British beaches
25 beautiful UK beaches to visit right now
Looking for a beach near you? From the spectacular Isles of Scilly and the rugged shores of the Scottish Highlands to England's dreamy south coast, here's our pick of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
Best places to go fossil hunting in the UK: these are the best spots to unearth prehistoric gems
From the Jurassic Coast to North Yorkshire's crumbling east shores, our guide explores the best beaches in the UK to find fossils
Filey and Speeton Sands, North Yorkshire: What to see and do
Whether strolling along Filey's award-winning beach or exploring the geological wonders of Speeton Sands, these destinations offer a perfect blend of relaxation and coastal adventure.
Beachcombing guide: what to find on the seashore, plus the best beaches to search
Extraordinary and beautiful treasures can be found along the British coastline. Here is our expert guide to beachcombing, including things to look out for, how to get started and the best beaches for beachcombing in the UK.
Three Cliffs Bay walk, Gower
Follow a footpath past bone-filled caves, a romantic ruin and a winding river, down to a beach bathed in sunlight
Rhossili Bay walk, Gower
A 7.8-mile return walk from the sweeping sands of Rhossili Bay to the dramatic cavern of Paviland Cave on the Gower Peninsula.
Bamburgh Castle: history, beach, The Last Kingdom, and how to visit
Find out everything you need to know about Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland – including its history, filming, ticket prices, opening times and how to explore Bamburgh Beach – with our visitor's guide.
UK sand dune guide: best dunes to visit and wildlife to identify
Britain's sand dunes are teeming with wildlife, including hardy wildflowers butterflies and coastal birds. Learn more with our expert sand dunes guide, including wildlife identification and dunes to visit.
Dunraven Bay, Vale of Glamorgan
Seek rockpools, fossils and a reviving swim at this wonder of the Welsh coast
Pwll Du Bay walk, Gower
Discover one of Gower’s most beautiful beaches on this short there-and-back-again walk from the village of Kittle to Pwll Du Bay
Newborough Beach, Anglesey: what to see and do
Explore sand dunes rich in wildflowers, a forest-backed beach and a romantic island on the south coast of Anglesey with BBC Countryfile Magazine's guide to Newborough Beach, Newborough Warren, Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Island.
Join the Great British Beach Clean 2022
Don't live near the sea? You can still join the Great British Beach Clean this September as the Marine Conservation Society launches its Source to Sea Litter Quest.
Rockpooling guide: how to get started, where to go, and essential equipment
Rockpooling is a traditional summertime seaside activity, but you can explore the hidden world of the sea's fascinating creatures at anytime of the year. Discover how to get started, essential equipment and the best places to go in our expert guide.
Day out: Crosby Beach, Merseyside
Antony Gormley’s Another Place has proven to be a controversial piece of modern sculpture
since its installation in 2005. Visit these dramatic cast-iron figures.
Day out: Pettico Wick, Berwickshire
Scotland’s serrated south-eastern coastline is a wildlife haven, perfect for birding and scuba diving, then watching fiery sunsets from its shores
Walk: South Shields to Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
On a sunny day, Tyne and Wear’s magnificent east shores are reminiscent of Portugal’s Algarve, with the bonus of a unique restaurant, lime kilns, two lighthouses and a labyrinth.
Britain's best family-friendly beaches
From puffin spotting and surf schools, to kite-flying and tide-filled paddling pools, here is our pick of the best family-friendly beaches in the UK.
Day out: Anderby Creek Beach, Lincolnshire
Wrap up warm for a windy walk along an unspoilt Lincolnshire beach
Walk: Port Castle Bay and St Ninian’s Cave, Dumfries and Galloway
Discover an ancient seaside hermitage on Scotland’s historic Machars peninsula
Coldingham Bay, Scottish Borders
Head to Scotland’s eastern shores for a morning of seabird watching before dipping your toes into the lapping waves of a sheltered bay
Walk: Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, Glamorgan
Home to Wales’ tallest sand dune, a hotbed of history, a haven for rare plants and insects and the set
of a 1960s blockbuster, Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve has real star quality
Virtual escapes: Britain's shimmering shores
Discover magical marine life, beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring clifftops with our stay-at-home guide to the UK's most spectacular coastlines.
Walk: Sandwood Bay, Sutherland
Explore glorious Sandwood Bay in Sutherland on this 12-mile hike across wild moors and through mighty dunes
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Beat the traffic by arriving at this dune-backed sandy beach by bike in a gentle ride across Romney Marsh to Camber Sands.