Here in the UK, whilst you can’t always depend on the weather, even in the summer, if you can accept the fact that scorching hot sunshine, clear blue skies, and prolonged heatwaves in the summer are not guaranteed, I can wholeheartedly recommend a staycation by the seaside for your next holiday getaway.
I love the coast, and here in the UK, we have some of the most amazing coastlines, seaside resorts, and beaches that you could ever wish for.
This statement might cause a few heated debates, but I will go on record as saying that we have some of the best beaches in the entire world, right here in the UK. There I said it, and I truly mean it.
There’s something about spending the day by the sea, relaxing on the beach, playing on the penny arcades, being divebombed by genetically modified gulls the size of small dogs whilst you try to eat ice cream and enjoying fresh fish and chips that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.
If you’re thinking of a UK break by the sea but aren’t sure where here are se7en of the best beaches in the UK.
Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
The first beach I have for you today features one of my favourite views – a castle!
Bamburgh Beach, located in Northumberland, is one of the most picturesque beaches on the Northumberland coast.
Featuring amazing views of Bamburgh Castle sitting prominently atop a cliff overlooking the beach, and surrounded by dense green grass, Bamburgh Beach has golden sands and beautiful views out of the North Sea.
Be warned, as it’s the North Sea, the water isn’t exactly warm, even in the summer, but it makes up for this with its natural beauty.
Rhossili Beach, Wales
Next up, why don’t we travel West and go to Wales?
Yes, we’re heading to Gower, Wales, to one of the finest beaches in all of the British Isles.
Rhossili Beach was actually voted as ‘Wales’ Best Beach’ back in 2018, and I can understand why straight away. It’s gorgeous.
With 3 miles of golden sand, clifftops, rolling hills, and surprisingly clear seas from the Atlantic, this beach, which also came 3rd as ‘Britain’s Best Beach’ is a huge hit with surfers.
Constantine Bay, Cornwall
Something tells me that this won’t be the last time that Cornwall gets a mention today.
Cornwall is like its own little country, and with turquoise waters so clear that they’d give the Maldives a run for their money, it’s easy to see why beach lovers can’t get enough of the coastline down here.
The first of Cornwall’s beaches I have for you today is one of the ‘7 Bays for 7 Days’ on the North Cornish Coast.
Situated not far from Padstow, Constantine Bay is a real hidden gem that often gets overlooked in favour of Cornwall’s more famous beaches.
Constantine Bay is one of Cornwall’s best surfing beaches. It features soft golden sands, transparent waters which get very warm in the summer, and spectacular views of the Cornish countryside and coastline.
Best of all is the fact that, because it is lesser-known, it doesn’t get as packed, even during a heatwave.
Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
For me, the North Yorkshire coast is as good as anywhere in the country, and dare I say, the entire world.
I’m obviously not alone in my sentiments because Runswick Bay was actually recently voted as Britain’s Best Beach.
Runswick Bay is located between the fishing villages and towns of Staithes and Whitby respectively, and according to the Sunday Times, is as close to perfection as you can get.
The beach here stretches for miles and is dominated by rugged cliffsides littered with fossils.
Seriously, if you visit Runswick Bay, you’re almost guaranteed to find heaps of fossils, plus you may even get lucky and find some Whitby Jet.
Sandsend Beach, North Yorkshire
If you follow my posts mentioning the coast here in the UK, you’ll know that Whitby is one of my favourite places of all time.
The next beach on my list, though, isn’t quite in Whitby, although if you look closely enough you can still see Whitby Abbey in the distance.
Located in the charming village of Sandsend, a literal stone’s throw from Whitby is Sandsend Beach.
Here, you can collect sea glass, play in the sea, go rock pooling, hunt for fossils, and even play in the beck that flows along the beach as the River Esk meets the sea.
Once you’re finished, be sure to enjoy a delicious crab sandwich from the café, which many consider being the best crab sandwich on the North Yorkshire Coast.
Fistral Beach, Cornwall
Back to beautiful Cornwall now, this time to Newquay and Fistral Beach.
Fistral Beach is one of Europe’s best surfing beaches, offering fantastic waves thanks to the rough Atlantic seas.
As you might expect, the views of the beach and countryside here are absolutely stunning, as along with Cornish farmland and countryside, you can expect cliff faces and jagged rocks.
With miles of soft golden sands, this is the perfect place to enjoy a summer picnic as you relax and listen to the waves roll in and watch the surfers catch some surf.
Watergate Bay, Cornwall
And finally, last but certainly not least, I’m taking you just a few miles down the road, to the gorgeous Watergate Bay.
Located on the North Cornish Coast between Newquay and Porth, this beach features two miles of rolling sands and is backed by caves and cliffs, serving as home to all manner of rare wildlife.
Watergate Bay is another popular surfing spot and actually hosts a series of beach-based sporting events annually, including Polo on the Beach, which is one of the biggest annual summer events in the area.
As always, I can’t recommend somewhere in Cornwall, without recommending a refreshing pint of Cornish Rattler, or a pint of cask Doom Bar ale.
You can’t depend on the weather, but you surely can depend on a good time if you choose one of these se7en beaches! Share your favourite one!
Until next time stay safe, stay curious and don’t stop wandering!
