10 more of Britain’s best beaches

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• published: 23 Jan 2016
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When we wrote an article earlier this year featuring some of our top picks from across the UK and Ireland we received lots of feedback on our selection. Some of you were please (Saunton Sands, Tenby, spot on) some of you doubted our wisdom (where was the Gower Peninsula??) whilst others offered insightful local knowledge and alternatives. So, here are ten more of Britain’s best coastal spots, as suggested by you, our lovely readers. See if yours is on the list and if not, leave any suggestions in the comment box at the end. 1. Rhossili Bay, Wales Ok, we admit, its omission from the original list was a mistake: Rhossili, considered ‘the supermodel of British beaches’ by The Independent, is a beaut! Three miles of golden sands, picturesque picnic areas, some awesome surf and water sports spots – it’s no wonder it’s been voted Britain’s best beach by TripAdvisor and ninth in the world! This stunning beach is just one of a number of glorious seashores along the Gower Peninsula in south Wales. 2. Margate, Kent A family favourite in the 1960s which subsequently becoming a by-word for kiss-me-quick seaside tat, Margate has undergone a facelift in recent years. New restaurants and hotels have been popping-up all over town and the latest addition designed to draw the crowds to Britain’s original seaside is a £30m renovated Dreamland Pleasure Park. 3. Whitby, Yorkshire Surrounded by the wilds of the North York Moors National Park, fringed by some of Britain’s most beautiful bays, Whitby is a charming place to explore. Once an important sea port, there are plenty of fine fishing villages in the area to discover, such as Robin Hood’s Bay which is just a short 13 minute drive or a two hour coastal walk from Whitby centre. 4. Gott Bay, Isle of Tiree, Scotland Stretching from the ferry terminal to Ruaig and Soa, Gott Bay is one of Scotland’s most stunning sandy spots, located on the east coast of Tiree up in Argyll and The Isles. Tiree is nicknamed the Hawaii of the north and whilst we can’t promise the same sizzling temperatures as the American island state, it’s definitely got the waves. 5. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire Another award-winner on the list, Barafundle recently bagged the 2015 Green Coast Award for being one of Britain’s tidiest beaches. Getting down to the bay is a bit of a walk (it’s half a mile from the nearest car park at Stackpole Quay) and the steps from the clifftop make it unsuitable for wheelchairs or tiny tots in prams, but once you’re on the sand the spectacular views will banish any thoughts of the hike back to the top. 6. Achmelvich Beach, Highlands, Scotland Achmelvich flies the blue flag for Scottish beaches. The nearest town is Lochinver, three miles south of the coast, and the town is accessed by a single track dirt road that leads from the coastal B869 route. With a handful of camping and caravan parks in Auchmelvich, there are few self-catered accommodation options for staying in the area. 7. St. Ives Bay, Cornwall Also known as_ Cammas an Tewyn_ in Cornish, which means ‘bay of sand dunes’, you can imagine the views that greet you as you pull off the B3301 coast road and on to the seafront at any point between Godrevy and Hayle. Explore the coast on foot by following the South West Coast Path which loops the bay, turning inland at Hayle Estuary. 8. Sandown Beach, Isle of Wight Forget the festival, the Isle of Wight’s got much more to offer: from families looking for a great spot to start their own sand castle kingdom, to couples looking for a romantic getaway that won’t leave them out of pocket. Sandown Beach is the quintessential British seaside town, with its esplanade lined with chip shops and sweet stalls flogging sticks of rock sugary enough to rot at least three teeth during your trip. 9. Chesil Beach, Dorset Fun fact: this 18 mile stretch of beautiful British coast is made of over 180 billion pebbles – hats off to the person who had to count them all! Much of it is separated from the mainland by a body of super salty water, known as Fleet Lagoon, and it forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the English Channel that contains evidence for 180 million years of geological history. 10. Southend-on-sea, Essex If you live in London and you’re after a quick seaside fix, then Southend-on-sea is probably one of the most convenient options, just 40 miles east of the city and a turn or two off the M25.