of its own Instagram success in the summer. Lately the NT have been turning drivers away when the car park gets full in the holiday months.

The actual COVE bit is stones! Courtesy photo of when I was there for you.

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
MammaDoTheHump · 09/02/2023 10:52

St Ives.

I know it's always hyped, but it truly is a beautiful beach. I've never been to a beach before and felt like I was abroad. The sand is golden and the sea is turquoise, the weather the day this photo was taken was in the late 20's, beautiful weather down in Cornwall in the summer so you can actually enjoy the beach in the heat.

But yes most Cornwall beaches are extremely busy which is the downside!

Where is the absolute best beach in the U.K.?
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 09/02/2023 14:05

MammaDoTheHump · 09/02/2023 10:48

The actual COVE bit is stones! Courtesy photo of when I was there for you.

Show quote history

The sand appears when the tide goes out...

Nagado · 09/02/2023 14:08

Feministwoman · 09/02/2023 01:34

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

Whitesands is beautiful! We were in Dinas a few weeks ago and were advised to visit by a couple who struck up a conversation with my DSiL and it is right up there with one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. We were lucky enough to have glorious blue skies and for it to be warm enough for no coat and it was deserted apart from a few walkers and a woman riding her horse. I could have stayed for hours.

Deathraystare · 09/02/2023 14:58

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads ·
Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris is meant to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It's on my bucket list.

It is! Admittedly I have only seen it in pictures but it looks gorgeous although I am not sure how warm it gets. If it was in the Med it would be jam packed with people!

My Nan's ashes were scattered somewhere in North Harris (Her Pop was from there). I would love to go at some point.