Enjoying the best beaches the UK has to offer

There’s something incredibly relaxing about hearing about the slosh of the sea against the shore and the feeling of sand between toes. When you’re dreaming about your next beach holiday you might be assuming you need to hop on a plane to find the sun and sand you’re dreaming of, but the UK is bursting with excellent beaches and lovely seaside resorts.

Discover how to find some of the UK’s best beaches and create a ‘bucket and spade’ list that’s sure to have you packing your flip flops in no time.

Visiting the loveliest beaches in the UK

When you’re looking for brilliant beaches, start your search in Devon. Home to Studland Beach, Blackpool Sands, Woolacombe, Croyde Bay and more, it offers a fabulous selection of beautiful shores to choose from. To find out more about Devon’s 33 stunning beaches, have a look at this handy guide from the BBC. For more fantastic beaches and coves, take a trip to Cornwall. There, you’ll find the 250 miles of coastline to explore. Find the best beach for your trip with the help of the Cornwall Beach Guide, which features tips such as the best areas for surfing or most dog friendly beaches.

The Isle of Wight is another great place to find pretty shorelines and seaside fun. Kent is also an excellent choice for beach-lovers, with many of its beaches boasting blue flag status. Find out more about the variety of coastal paradise’s on offer by perusing Kent Life’s guide to the best beaches. To read some feedback from real beachgoers as well as a list of all of the country’s best – and worst – beaches, spend some time browsing British Beaches.

There are also plenty of beautiful beaches to tempt you north of the boarder. Ponder a few of Scotland’s Best Beaches as chosen by Travel Scotland, from Saltcoats near Glasgow to Portobello Beach just outside of Edinburgh. The Fife coast also boasts some of the country’s most charming seaside spots, including the beaches of St Andrews and Burntisland, so discover more at Visit Fife.

Planning your UK beach break

To make sure that the beach you’re planning on visiting is as safe and clean as you’d like it to be, check its credentials on the Good Beach Guide. This popular compilation shows you the water quality of any given UK beach and also offers information on everything from activities to travel and facilities.

If your idea of a perfect beach includes empty stretches of sand and plenty of peace and quite, The Guardian’s list of the UK’s best quiet beaches is sure to be right up your street. It lists some real gems chosen by experts and you’re sure to find a scenic yet peaceful spot to lay down your towel. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a beach experience but don’t have time to get out of the city, broaden your horizons with the help of the Metro’s guide to urban beaches.