Top 10 UK beaches

1. Durdle Door, Dorset
With its geological features, this beautiful beach along the Jurassic Coast is made up of sand and pebbles. The view from the beach looks out to the limestone arch protruding from the cliff, which makes this beach a real gem along the coastline.

2. Holkham, Norfolk
Four miles of unspoilt beauty, Holkham beach is part of the amazing nature reserve and is not to be missed. The vastness of the beach, with the dark green pine forest on one horizon and the rugged North Sea on the other, provides a feast for the eyes, not to mention the amount of diverse wildlife that can be spotted along the way, including wetland birds.

3. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Sea? Check. Sandy beach? Check. Magnificent castle? Check! This beautiful beach in Northumberland lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with Bamburgh castle standing majestically on the basalt cliff side. In addition, the dunes between the beach and the castle are part of a SSSI. Keen wildlife watchers can keep a look out for seals poking their heads out the water.

4. Whistling Sands, Gwynedd, Wales
Walking along this stretch of beach you are sure to hear some whistling from under your feet. The shape of the sand grains strike against your feet to produce this intriguing sound. The beach is beautiful, and the coastal path runs along the top of the cliffs with the surrounding Welsh countryside just a few steps away.

5. Porthcurno, Cornwall
Right at the tip of the land, 3 miles from Land’s End, this beach is home to rich blue waters, golden beaches and a rocky headland sheltering the beach. Whilst walking along the soft sand, you will spot a trickling stream at the top of the beach, adding to the area’s beauty. At low tide you can walk to the lovely Pedn Vounder beach, following the rugged coastline.

6. Bournemouth, Dorset
A city beach, yet a beautiful one, spacious enough for everyone. With its seven miles of glorious sand, each part of the beach offers a different feature. From the pier, to beach huts, to water sports, Bournemouth offers everything. You can also sit back and relax knowing that it is one of the safest beaches in England.

7. Achmelvich, Highlands, Scotland
Beautiful coves of white sand hide here, yet are eagerly found by tourists. And it’s not hard to see why - the award-winning beach of Achmelvich looks out onto clear blue waters, home to dolphins, porpoises and whales in the summer, and is the perfect place to relax.

8. Appletree Bay, Isles of Scilly
On the Isle of Tresco, which makes up part of the Isles of Scilly, can be found the stunning Appletree Bay. It is home to perfect white sand and turquoise sea, as well as exotic flowers that add to the colourful scene.

9. Sandwood Bay, Highlands, Scotland
Only accessible by foot, this beach, which is just over a mile long, offers golden sand, rocky cliffs, and a surprise for its visitors – behind the sand dunes is a freshwater loch adding to the area’s beauty. And if that wasn’t enough, a sea stack stands tall out at sea.

10. Southwold, Suffolk
Walking down towards Southwold beach, you can see colourful beach huts running alongside the back of it, looking out towards the pier. The sand and shingle along this part of the Suffolk Heritage Coast is definitely worth walking along if you have not visited this beach before.