Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches In The UK

Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the UK

When people think of Britain, they often imagine grey skies, bitter winds and torrential rains – not all the stunning beaches the British Isles have to offer.

In reality, however, Britain gets its fair share of sun drenched days too, which are perfect for enjoying the country’s coastal areas of outstanding natural beauty. From the well-loved Cornwall coast to the secret sandy spots in Scotland, we've searched high and low to bring you our pick of the best beaches in the UK.

British beaches come in all shapes and sizes, with diverse terrains and microclimates. Here are 10 of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.

List of top 10 most beautiful beaches in the UK

10. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris

9. Three Cliffs Bay, Wales

8. Pentle Bay, Isle of Tresco

7. Traigh Iar, North Uist Island

6. Llanddwyn Island, Wales

5. Moulin Huet, Guernsey

4. Holkham Beach, England

3. Rhossili, Wales

2. Murlough, Northern Ireland

1. Marloes Sands, Wales

Disvover the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the UK

10. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris

Photo: Outer Debris

Luskentrye is a small settlement at the end of a minor single track road that skirts the north side of Traigh Luskentyre. There is vast area of sand dunes on the north side of the bay.

Parking at the end of the road and taking a short walk onto Traigh Rosamul presents a wonderful vista of sea, sky and the north Harris mountains.

Luskentyre Beach looks like a South Pacific paradise (albeit with some fairly chilly temperatures), with its pearly-white sands and placid, cerulean-blue waters that meet crisp, cloudless skies. Luskentyre in fact lines the western coast of the Isle of Harris – just off the north-western tip of Scotland – and it’s blissfully secluded and peaceful, with panoramic views of the ocean that make it seem as if it clings to the edge of the world.

9. Three Cliffs Bay, Wales

Photo: Wikipedia

The Three Cliffs Beach at Gower in Swansea is scenic, sandy beach, backed by three limestone cliffs is a spectacular shoreline of sand dunes, salt marsh and encrusted with rock pools. With Pennard Pill stream running through the beach and panoramic views from the cliffs, it's one of the most photographed areas in Gower.

Three Cliffs Bay beach offers a particularly photogenic part of the Wales Coast Path and a great spot to stop for a picnic.

Individual beaches that make up this bay have their own names, including Pobbles Bay to the east of the Three Cliffs, and Tor Bay to the west. The beaches are separated at high tide but are accessible to each other at low tide on foot over the sands. Paths lead north to Pennard Burrows, east to Pobbles, and west to Tor Bay. Pobbles and Tor Bay are also accessible from the beach at low tide. Three Cliffs Bay is effectively part of the inlet of Oxwich Bay. At low tide, Three Cliffs Bay forms a continuous sandy beach with Oxwich Bay beach to the west. They only exist as separate beaches at high tide.

8. Pentle Bay, Isle of Tresco

Photo: Cornwall Beaches

Pentle Bay has everything you would expect from a Scilly island beach; white sand, clear blue sea and barely another soul to be seen. The half mile crescent of sand is backed by low dunes and faces into the shallow and sheltered waters of the east coast of Tresco.

One thing that keeps the beach at Pentle Bay special is that it is located on the opposite shore to where the boats land and Tresco Abbey. Despite the fact it is only around 10-20 minutes walk, the fact there are so many other beautiful beaches on Tresco means that only a few make it this far.

While tourists flock to Cornwall’s picturesque beaches and charming towns, few venture as far as the Isles of Scilly, even though they lie just a little way off shore. The Isles have to be reached by ferry (or small plane) but the journey carries amazing rewards. The archipelago comprises five inhabited islands and hundreds more tiny islets. At Pentle Bay, on the Isle of Tresco, rugged grassland lines a narrow and immaculate white sand beach where the waters shimmer in a hundred different shades of blue.

7. Traigh Iar, North Uist Island

Photo: Outer Debris

The beach has white sand, made up from broken shells. The machair runs parallel to the beach and is ideal for walking. It is a haven for wildlife, such as the elusive corncrake and in the summer months the machair is peppered with an assorted variety of wildflowers, including rare orchids.

There is an ethereal beauty to Traigh Iar beach, in a far-flung corner of the United Kingdom. Situated on the western side of North Uist Island, off the western coast of Scotland, Traigh Iar is a serene, crescent-shaped beach lined with the Hebrides’ distinctive and beautiful machair terrain. Cattle and wild horses graze around the occasional thatched-roofed cottage. The beach is wonderfully secluded, the waters still and the island air pure. A ferry runs from Skye regularly.

6. Llanddwyn Island, Wales

Photo: BBC

Ynys Llanddwyn is a small tidal island off the west coast of Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn), northwest Wales. The nearest town is Newborough.

The island is of geological interest with pillow lava, jasper formations and aeolian sand deposits.

The island forms part of the National Nature Reserve of Newborough Warren which includes the extensive and floristically rich sand dune system.

Ynys Llanddwyn is a tidal island; it remains attached to the mainland except at high tide. It provides views of Snowdonia and the Llŷn Peninsula.

The island is rich in legends, in particular in its association with Dwynwen. The name Llanddwyn means "The church of St. Dwynwen". Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, making her the Welsh equivalent of St. Valentine. Her Saint's day is 25 January and is often celebrated by the Welsh with cards and flowers. The island bears the ruined remains of St Dwynwen's Church.

5. Moulin Huet, Guernsey

Photo: Visit Guernsey

Guernsey is a small island in the English Channel which belongs to Britain, but is geographically closer to the French coast of Normandy. Guernsey is accessible from England via the super-fast Condor ferry and boasts stunning beaches, including Vazon, Cobo and Grandes. Moulin Huet is an intimate and charming little cove that just might be the island’s most idyllic. A small inlet sheltered by dark cliffs and scattered with large rock formations, this pretty seaside spot was frequented by French impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir who spent the summer of 1883 sketching it.

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4. Holkham Beach, England

Photo: Holkham Beach

The beach at Holkham is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful stretches of sand in the country. Behind the shoreline lies a semi-circular basin, which, at very high tides, rapidly fills to form a spectacular shallow lagoon. The actress Gwyneth Paltrow walked across Holkham sand at low tide during the closing scenes of the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’.

Holkham National Nature Reserve, one of the largest in the country, is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. The Holkham Estate is one of a select few privately owned estates to have been awarded Approved Body Status under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act which has, since July 2017, enabled it to manage its own land whilst the beach is managed by Natural England in partnership with Holkham.

Holkham beach was recently voted ‘Best Beach in the UK’ in a survey of travel writers.

3. Rhossili, Wales

Photo: Visit Wales

Rhossili Bay is the first beach to be awarded Britain’s Best Beach by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice for the second year running, not to mention the 3rd best beach in Europe and 9th best in the world! Rhossili has also been described as ‘The supermodel of British beaches’ by The Independent and has also won accolades from UK Travel Writers and awards for being the best spot to have a picnic! And The Times nominated Rhossili as ‘The UK's No.1 dog-friendly beach’.

At low tide there is a huge expanse of beach. It is possible to walk across the bay to Llangennith or even cross onto the Worms Head. When crossing over to Worm's Head, please report to the Coastwatch Centre before you go. If your return journey is cut off by high tide, it is very important that you do not attempt to swim back to shore. There is always some sand, even at high tide. It is very popular with surfers. Many different birds nest on the cliffs, so don't forget your binoculars.

There is a very steep walk down to the beach so it may not be suitable for pushchairs or anyone who has difficulty walking. Refreshments and parking 400 yards. Dogs are allowed.

2. Murlough, Northern Ireland

Photo: Ireland Highlights

Murlough Nature Reserve lies on the coast of County Down in Northern Ireland, situated close to Newcastle. It has views of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay. Its 6,000-year-old sand dune system has been managed by the National Trust since 1967, when it became Ireland's first nature reserve.

At 697 acres, it is the most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes. Breeding birds include meadow pipit, skylark, cuckoo, stonechat, linnet and reed bunting. Shorehauling grey seal and common seals are also common in the area. Between 50 and 130 common and grey seals regularly use the area for moulting, resting and feeding. Rare plants local to the site are pyramidal orchid and carline thistle.

It also has access to a shingle beach and four mile Blue Flag strand.

1. Marloes Sands, Wales

Photo: Visit Wales

Escape to the Marloes Peninsula, a hidden gem nestled on the very western edge of Pembrokeshire. Stunning seascapes and a wealth of wildlife are waiting to greet you.

The Marloes Peninsula combines dramatic coastal scenery and safe bathing on golden sands. You can look out for seabirds and seals and the remains of ancient peoples. There are walks for all abilities starting from the National Trust car parks at Marloes Sands and Martins Haven.

The boat for nearby Skomer Island leaves from the tiny harbour of Martin's Haven.

The geology is spectacular, including both sandstones and volcanic rocks with folds, faults and jagged rocks. An iron age fort on Gateholm that was the subject of a Time Team dig overlooks Marloes Sands, one of Pembrokeshire's finest beaches.

Green Coast and Seaside Award beach. Parking is approx. 0.5 mile - National Trust car park. Dogs are allowed. Nearest facilities can be found in Marloes village which has a shops, pub, restaurant and café/bar.

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