Britain's best beaches

With its golden sand and shallow waters, this beach near Tenby is a local favourite – and is located right on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. While its summertime joys are plentiful, such as sunbathing, paddling and sandcastle-building, it is also a spectacular location for winter walks and photography, with plenty of cosy pubs nearby. Saundersfoot is a ‘Blue Flag’ beach, thanks to its cleanliness, facilities and safety. 

We love the traditional English seaside resort of Skegness, Lincolnshire, with its wide sandy beach. Enjoy a day on its glorious golden sand, take a traditional donkey ride, try a round of crazy golf, or a go on the fairground attractions. Walk along the pier, have some fish and chips, or visit one of the many neighbouring beaches, too.

Stretching for almost three miles (4.8km), this golden-sand beach is renowned for its clean waters and excellent facilities, and has even been awarded a sought-after Blue Flag award. It’s a favourite location for wild swimming, watersports, summer sandcastles and refreshing walks. Look out for the 4,500-year-old stumps of a long-petrified forest, an eerie landscape which is sometimes revealed at low tide. 

Watched over by the famous tower, Blackpool’s golden sands have delighted generations of beachgoers. Grab an ice cream from Notarianni Ices and stroll along the seafront, enjoy a donkey ride or dip your toes in the waves. 

If you can drag yourself away from the links, this sandy beach is a family favourite. Whether it’s rockpooling, paddling or the fun of the fair, there’s plenty for kids (and big kids) to love.

With seven miles (11km) of award-winning sands offering water sports, family fun and epic coastal views, Bournemouth’s beaches beckon. Boasting several Blue Flag beaches, including Southbourne, Durley Chine and Fisherman’s Walk Beach, grab your bucket and spade and hit the sand. From Bournemouth to Christchurch and Poole you’ll find bars and restaurants, quieter areas and beach huts galore. 

Explore Brighton’s beachfront with its iconic pier, colourful beach huts, the Artists’ Quarter galleries, independent traders and Sea Life aquarium. After dark, hit the clubs and bars beneath the Victorian beachfront for cocktails and dancing.

It’s one of Britain’s best beaches, and long, sandy Woolacombe, with its super surf and clear water, is a hit with both surfers and families who flock here through the summer. With plenty of space and parking, laid-back Woolacombe Beach has something for everyone, including lively neighbouring Woolacombe village, with its many places to stay and eat and access to the South West Coast Path.