Britain has some truly spectacular coastlines. Sure, a day out to the seaside in the UK usually involves pebbly shores, blustery weather and water so cold it actually hurts, but there is no shortage of excellent stretches of British coast – just take a look at Time Out’s list of the best beaches in the UK.
And it’s not just us that backs Britain’s beaches. Tour company Big 7 Travel has just published the 2025 edition of its list of the best beaches in the entire world, and it lists four UK beaches among sandy destinations in Australia, Thailand and Greece.
Not-that-surprisingly, Scotland takes the top UK spot. Next time you’re up that way, head to Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris (pictured above), which Big 7 Travel ranked at number 12 worldwide. Think powdery white sand, glassy blue water and a truly jaw-dropping landscape. You may need a fleece instead of flip-flops, but on a sunny day Luskentyre is about as close to the Maldives as the UK is going to get.
Unsurprisingly, Cornwall also gets a look in. More specifically: Porthcurno Beach – which comes in at number 20. Sheltered by high granite cliffs, it’s one of those rare UK beaches that actually looks as good in real life as it does on Instagram. You can swim, sunbathe or just sit smugly at Porthcurno knowing you’re on a global top 20 beach that doesn’t require a passport.
Next up, and coming in at not-to-be-sniffed-at 28th place, is Whitesands Beach in Pembrokeshire. Whitesands is the Welsh coastline at its finest: sweeping coastline, clear water and (as the name suggests) white sands. It’s Blue Flag certified, big enough to feel peaceful even in summer, and excellent for swimming.
And finally for the UK, Alum Chine in Bournemouth makes the list at number 39. A proper gem on the south coast of England, it’s known for its warmer water (by UK standards), its tidy stretch of sand and its easy access to Bournemouth Pier. Alum Chine is Blue Flag certified too, which basically means the water’s clean, the beach is safe, and someone’s remembered to empty the bins. You can try watersports, grab an ice cream or just sit back with some fish and chips and pray the sun holds out.
So there you have it. Four British beaches are officially world-class. We might not have palm trees, coconuts, or even any guarantee of sun - but it turns out our beaches have the charm, character and aesthetics to sit amongst the greats. The more you know!
Find Big 7 Travel’s list in full here.
The best beaches in the UK, according to Time Out.
Plus: The best seaside town in the UK to visit this summer.
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