We may not always have the weather to match, but for a little island the UK boasts a formidable number of truly drop dead gorgeous beaches. You want glimmering turquoise water? We’ve got it. Blinding white sand? That too. Spectacular, other-worldly rock formations? You bet. What we’re trying to say is that Britain really does have beaches that rival likes of Spain, Portugal, Greece or Italy.
Every year the World’s 50 Best Beaches asks more than 1,000 travel professionals to vote for their favourite shorelines. No UK beaches made it onto the global ranking but four were named among the 50 best in Europe. We’ll take it.
Kynance Cove
Cornwall’s Kynance Cove (pictured above) came in at number 10. Supposedly the UK’s warmest beach, Time Out staff writer and Cornish local India Lawrence said of the famous bay: ‘With fine white sand, bright turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations sticking out of the sea, on a good day it would be easy to mistake this beach for somewhere far more exciting, like Thailand.’
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno Beach in the west of Cornwall ranked 23rd. With golden sands and headlands that almost give it its own micro-climate, it’s no stranger to being crowned one of Britain’s best bays. Nearby, there’s Minack Theatre, a cliff-edge open-air theatre that looks straight out of ancient Greece and one of Time Out’s most beautiful places in the country.
Achmelvich Beach
Representing Scotland was Achmelvich Beach in the Highlands, which placed 42nd. One of the more isolated spots on the list, it’s beautifully unspoiled, apparently had some of the bluest water of anywhere on the British coast and is a prime spot for spotting dolphins, porpoises and maybe even a minke whale.
Three Cliffs Bay
Finally, just scraping a place on this year’s list was the sprawling Three Cliffs Bay on Wales’ Gower Peninsula, landing in 50th place. You need to scramble a little bit to actually reach the sand (a 400-metre walk down from the car park) but the vast sand dunes, salt marsh and the three limestone cliffs that give the bay it’s name make it well worth the effort.
You can find the top 50 beaches in the world for 2025 in full here and the full European top 50 here.
Itching to feel the sand between your toes? The good news is that here in the UK, you’re never more than around two hours from the sea. So, for even more stunning beaches on your doorstep, check out Time Out’s roundup of the UK’s very best and our guide to our favourite hidden beaches.
ICYMI: The 10 best cheap UK holiday destinations right now.
Plus: One of the world’s most walkable cities is in the UK.
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